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5 Best Bird Shops in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Fenris Morrow
By Fenris Morrow, Expert in Professional Services · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 7 min read

Bringing home a cockatiel or a macaw is a decades-long commitment, not an impulse buy, and the bird shops and pet stores on this Chicago page have logged nearly 3,800 Google reviews between them proving that out. Only one, Parrot Stars, specializes in birds specifically, while the rest are general pet stores that happen to carry avian supplies and, in some cases, live birds.

Short answer: Pet Supplies Plus N. Elston is the most-reviewed pet retailer in Chicago at 4.6 stars across 1,428 reviews, but for birds specifically, Parrot Stars in Arlington Heights (4.7, 551 reviews) is the dedicated specialist, running free monthly parrot care classes and a screening process for buyers. Jules Pet Shop (4.5, 787 reviews) and Curious Creatures (4.8, 489 reviews) round out the list with general and reptile-leaning selections that also stock birds.
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How Chicago's Bird and Pet Shops Compare

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Pet Supplies Plus N. Elston 4.6 ★ 1,428 General pet supplies, one-stop shopping View ›
2 Jules Pet Shop 4.5 ★ 787 Small animals and doves in a compact shop View ›
3 Curious Creatures 4.8 ★ 489 Reptile specialist that also stocks birds View ›
4 Parrot Stars 4.7 ★ 551 Dedicated bird and parrot specialist View ›
5 Animal Krackers Pet Center 4.6 ★ 541 Family-owned, wide selection since 1995 View ›
5 Best Bird Shops in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Pet Supplies Plus N. Elston logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Pet Supplies Plus N. Elston

4.61,428 Google reviews

Pet Supplies Plus N. Elston is a full-service pet supply store on Chicago's North Side carrying food, supplies and grooming services for dogs, cats, birds, fish and reptiles, with Google listing it as a bird shop among its many categories. It runs a self-serve dog wash and a wide bulk-buy selection, and it is the single most-reviewed pet retailer on this page.

What people praise

  • Largest review base of any shop on this page
  • Staff repeatedly praised for going out of their way to help
  • Bulk-buy pricing and coupon programs mentioned by regulars
  • Self-serve dog wash station kept clean between uses

Worth knowing

  • A couple of reviewers report thinner staffing at busy times
  • Stock on specific brands can run out
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume1,428 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown75% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The biggest, most convenient option here, though it is a general supply chain first and a bird specialist second. Good for food and cage supplies, less so for expert bird-specific advice.

Website+1773-583-2288 Directions

3640 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Jules Pet Shop logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Jules Pet Shop

4.5787 Google reviews

Jules Pet Shop is a Milwaukee Avenue pet store carrying small animals, reptiles, fish and, notably, doves, a species one reviewer specifically called out as rare to see in a pet store. The shop is small and tightly packed with animals, and its site emphasizes pet wellness, community involvement and accepting donated supplies for rehoming.

What people praise

  • Owner and staff described as knowledgeable and hands-on with animals
  • Unusual selection including doves alongside common small pets
  • Community focus: accepts donated supplies and works with local rescues
  • Live and frozen reptile feeders in stock

Worth knowing

  • Space is tight and can feel crowded when busy
  • One reviewer found prices higher than out-of-state comparisons
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume787 · 91th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown76% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth a visit for its unusual selection, doves included, though the small footprint means it can be a squeeze on a busy day. Call ahead if you are hoping to see a specific species.

Website+1773-342-7149 Directions

2214 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Curious Creatures logo
#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Curious Creatures

4.8489 Google reviews

Curious Creatures is a Broadway Avenue reptile specialty store started by two reptile enthusiasts, focused primarily on lizards, snakes and tortoises alongside feeder insects and secondhand tank equipment. Its Google category is Reptile store rather than Bird shop, but it carries the highest rating on this page and a loyal, multi-year customer base.

What people praise

  • Highest rating on this page at 4.8
  • Owners responsive to questions over Instagram, per reviewers
  • Requires proof of proper setup before selling an animal
  • Sells secondhand tanks and decor at a discount

Worth knowing

  • Primarily a reptile shop, so bird selection is secondary at best
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume489 · 68th
Confidencehigh
Recency6 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best-rated shop here, but worth being upfront about: this is a reptile specialist first. Call ahead if a bird specifically is what you're after.

Website+1773-698-8333 Directions

4131 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613

Parrot Stars logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Parrot Stars

4.7551 Google reviews

Parrot Stars is an Arlington Heights parrot education center and store, breeding and hand-raising baby parrots alongside selling cages, food, toys and grooming and boarding services. It is the only business on this page whose primary Google category is Bird shop, and it runs free monthly parrot care classes, both in-store and live-streamed, plus a dedicated podcast on parrot care.

What people praise

  • The only dedicated bird specialist on this page
  • Screens buyers to ensure birds go to responsible homes
  • Free monthly parrot care classes, in-store and live-streamed
  • Reviewers describe birds as well socialized and clearly well cared for

Worth knowing

  • Located in Arlington Heights, outside the city proper
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume551 · 79th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown87% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The clear specialist pick on this page for anyone actually adopting a parrot, with a genuine education and screening process behind it. Worth the drive out of the city.

Website+1224-735-7537 Directions

115 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Animal Krackers Pet Center logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Animal Krackers Pet Center

4.6541 Google reviews

Animal Krackers Pet Center is a family-owned pet store in Merrionette Park, founded in 1995 and now billed on its own site as the largest independent family-owned pet store in the Chicago area. It carries food, supplies and a large fish room alongside birds and reptiles, and reviewers mention a long-running in-house rabbit that greets customers.

What people praise

  • Decades-long family-owned history in the Chicago area
  • Large fish room alongside general pet supplies
  • Staff repeatedly praised as helpful and knowledgeable
  • Carries premium food brands alongside standard stock

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer suggested handling a bird with a net rather than by hand
  • Selection spans many species, so bird-specific depth is more limited than a specialist
Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume541 · 74th
Confidencehigh
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown76% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A well-established, wide-selection option with real local roots, though like the other general stores here, birds are one category among many rather than the specialty.

Website+1708-389-7248 Directions

3309 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL 60803

6

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the business’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against others in Chicago. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from hundreds of reviews carries more weight than a 5.0 from a dozen. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a pet bird cost in Chicago? (2026)

None of the shops on this page publish full public pricing for live birds, since cost varies enormously by species, from a budgie to a large macaw. Ask each shop directly for current pricing and what is included, such as a starter cage or care consultation.

Serving Chicago and the northwest suburbs

The shops above cover Chicago’s North Side and reach into the northwest suburbs, including Elston Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue, Broadway, Arlington Heights and Merrionette Park. Searching for a bird shop near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can check current stock before you drive out.

What to ask before you buy a bird

  • How was this bird raised, and is it hand-fed and well socialized?
  • What is the bird’s expected lifespan and full-grown size?
  • What starter equipment, food and setup do I need on day one?
  • Does the shop offer any care classes or ongoing support after purchase?
  • Is boarding or grooming available if I travel?
  • What is your return or rehoming policy if it does not work out?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these bird shops?

We started from Chicago-area pet and bird stores with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Is there a dedicated bird specialist in Chicago?

Parrot Stars, in nearby Arlington Heights, is the only shop on this page whose primary focus is birds, running education classes and screening buyers before a sale.

Do general pet stores in Chicago sell live birds?

Some do, including several on this page, but selection and species depth vary widely. Call ahead to ask what is currently in stock before making the trip.

The bottom line

For a dedicated parrot specialist with real screening and education behind it, Parrot Stars is the standout even though it is outside the city. For general pet supplies with a birds-included selection, Pet Supplies Plus and Animal Krackers are the safe, well-reviewed defaults.

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