Can You Own a Parrot in Arkansas? What Bird Owners Need to Know
August 30, 2026
If you are wondering whether you can own a parrot in Arkansas, the short answer is yes for most species, and no special paperwork is required for many of the birds sold in pet stores. Arkansas treats parrots as wildlife under state law, but it also maintains one of the more permissive exotic bird policies in the country. That said, a handful of popular species, along with federal rules on international trade and disease control, can complicate an otherwise simple purchase.
Before you bring home an African grey, a macaw, or a smaller conure, it helps to know exactly where Arkansas draws the line between an unrestricted pet and a bird that needs a state permit. This guide walks through the legal categories, the species that face extra scrutiny, and the penalties you could face for skipping the paperwork.
Pro Tip: Always verify a species against the current Arkansas Game and Fish Commission list before purchasing, since regulations are updated periodically and pet store staff are not always current on wildlife codes.
Is It Legal to Own a Parrot in Arkansas
Parrot ownership is legal in Arkansas for the vast majority of commonly kept species. The state’s regulatory framework comes from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which oversees captive wildlife under Code 9.02. Exotic birds kept as pets, including parrots and their relatives, are considered wildlife and fall under AGFC captive wildlife regulations, since all non-domestic animal species are classified as wildlife in Arkansas, whether native or exotic, free-ranging or captive-born.
That classification sounds intimidating, but in practice it works in bird owners’ favor. Arkansas divides captive wildlife into three groups: species that are unrestricted, species that need a permit or special approval, and species that are prohibited outright. The unrestricted list includes numerous parrot species, many lizard genera, various snake species, and select exotic birds, with over 85 exotic bird species able to be bred, sold, and imported without permits following regulation updates in February 2019.
This means most of the birds featured in a typical breakdown of different types of parrots can be purchased and kept in Arkansas without a wildlife permit, as long as they were obtained legally and from a documented source. The exceptions are narrow but important, and they center on a couple of species with a documented history of establishing wild populations.
Which Parrot Species Face Restrictions in Arkansas
Two species stand out as the main exceptions to Arkansas’s otherwise open approach to pet parrots. Popular parrot species like blue-and-gold macaws, African grey parrots, and cockatoos often appear on the unrestricted list, though Quaker parrots and rose-ringed parakeets require permits because escaped birds have shown the ability to establish wild populations in North America. The Quaker parrot, also called the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), and the rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) are both cold-hardy, adaptable birds that can survive and breed outside captivity in ways that tropical species like macaws typically cannot.
The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is one of the unrestricted species and is frequently mentioned among the best talking parrots available in the pet trade. Similarly, the blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna) sits comfortably on the unrestricted list and ranks among the biggest parrots commonly kept as companions. Cockatoos, which are native to Australia and nearby islands, also fall under the unrestricted category, making them a good entry point if you are exploring Australian parrots as potential pets.
Amazon parrots, including the popular blue-fronted Amazon parrot, are also unrestricted in Arkansas, along with most of the other birds covered in a general overview of types of Amazon parrots. If you are drawn to brightly colored companions, several unrestricted species covered in a guide to yellow parrots are legal to own without a state permit as well. The eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus), known for the striking color difference between males and females, likewise falls outside the restricted list, so anyone curious about eclectus parrots can pursue one without extra licensing.
| Species | Restriction Status in Arkansas | Permit Needed |
|---|---|---|
| African grey parrot | Unrestricted | No |
| Blue-and-gold macaw | Unrestricted | No |
| Umbrella cockatoo | Unrestricted | No |
| Blue-fronted Amazon parrot | Unrestricted | No |
| Eclectus parrot | Unrestricted | No |
| Quaker parrot (monk parakeet) | Restricted | Yes |
| Rose-ringed parakeet | Restricted | Yes |
It’s worth noting that this table reflects general categories rather than a complete species-by-species list. Arkansas relies on detailed regulatory lists that identify animals by name rather than general descriptions, and because these lists can change, owners should always consult the most recent AGFC regulations instead of relying on summaries. Before committing to a specific bird, take a few minutes to review what any potential pet actually needs day to day, including diet, since even unrestricted species like macaws and Amazons have specific nutritional needs covered in a guide to what parrots eat.
Federal Laws That May Apply to Parrot Ownership
State law is only half the picture. Several federal statutes affect how parrots move into and around the United States, even when a state has no restrictions of its own. The Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 limits the commercial importation of many wild-caught exotic bird species into the country, which is why the vast majority of parrots sold today are captive-bred domestically rather than wild-caught abroad.
The Lacey Act adds another layer, making it a federal offense to import, transport, or sell wildlife, including birds, that were taken or possessed in violation of any underlying state, federal, or international law. This means a Quaker parrot imported without the correct Arkansas permit could trigger federal exposure in addition to a state citation. Many parrot species, particularly larger macaws and cockatoos, are also listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates cross-border sales and can require documentation even for captive-bred birds moving between countries.
Health regulations matter too. Psittacosis, sometimes called parrot fever, is a bacterial infection that can spread from birds to humans, and some states and countries require testing or quarantine before parrots can be transported or sold commercially. Reviewing the basics of parrot fever is worthwhile for any prospective owner, since outbreaks can trigger additional inspection requirements for breeders and dealers even in states like Arkansas that otherwise keep restrictions light.
Important Note: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects native wild birds, not non-native pet parrots, so it generally does not apply to species like macaws, African greys, or Amazon parrots kept as companions.
Permits Required to Own a Restricted Parrot in Arkansas
If you want to keep a Quaker parrot or a rose-ringed parakeet in Arkansas, you will need to work through the state’s permitting system rather than simply buying one at a pet store. Permitted species may only be imported, bred, or sold in accordance with Codes 9.07 (Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit) and 9.10 (Wildlife Importation Permit). These two permits cover different situations: the Breeder/Dealer permit applies to anyone raising or selling restricted birds, while the Importation permit applies to bringing a bird into the state from elsewhere.
Getting set up typically follows a similar path regardless of which permit applies to your situation:
- Confirm the species classification on the current AGFC captive wildlife list before purchasing or transporting a bird.
- Contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s licensing division to determine which permit category applies to your situation.
- Submit the required application along with any supporting documentation on the bird’s origin and health status.
- Maintain records of the transaction in case the Commission requests proof of legal ownership.
- Renew the permit as required, since exotic bird permits carry annual renewal deadlines set by the Commission.
Documentation matters even for unrestricted species. Owners must maintain records of proof of legal ownership including licenses, bills of sale, bills of lading, receipts, invoices, and copies of Wildlife Importation Permits, along with the date of acquisition, place of origin, and the name, address, and telephone number of the person from whom the wildlife was acquired, and provide these records to the Commission upon demand. Keeping this paperwork in a folder with your bird’s veterinary records is a simple habit that can save considerable stress if a compliance question ever comes up.
Local Ordinances That May Apply in Arkansas
State-level legality is not the end of the story. Just because an animal is legal to own in the state does not mean the city you live in allows it, since many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep. This distinction catches new bird owners off guard more often than the state wildlife code itself.
Before bringing home a parrot, particularly a larger or louder species, check on a few local factors:
- Municipal noise ordinances, since macaws and cockatoos can be extremely loud and some cities regulate excessive animal noise.
- Homeowners association rules, which sometimes restrict the number or type of animals allowed on a property regardless of state law.
- Rental lease agreements, which frequently include pet clauses that treat exotic birds differently from cats or dogs.
- County-level exotic animal ordinances, which occasionally add restrictions beyond what AGFC requires statewide.
Arkansas’s wildlife rules cover far more than parrots. The same captive wildlife framework touches everything from hawks native to Arkansas to reptiles, which is a useful reminder that the Commission’s oversight extends broadly across the animal kingdom rather than singling out pet birds. Checking with your specific city or county clerk’s office, in addition to AGFC, closes the gap between what the state allows and what your neighborhood actually permits.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Restricted Parrot in Arkansas
Keeping a restricted parrot like a Quaker parrot without the correct permit carries real consequences in Arkansas. When a person is convicted of violating an AGFC regulation, the court is authorized to impose a monetary fine and jail sentence within set penalty ranges, and in lieu of a jail sentence the court may impose community service, suspend or revoke related licenses, and order restitution to the Commission for the value of any wildlife illegally taken. In practice, this often means confiscation of the bird in addition to any fine.
Out-of-state residents are not exempt from consequences either. Under the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, wildlife law violations by a non-resident from a member state are handled as if the person were a resident, and if a non-resident fails to comply with a citation, the AGFC will notify their home state, which may then suspend that person’s resident hunting or fishing license. This compact does not just affect hunters; it applies broadly to wildlife violations, including unpermitted possession of a restricted bird.
Important Note: This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Wildlife regulations change periodically, so confirm current requirements directly with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission or a licensed attorney before acquiring a restricted species.
Federal exposure can compound state penalties. Because the Lacey Act criminalizes possessing wildlife obtained in violation of state law, an unpermitted Quaker parrot brought across state lines could theoretically expose an owner to federal as well as state enforcement, though most everyday cases are handled at the state level through AGFC citations rather than federal court.
Arkansas remains one of the friendlier states for parrot owners, with most companion species, including many favorites explored in guides to parrot varieties, requiring no state permit at all. The main thing to watch is species-specific: Quaker parrots and rose-ringed parakeets need a Breeder/Dealer or Importation permit, local ordinances can add their own layer of rules, and skipping the paperwork on a restricted bird can mean fines, confiscation, or worse. Confirm your bird’s status with AGFC, keep your documentation handy, and once you’re cleared to bring your new companion home, you can turn to the fun part, like browsing a list of parrot names for your new pet.