The Most Expensive Birds in History

The most expensive birds in history have not necessarily been exotic or extremely eye-catching birds. In fact, most of them are birds that wouldn’t stand out so much if they are seen in the wild or a pet shop. Keep on reading and find out which the most expensive birds are in history!

Selection Criteria for the Most Expensive Birds in History

Birds and all other animals are valuable to humans for subjective reasons. One of the variables that determine the value of a collector’s bird is its relative rarity. Following the law of supply and demand, the more scarce something is, the greater its value. Therefore, many collectors are willing to pay exorbitant amounts to get these birds.

 

However, global biodiversity is declining rapidly for several reasons. These rare birds are in danger of extinction, so their trade is severely punished. For this reason, endangered birds will not be included in the list. This prevents activity from being encouraged by providing a platform that can inform traffickers.

Some of the Most Expensive Birds in History

Most of the birds on this list are surprisingly normal. They do not have exuberant, flashy plumages; are not either large or exotic. They are small, mundane birds that are nevertheless of great value for people who know a lot about the topic. Some of these birds are:

California Duck (623.289 EUR)

 

This duck is very interesting for its colorful plumage and its pleasant temperament. It is a desirable addition to populate the ponds of parks and zoos, in addition to serving as poultry. In the wild, it has migratory patterns that make it disappear for months at a time. Despite its name, it is found not only in the state of California but in most of the United States.

American Goldfinch (673.153 EUR)

 

The American Goldfinch is a small yellow bird with a topknot and black wings. It is migratory and is found in most of the continental United States. They have a conical beak that helps them eat their favorite food, wild fruits. In the winter they descend to Mexico from as high as southern Canada and then return in the summer. It is during this time that they reproduce.

Northern Cardinal (712.400 EUR)

 

This bird is the traditional cardinal that many know. Its plumage is a total and deep red which makes them very peculiar and eye-catching. In spite of their name, they are found in much of the American continent, even in South America. They feed mainly on the sunflower and its seeds and have a special beak to open them.

Mountain Bluebird (756.926 EUR)

 

It is another bird that is well known because of the uniformity of its plumage. The bluebirds have a light blue plumage as its name indicates and they also have faint white strokes. It is an omnivorous bird since it feeds on berries, fruits, insects and seeds.

Northern Oriole (756.926 EUR)

 

The northern oriole or Baltimore oriol is a bird that inhabits the northern parts of the globe. Although it is a migratory bird, it never drops much during the winter and can withstand low temperatures. In the mating season, it can be found in the state of New England where they make their nests.

Flamingo (890.481 EUR)

 

Perhaps it is the most recognized bird on the list, and the most exotic. Flamingo is native to South America and it is found in torrid areas where they feed on freshwater aquatic mollusks. They have very long legs and necks, making them relatively large birds, despite being slender and stylized. They are generally aquatic, so they cannot live anywhere without previous precautions.

Who Can Afford the Most Expensive Birds in History?

It is common to imagine that someone who buys these birds is an eccentric magnate with more money than he can spend, and it wouldn’t be completely wrong, there are very wealthy people with particular likes such as collecting birds. This interest can come from a genuine like for animals or as a form of waste and luxury. Anyway, it is something that few people can afford.

 

However, a very good part of the purchases of these expensive birds does not come from private individuals. Most purchases of expensive birds are made by sanctuaries, foundations, zoos, and conservatories. Many of these institutions have an interest in displaying biodiversity for educational purposes to the general public.

 

These institutions also generally have funds sponsored by the public and private sectors. This allows them to make certain costly acquisitions in a planned manner for an eye-catching and extensive exhibition. Expensive bird breeders generally sell to these institutions, thus being able to maintain the business.

 

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