Can You Own a Parrot in Massachusetts? What State and Federal Law Require
August 26, 2026
Massachusetts takes a backward approach to exotic pet law compared to most states: rather than listing what’s banned, wildlife regulators publish only what residents are allowed to keep. If you’re asking whether you can own a parrot in Massachusetts, the short answer is yes for most common pet species — but the specifics depend heavily on which bird you’re bringing home, where you live, and whether that species carries any federal protections.
This guide walks through the state exemption system, the parrot species that face extra scrutiny, the federal laws layered on top of Massachusetts rules, and what happens if you skip the paperwork. Whether you already have a bird or you’re still browsing different types of parrots, understanding these rules before you buy will save you a lot of trouble later.
Is It Legal to Own a Parrot in Massachusetts
The primary legal authority is M.G.L.A. 131 § 23, which bans private possession of exotic pets and requires licenses for those who deal in and propagate wild species. On its face, that sounds like parrots would be off-limits. But the Massachusetts Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife also issues a list of exempted species for which no permit is needed.
That exemption document is what actually determines whether your bird needs paperwork. The animals added to the license-exemption list include boas and pythons, skinks, parrots, hedgehogs, chinchillas, and flying squirrels, among others. In practical terms, common pet parrots — budgerigars, cockatiels, conures, African greys, Amazons, and macaws among them — can generally be kept, bought, and sold in Massachusetts without a MassWildlife license.
There’s an important exception baked into that exemption, though. Birds listed as threatened or endangered under federal or state law are never exempt regardless of species. So owning “a parrot” is legal in a general sense, but owning a specific, more vulnerable species can trigger a completely different set of requirements, which the next section breaks down.
Pro Tip: Before buying any parrot in Massachusetts, ask the breeder or seller for the bird’s exact species and, if possible, its country of origin. That information determines whether it falls under the exemption list or needs a separate license.
Which Parrot Species Face Restrictions in Massachusetts
Not every bird in the parrot family gets automatic clearance. To be exempt, an animal or group of animals has to meet several criteria: accidental release will not adversely affect the ecology of Massachusetts, the animal poses no substantial danger to humans if it escapes, proper care is no more demanding than the care of common domestic animals, and trade in the animal has no significant adverse effect on the wild population of the animal in its natural habitat.
Most companion parrots clear that bar easily. Popular talking species featured in guides to the best talking parrots, along with birds like the Eclectus parrot and various types of Amazon parrots, are widely kept as pets nationwide and typically fall on the exempt side of the line.
The species that run into trouble tend to be rarer, wild-caught, or globally threatened birds. The Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, better known as the hyacinth macaw, and the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) are both examples of birds that carry international conservation protections because of population declines in the wild. Larger, harder-to-source cockatoos and macaws covered in a roundup of the biggest parrots in the world often fall into this more heavily scrutinized category, since size and rarity frequently overlap in the parrot family.
Quaker parrots, also called monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus), deserve a special mention because they are restricted in several nearby states. States that allow Quaker parrots without a permit requirement at the state level include Massachusetts, along with Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, and many others. That’s notably different from neighboring states where Quaker parrots are illegal, which include Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island. If you’re moving to Massachusetts from one of those states with an existing Quaker parrot, that’s a meaningful difference to confirm before you cross state lines.
| Parrot Category | General Massachusetts Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Common companion species (budgies, cockatiels, conures, Amazons, African greys) | Exempt, no permit needed | Listed on the 321 CMR 9.01 exemption list |
| Quaker parrot / monk parakeet | Exempt, no state permit | Not restricted at the Massachusetts state level |
| Species listed as endangered or threatened (federal, state, or IUCN) | Permit required | Endangered/threatened status overrides exemption status |
| Wild-caught exotic birds not on any approved list | Import generally prohibited | Federal Wild Bird Conservation Act restrictions |
Federal Laws That May Apply to Parrot Ownership
State exemption is only half the picture. Several federal statutes sit on top of Massachusetts law, and they apply regardless of what MassWildlife’s list says. Most birds are protected by federal laws under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as well as by Massachusetts state laws. It is illegal to destroy, relocate, or possess wild birds, their nests, or their eggs, with the only exceptions being non-native species such as House Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons.
That treaty mainly governs native wild birds rather than captive-bred exotic parrots, so it typically doesn’t touch your pet cockatiel. It does explain why Massachusetts wildlife like the birds covered in guides to hawks in Massachusetts are treated so differently from an imported parrot — one is a protected native species, the other is a regulated exotic.
The Endangered Species Act adds another layer for parrot species that are formally listed, requiring federal permits for possession, breeding, or interstate transport regardless of a bird’s state exemption status. On top of that sits the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. CITES controls the cross-border movement of wildlife through a permit system organized around three tiers: Appendix I covers species threatened with extinction and requires both import and export permits, Appendix II requires an export permit but generally no import permit, and Appendix III covers species that at least one member country has asked others to help regulate.
The Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 was signed to promote conservation of exotic birds by ensuring imports are biologically sustainable, not detrimental to wild populations, and free of inhumane capture and transport practices. Since one year after its enactment, importing any exotic bird listed in a CITES Appendix has been prohibited unless it appears on an approved list published by the Secretary of the Interior. Enforcement is real: federal prosecutors have pursued cases against individuals who imported protected birds under false pretenses, including a New York case in which a man was sentenced to prison time and fined for illegally importing CITES-protected birds and misrepresenting them as personal pets.
Important Note: The Wild Bird Conservation Act mainly restricts importation of wild-caught birds from abroad. It does not generally prevent you from buying a captive-bred parrot from a domestic breeder, but documentation of a bird’s origin still matters if the species has any CITES listing.
Permits Required to Own a Restricted Parrot in Massachusetts
If your parrot species doesn’t qualify for the exemption list, or if it’s listed as endangered or threatened, Massachusetts requires an individual license from MassWildlife. For an individual license covering an animal not on the special exemption list, the applicant must satisfy the director that they can maintain the animal in good health and properly confine and protect it; if depletion of the wild population is a concern, preference goes to captive-bred acquisitions or to owners whose stewardship is likely to benefit the species.
There’s an interesting historical carve-out for long-time owners. A license to possess as a pet a bird owned prior to January 1, 1974, is generally granted at any time to any individual, provided any potentially injurious animal is properly confined in a suitable facility. That grandfather clause rarely applies to today’s parrot owners, but it illustrates how long Massachusetts has regulated captive wildlife.
Anyone breeding or selling restricted parrots faces a separate licensing track. A person may not engage in the propagation, cultivation, or maintenance of, or dealing in, undomesticated birds without first obtaining a propagator’s or dealer’s license, as applicable. That distinction matters for anyone hoping to breed a restricted species like certain macaws or cockatoos rather than simply keep one as a pet.
Federal paperwork often runs in parallel with the state process. If a species requires CITES documentation, the standard federal processing fee for a CITES export permit is $100, with a $50 amendment fee. Applicants typically work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s permitting office in addition to MassWildlife, so budget extra time for both applications to clear before bringing home a restricted bird.
Important Note: A Massachusetts license does not substitute for a federal permit, and vice versa. Restricted species frequently need both state and federal approval before you can legally possess them.
Local Ordinances That May Apply in Massachusetts
State and federal law set the floor, not the ceiling. Local municipalities may have additional rules that go beyond what MassWildlife requires, and these vary widely by city and town.
Condo associations and rental leases are the most common practical obstacle for parrot owners. Many buildings cap the number of pets per unit or restrict animals above a certain size or noise level, which matters a great deal for larger, louder species discussed in guides to the biggest parrots and to Australian parrots like cockatoos, some of which can be heard from blocks away. Before signing a lease with a macaw or cockatoo in tow, get pet policies in writing rather than relying on a verbal agreement.
Local boards of health can also weigh in, particularly around avian disease concerns. Parrots can carry Chlamydia psittaci, the bacterium responsible for psittacosis, sometimes called parrot fever, and some municipalities have public health rules addressing bird-keeping density or sanitation for exactly this reason. If you’re researching the health side of ownership, the guide on parrot fever covers symptoms and prevention in more depth.
Zoning bylaws in some Massachusetts towns also limit how many animals of any kind a single household can keep, which can affect breeders or owners with multiple birds more than casual single-parrot households. Because there’s no statewide database of every municipal bylaw, the safest approach is a quick call to your town or city clerk’s office before acquiring a bird, especially a larger or rarer species.
Pro Tip: Ask your landlord, HOA, or town clerk about bird-specific rules separately from general “pet” rules. Many local ordinances written for dogs and cats simply don’t address parrots, which can create gray areas that are worth clarifying in writing.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Restricted Parrot in Massachusetts
Massachusetts enforces its wildlife possession laws through MassWildlife and the Environmental Police, and consequences typically start with confiscation of the animal. The state’s quarantine authority illustrates how seriously this is treated: the Director may examine, quarantine, and destroy exempt animals and may restrict or prohibit their importation, with penalties for violating such a quarantine provided under M.G.L. c. 131, § 25C. Possessing a restricted species without the required license can lead to civil citations, court action, and loss of the animal, in addition to the licensing consequences already described.
Federal penalties tend to carry higher stakes, particularly for endangered species. Penalties vary depending on which law was violated, whether the act was intentional, and whether it involved commercial trafficking, with civil penalties under the Endangered Species Act topping out at $65,653 per violation for a knowing violation of the take prohibition, reflecting inflation adjustments effective in 2026. Criminal prosecution is also possible for violations involving false import documentation or smuggled birds, as shown by a federal case in which a defendant received prison time and a fine after illegally importing CITES-protected birds and submitting false statements to wildlife officials.
Legal Disclaimer: This article summarizes publicly available Massachusetts and federal wildlife regulations for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Wildlife laws change, and enforcement details can vary by case. Confirm current requirements with MassWildlife and a licensed attorney before acquiring a restricted or exotic bird.
Bringing a Parrot Home in Massachusetts
For the vast majority of pet owners, the path is straightforward: pick a common companion species, confirm it’s on the exemption list, and check your lease or HOA rules before bringing it home. The complications arise with rarer, larger, or wild-caught birds, where state exemption status, federal CITES rules, and local ordinances all need to line up before you’re in the clear.
If you’re still deciding which bird fits your household, resources on parrot diet and care and specific species like the blue-fronted Amazon can help you plan before you commit. Whatever you choose, a few phone calls to MassWildlife, your town clerk, and your landlord upfront will save you far more trouble than sorting out a permit problem after the bird is already home.