Where to Buy a Parrot in Lagos (and How to Buy Safely)

The safest place to buy a parrot in Lagos is from a seller who lets you see the bird, answers questions about its age, diet and health honestly, and stays reachable after you pay. That rules out more sellers than you'd think. Here's how to choose.

Your options in Lagos

• **Established pet shops and breeders.** You can see the bird and ask questions. Quality varies, so use the checklist below.
• **Online marketplaces.** Cheap listings, but many sellers disappear after payment and photos are often not of the actual bird.
• **Roadside and market sellers.** Common in Lagos, and the most likely source of wild-caught or sick birds. Avoid.
• **Clawfrican.** We list every bird with its species, age, sex and personality on our available birds page, deliver nationwide, and answer questions after you buy.

Questions to ask before you pay

• How old is the bird, and what is it eating now?
• Was it bred in captivity? Does it have a closed leg ring?
• Is the sex known? For species where males and females look alike, only a DNA test can tell.
• Can I see the bird on a live video call before paying?
• What happens if the bird falls sick in the first days?

Red flags

• A price far below everyone else's, especially for African greys
• "It was caught in the bush" or "it just arrived from the village"
• A bird sitting fluffed up and sleepy in the daytime, with dirty feathers around the vent
• A seller who promises the bird will talk. Nobody can promise that

What about "talking parrots"?

Many people search for a talking parrot in Lagos. Talking is learned over months, and some birds never talk much. A good seller sells you a tame, friendly bird and tells you how to teach it. At Clawfrican, tame and friendly is what we guarantee.

The first 30 days at home

• Keep a new bird away from other birds for 30 days.
• Book a check with a vet who treats birds. Find one on PetMap.
• Switch off the ceiling fan before the bird comes out of the cage, every time.
• Keep the cage out of the kitchen and away from afternoon sun and the generator.

Ready to look?

Browse our available birds, from budgies and lovebirds to cockatiels, conures, eclectus and macaws. Not sure which species fits your home? Read Parrot Price in Nigeria and the best quiet pet birds for Nigerian apartments.