Can You Own a Parrot in Maine? What State and Federal Law Require

If you’re picturing a colorful parrot perched in your Maine living room, you’ll want to know the rules before you bring one home. Can you own a parrot in Maine? For most common pet species, the answer is yes without a permit — but for larger or less common birds, state and federal paperwork may enter the picture fast.

Maine’s wildlife laws treat birds differently depending on species, origin, and size, which means two parrot owners in the same town could face very different legal requirements. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of which parrots are unrestricted, which need a permit, what federal rules layer on top, and what happens if you skip the paperwork.

Important Note: This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Is It Legal to Own a Parrot in Maine

Maine’s exotic pet framework starts with a simple rule: you cannot possess wildlife in the state without a permit unless the species appears on the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s unrestricted list. Maine prohibits keeping wildlife, including most exotic mammals, large reptiles, and birds of prey, without a permit issued by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. That framework applies to birds just as it does to reptiles and mammals.

The good news for most households is that the IF&W unrestricted list already covers most common parrots, along with domestic ferrets, domestic-bred small mammals, and limited numbers of native reptiles and amphibians. If your parrot falls into that unrestricted category, you can legally keep it in Maine without applying for a state wildlife permit.

Where things get more complicated is with larger, less domesticated, or non-native species that fall outside that unrestricted category. The statute governing this is 12 MRS § 12152, which states that “a person may not import wildlife into or possess wildlife in the State… without a permit” issued by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, except for species on the state’s unregulated list. This single statute is the legal backbone for every parrot ownership question in the state.

Pro Tip: Before buying or adopting any parrot in Maine, check the IF&W’s current unrestricted species list directly. Lists are updated periodically, and confirming your specific species status in writing can save you from an accidental violation.

Which Parrot Species Face Restrictions in Maine

Not every bird sold as a “parrot” gets the same legal treatment in Maine. Smaller, widely domesticated companion birds generally sit on the unrestricted list, while larger or rarer species tend to fall into restricted categories that require a permit before you can legally possess one.

According to research into Maine’s captive wildlife framework, large exotic birds — meaning some parrot species and other non-native birds that are not on the unrestricted list — occupy a restricted position under state law. That distinction matters enormously if you’re comparing a budgie to a macaw or a large cockatoo.

Species that commonly draw extra scrutiny in exotic-pet frameworks like Maine’s include:

• Large macaws and other oversized parrot species, which fall under the biggest parrots category by size and enclosure demands
• Cockatoos and other Australian-native parrots, discussed further in this guide to Australian parrots
• African greys and other species prized for their vocal ability, covered in this roundup of best talking parrots
• Various Amazon parrot species, detailed in this overview of types of Amazon parrots
• The eclectus parrot, a species with distinct sexual dimorphism explored in this eclectus parrots guide

Because Maine’s classification isn’t organized as a single published “banned species” chart for parrots specifically, the safest approach is to check your exact species against the current unrestricted list before purchase. For a broader sense of how parrot species differ in size, temperament, and care needs, this guide to different types of parrots is a useful starting point.

Federal Laws That May Apply to Parrot Ownership

Even when a parrot species clears Maine’s state hurdles, federal law can still apply, especially around how the bird entered the country and how it moves across state lines. The primary statute here is the Wild Bird Conservation Act, passed specifically to regulate international trade in exotic birds.

The Wild Bird Conservation Act was enacted on October 23, 1992, to promote the conservation of exotic birds listed in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by ensuring that imports are biologically sustainable, not detrimental to the species, and free of inhumane treatment during capture and transport. In practical terms, the law requires that all trade in wild birds involving the United States is biologically sustainable and to the benefit of the species, and it limits or prohibits imports of exotic birds when they aren’t beneficial to the species.

The Act didn’t ban all imports outright. An immediate moratorium took effect on October 23, 1992, on the importation of ten species of wild birds of particular concern that were listed in CITES Appendix II, two of which had already moved to Appendix I. Some species have since been added back to approved trade lists under specific conditions — the blue-fronted Amazon parrot from Argentina, for example, was added to the Approved List of Non-Captive-Bred Species under an approved sustainable-use management plan. You can learn more about this specific species in this blue-fronted Amazon parrot guide.

For personally owned pet birds specifically, federal rules are narrower than commercial import rules. Permits authorizing the importation of exotic birds are issued only for scientific research, zoological breeding or display programs, cooperative conservation breeding programs, or personally owned pets accompanying an owner returning to the United States after more than a year abroad — and no individual may import more than two exotic birds as pets in any year.

Several other federal statutes work alongside the WBCA. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act requires permits for migratory species like cranes or waterfowl, the Lacey Act criminalizes interstate trade of illegally captured birds, and the Animal Welfare Act regulates care standards for commercially bred birds. Most companion parrots bred and sold domestically won’t trigger these laws directly, but anyone importing a bird, buying from an international breeder, or transporting a bird across state lines should confirm compliance first.

Key Insight: Federal law generally governs how a bird crosses borders or state lines, while Maine’s own statute governs whether you can legally keep it once it’s home. Both layers can apply to the same bird.

Permits Required to Own a Restricted Parrot in Maine

If your parrot species doesn’t appear on Maine’s unrestricted list, you’ll need to apply for a wildlife possession permit before you can legally keep it. Maine’s system sorts restricted wildlife, including certain birds, into tiers based on risk and housing complexity rather than treating every species identically.

The statute establishes a tiered permit system: Category 1 Restricted Species, covering endangered or threatened animals or those posing human risk, requires a $250 application plus a $27 permit fee; Category 2 Restricted Species, covering animals requiring special housing, requires a $100 application plus a $27 permit; Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits are free and cover orphaned or injured wildlife; and Research and Educational Permits are also free. Once granted, the permit is valid for two calendar years before renewal is required.

Permit Type	Typical Use	Application Fee	Permit Fee
Category 1 Restricted Species	Higher-risk or threatened species	$250	$27
Category 2 Restricted Species	Species needing special housing	$100	$27
Wildlife Rehabilitation	Orphaned or injured wildlife	Free	Free
Research and Educational	Scientific or educational use	Free	Free

Housing standards attached to these permits are specific rather than vague. Facilities holding certain captive birds must meet minimum cage dimensions and space allowances set out in Maine’s captive wildlife regulations, and wildlife held in captivity must be confined, contained, controlled, and sheltered in a way that protects it, protects the property of others, and protects the health and safety of the public. The full housing and caging standards are laid out in Maine’s official exotic animal law documentation, which is worth reviewing before you apply.

Permits aren’t only about possession — they also cover bringing a bird into the state in the first place. A Wildlife or Fish Importation Permit is required from the Commissioner before any species not listed as unrestricted is transported or brought into Maine, a rule that even extends to invertebrates such as exotic ladybugs, farm-raised butterflies used at events, or other non-native species. That same importation logic applies to restricted parrot species arriving from out of state. If you’re curious how Maine treats other regulated wildlife categories, comparing rules for hawks in Maine and snakes in Maine shows how consistently the state applies its unrestricted-versus-permitted framework across very different animal groups — even to something as seemingly unrelated as the butterflies in Maine that occasionally require their own importation paperwork.

Permit holders also take on ongoing responsibilities once the paperwork is approved. Anyone who possesses a restricted species must immediately notify law enforcement of any escape of the regulated animal, whether the species was legally permitted or illegally possessed without a permit. For a bird capable of long-distance flight, that notification requirement is worth taking seriously.

Local Ordinances That May Apply in Maine

State wildlife law isn’t the only rulebook you’ll need to check. Cities, towns, and housing communities across Maine can layer their own restrictions on top of state permits, and these local rules vary significantly from one municipality to the next.

Noise ordinances are the most common local friction point for parrot owners. Larger parrot species are naturally loud, and some municipal noise codes set decibel limits or quiet hours that a vocal bird can violate even indoors. Before adopting a particularly loud species, it’s worth checking your town’s municipal code and, if you rent or live in a condo association, reviewing your lease or HOA bylaws for pet clauses that specifically mention birds or exotic animals.

Health-related concerns can also surface at the local level, particularly around zoonotic disease awareness. Psittacosis, commonly known as “parrot fever,” is a bacterial infection that can pass from birds to humans, and some landlords, veterinarians, or local health authorities may ask about vaccination or health screening history for larger flocks or multiple-bird households. If you want to understand the symptoms and prevention basics, this guide to parrot fever breaks down what owners should watch for.

Pro Tip: Call your town office or check municipal code online before bringing home a restricted parrot species. A state permit doesn’t override a local noise ordinance or a lease clause that bans exotic pets.

Penalties for Illegally Owning a Restricted Parrot in Maine

Skipping the permit process for a restricted parrot species carries real financial and legal consequences in Maine, and the penalties escalate quickly for repeat violations. Under the state’s exotic pet statute, penalties for violations incur fines of not less than $100 but not more than $500.

Repeat offenses move the situation from a civil penalty into criminal territory. Three or more such violations within a five-year period are considered a Class E criminal offense. Separately, violations tied specifically to the permit requirement carry their own structure: a Class E crime under 12 MRS § 12152 comes with a minimum $50 fine plus twice the applicable permit fee, plus seizure of the animal.

That seizure clause is significant for parrot owners in particular. Unlike a fine you can simply pay, losing custody of a bird that may have lived with your family for years is a consequence that’s difficult to reverse. Given how long-lived many parrot species are, verifying your bird’s legal status before you bring it home is far less costly than dealing with enforcement after the fact.

Common Mistake: Assuming a pet store sale automatically means a species is legal to own without a permit. Retailers aren’t always current on state wildlife classifications, so confirm status directly with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Whether you’re drawn to a modest budgie or dreaming of a larger companion bird, the path to legal ownership in Maine comes down to three checks: confirm the species against the unrestricted list, account for any applicable federal import rules, and apply for the correct state permit category if your bird doesn’t qualify as unrestricted. Taking those steps upfront protects both you and the bird you’re bringing into your home.