Can You Own a Parrot in New Mexico? State and Federal Laws Explained
August 19, 2026
If you’re picturing a colorful macaw or a chatty African grey on your shoulder, you’re probably wondering whether New Mexico will let you bring one home without a legal headache. The short answer is that most common pet parrots are legal to own in New Mexico without any special permit, but a handful of species and situations trigger state, federal, or local rules you shouldn’t ignore.
Before you bring home any bird, it helps to understand how New Mexico classifies exotic animals, which parrot species face extra scrutiny, and what happens if you skip the paperwork. This breakdown walks through the state agency in charge, the federal laws layered on top, and the permits and penalties that could affect your household.
Important Note: This article summarizes publicly available wildlife regulations for general informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for legal advice. Contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish directly before acquiring a restricted species.
Is It Legal to Own a Parrot in New Mexico
Yes, for the vast majority of pet parrot species. According to LegalClarity, New Mexico prohibits private ownership of certain exotic animals without specific authorization, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) enforces these restrictions under the state’s Wildlife Conservation Act. That framework matters because it determines which birds need paperwork and which don’t.
The NMDGF sorts non-domesticated animals into four “importation groups” based on risk. Group I covers semi-domesticated animals not requiring a permit, Group II covers live non-domesticated animals that aren’t known to be invasive or dangerous, and Group III covers species presenting minimal or manageable concerns that require specific provisions before a permit is issued. Under the state’s own administrative code, it is unlawful to import any live non-domesticated animal into New Mexico without first obtaining the appropriate permits, except for animals identified in Species Importation List Group I, according to the New Mexico Administrative Code.
Where do pet parrots fall? Most of them land in Group I. Group I includes animals that aren’t considered exotic, as well as nontraditional exotics such as gerbils, common ferrets, and many parrots, and pets in this group don’t require a permit for ownership. That means the budgie, cockatiel, or Amazon parrot you’re eyeing at a breeder is typically fine to keep without contacting the state first.
| Import Group | Permit Status | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | No permit required | Common pet parrots, budgies, cockatiels, ferrets |
| Group II | Import permit required | Non-domesticated, low-risk species |
| Group III | Permit with specific conditions | Species with manageable safety or health concerns |
| Group IV | Prohibited or highly restricted | Species considered dangerous, invasive, or unevaluated |
Which Parrot Species Face Restrictions in New Mexico
Not every bird in the parrot family gets a free pass. The most notable exception is the monk parakeet, better known as the Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus). AllAboutParrots lists New Mexico among the states where this species is banned outright as a pet, alongside North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia. The concern is ecological: Quaker parrots build large communal nests and have established feral colonies in warmer states after escaping captivity, so wildlife agencies treat them as a potential invasive species risk.
Endangered and CITES-listed species carry their own baggage, too. The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a good example. This species was uplisted from threatened to endangered on the IUCN Red List and moved to CITES Appendix I in 2016, and it is now protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States, receiving the highest level of protection under CITES. If you’re drawn to greys for their reputation as one of the best talking parrots, know that any bird you acquire should already have documented, legal captive-bred origins.
Most other popular companion species, including eclectus parrots, blue-fronted Amazon parrots, and the larger macaws covered in our roundup of the biggest parrots kept as pets, don’t appear on New Mexico’s restricted list and fall under Group I. Budgies and cockatiels, both native to Australia originally, are so widely captive-bred that they’re treated as standard companion animals rather than wildlife. If you’re comparing options across the broader different types of parrots available in the pet trade, checking a species’ CITES status before purchase is a smart habit regardless of which state you live in.
Pro Tip: Ask any breeder or seller for proof of legal, captive-bred origin before buying a parrot, especially larger macaws, cockatoos, or African greys. Documentation protects you if ownership questions ever come up.
Federal Laws That May Apply to Parrot Ownership
Even when New Mexico doesn’t require a state permit, federal law can still apply. The Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 promotes the conservation of exotic birds by assisting wild bird management programs in their countries of origin and ensuring that trade in exotic bird species is biologically sustainable. This law mainly governs importation rather than everyday domestic ownership, but it explains why captive-bred documentation matters so much for species like greys and certain cockatoos.
The Lacey Act adds another layer. This federal law prohibits the trafficking of illegally harvested wildlife, meaning that if a bird was acquired illegally in one state or country, transporting or selling it anywhere in the United States becomes a federal offense. Pair that with CITES, and the picture gets clearer: importing or exporting CITES-listed parrots requires special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in addition to any state permits, which is especially relevant for species like African grey parrots that fall under CITES Appendix I, where commercial trade is generally prohibited.
You might also come across the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in your research. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 implements four international conservation treaties the U.S. entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia, but it’s primarily aimed at protecting native migratory species rather than non-native companion parrots. Still, it’s worth knowing that federal oversight of birds extends well beyond your state’s own wildlife code, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the agency that ultimately administers these federal bird protections.
Permits Required to Own a Restricted Parrot in New Mexico
If your parrot falls outside Group I, expect a more involved process. A permit is required for ownership and exhibition of exotic animals in New Mexico, and this includes any non-domestic species of mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians. The application isn’t a rubber stamp, either.
Here’s generally what the NMDGF permit process involves:
- Submit an application and fee — applicants must meet certain requirements and submit an application along with the appropriate fee to obtain the permit.
- Justify the ownership — applicants must detail housing, veterinary care, and contingency plans for escapes or emergencies.
- Meet enclosure standards — the department reviews enclosure size, security measures, and containment features designed to prevent escape or public injury.
- Maintain compliance — permits can be reviewed or revoked if care standards slip after approval.
Species-specific rules can get surprisingly granular. Consider the state’s approach to bats: only the broad-nosed bat is allowed with a permit, while all other bat species fall into the prohibited Group IV category. If you’re curious how that kind of species-by-species distinction plays out for New Mexico’s native wildlife, our guide to the types of bats in New Mexico shows the same tiered logic applied outside the bird world. The takeaway for parrot owners is the same: don’t assume a related species shares the same permit status just because it’s in the same general category.
Whatever permit tier applies, proper husbandry documentation matters. Reviewers want to see that you understand a bird’s dietary needs, not just its housing, so familiarizing yourself with what your species actually eats is worth doing before you apply. Our breakdown of what parrots eat is a useful starting point if you’re preparing a care plan for a permit application.
Local Ordinances That May Apply in New Mexico
State-level clearance is only half the picture. Many New Mexico cities have much more stringent exotic pet laws than the state itself imposes, according to FindLaw’s state-by-state exotic animal review. A parrot that’s perfectly legal under NMDGF rules could still run into trouble at the municipal level.
Before you bring a bird home, it’s worth checking a few local sources:
- City or county animal control ordinances — some municipalities cap the number of birds per household or restrict species regardless of state classification.
- Homeowners association covenants — HOAs can impose pet restrictions that are stricter than any government rule.
- Noise ordinances — larger parrots and macaws can be loud enough to trigger nuisance complaints in dense neighborhoods.
- Landlord or lease agreements — rental properties often have their own exotic pet clauses separate from local law.
Access to specialized care is another practical consideration tied to location. Exotic animal veterinarians aren’t evenly distributed across the state, and finding one familiar with avian medicine in rural counties can take extra planning. Building that relationship early, alongside learning to recognize early signs of illness such as parrot fever (avian chlamydiosis), protects both your bird and your household.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Restricted Parrot in New Mexico
The consequences for skipping required permits are more serious than a slap on the wrist. Officials with New Mexico Game and Fish describe possessing a Group IV animal without authorization as a full misdemeanor crime, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. That penalty structure applies regardless of whether the animal is a mammal, reptile, or bird.
Beyond criminal penalties, there’s also the risk of losing the animal itself. Failure to have a valid permit for owning or exhibiting exotic animals in New Mexico can result in penalties and potential seizure of the animal. For owners who already hold a permit but let their care standards slip, failure to comply with housing and care standards may result in revocation of the permit entirely.
Common Mistake: Assuming a bird is legal simply because a pet store sold it to you. Retailers aren’t always current on species-specific state restrictions, so verifying status with the NMDGF yourself is the safer move.
Given the financial and emotional cost of losing a bird you’ve bonded with, a quick call or email to the NMDGF before purchase is far cheaper than dealing with a seizure after the fact. It’s also worth remembering that once you’ve legally welcomed a parrot into your home, the fun part starts: choosing from a wide range of parrot names that fit its personality is a much lighter task than sorting through permit paperwork.
New Mexico’s approach to parrot ownership is more permissive than many people expect, especially compared to states with blanket bans on entire bird families. Most companion parrots need nothing more than responsible ownership to stay on the right side of the law. The exceptions, whether it’s a monk parakeet, a CITES-listed species, or a bird crossing state lines, are narrow enough that a little research upfront will tell you exactly where you stand.