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Tips on Buying a Parrot
By Rossanna Waggle |
You have decided you want a parrot. Perhaps you have chosen a certain type of parrot, perhaps not. The
big question is where to go to buy or adopt your bird. Should you buy a baby or should you adopt an
older bird in need of a new home? Have you done research on the species you are considering? It is
important to know if that particular bird will fit in with your lifestyle and family. Education and
knowledge before buying will help ensure you choose a happy, healthy and compatible lifelong
companion.
The main venues for buying birds are breeders, pet stores, rescue or adoption facilities, or private
resales seen in newspapers or on bulletin boards. It might be wise to consider all of these before making
the final decision. Baby birds are seldom, if ever, available from rescues or sanctuaries or from resale
ads.
Remember that buying a parrot is a monetary investment in addition to an emotional investment. Cages
can cost less than $100 for a small bird upwards to over $1000 for a macaw. Dietary needs including
pellets, seed mixes, nuts, vegetables, fruit, and other foods, can add up to $75 or more per month.
However, the emotional investment is greater than the monetary investment. Parrots require a lot of
attention and depend on humans for interaction, stimulation, toys for playing, food, health, and most of
all, love.
Buying from a Breeder
If you decide to buy from a breeder, you will usually be dealing one-on-one with the person who raised
your bird. Another benefit when buying from a breeder is that the bird costs less than buying from a pet
store. Reputable breeders should be willing to spend time educating you, answering your questions
fully, and to continue to be a source of support once you take the baby home. If you are close by, they
should encourage your visits while the baby grows. If you are buying long distance, ask for references
including the breeder's veterinarian.
Some breeders have closed aviaries, which means no new birds have been brought into the flock for
some time. Others are still adding new pairs to their flocks, and some are MAP-certified. MAP (Model
Aviculture Program) certification requires certain standards of cleanliness, housing, and precise record
keeping in the facilities. MAP aviaries must keep the public out of the aviaries as a measure of disease
prevention, and must be inspected annually by a qualified avian veterinarian. However, good
conscientious breeders who are not MAP-certified may also follow strict procedures to protect the health
of their flock. They have invested a lot of time and money in their breeding flock and they are committed
to offering healthy babies to buyers.
Health guarantees vary from breeder to breeder and will have a specific time period for you to have the
bird checked by an avian veterinarian, commonly 48 to 72 hours. Overall health guarantees may vary
greatly, from 48 hours to 1 year from time of purchase. Guarantees are nearly always limited as breeders
cannot be responsible for birds that you have taken to places in which other birds are present, or for
something you may have caused. Should death occur within the time limits of the guarantees, necropsies
must be performed to determine the cause of death. Guarantees should be in writing, and very specific
in their limitations. Be sure to read the health guarantee carefully so there are no misunderstandings on
the contents.
Questions to ask a breeder
- How long have you been breeding and do you specialize in certain species?
- Do you sell unweaned birds? (Please do not buy unweaned babies. The best babies come fully weaned
and well socialized.)
- Are babies weaned to a wide variety of foods, both prepared and fresh?
- How long do you allow the babies to fledge (fly) before clipping their wings? (The ideal answer would
be until they are ready to go to their new homes.)
- Are your babies vaccinated for any disease? (This is an optional and debated decision by breeders, and
should not necessarily sway your opinion of the breeder.)
- Do you follow strict quarantine procedures when bringing in new birds? How long is your quarantine
period? (Quarantine should be from 30 to 90 days or ideally, longer.)
- What is the best way for me to quarantine my new baby if I have other birds?
- What safety methods do you use for shipping? Is the airline of choice reputable for transporting live
animals?
Buying From a Pet Store
Pet stores are good places to see a variety of birds. You can usually handle different birds and explore
their temperaments and personalities. Some pet stores offer older birds for sale as well as babies.
However, pet stores often buy birds from several different places making proper quarantine nearly
impossible. The risk of disease can be higher in pet stores because of birds coming from different
sources. Another possible source of disease is customers who may have been to other pet stores and
handled birds there before going on to the next one. Be sure the staff is knowledgeable when answering
your questions and will be a source of support once you buy a bird. If you are concerned about health, it
is not unreasonable to ask if you can have the bird checked by a veterinarian and screened for diseases
before you buy.
A good pet store will care about the future of their birds and should not sell you a large cockatoo or
macaw if you live in an apartment! Avoid stores that try to influence you to buy a larger (translates to
more expensive) bird or who tell you to settle for a less appropriately-sized cage (translates to cheaper)
in which to house the bird. Good pet stores will provide proper toys to ensure the babies are happy and
busy while in the cage.
Questions to ask a Pet Store
- Do you sell unweaned birds?
- Are the birds on proper diets?
- Do you control diseases by testing birds when they arrive at the store?
- Do you provide health guarantees?
Buying from a private individual
When buying resale birds, the cost is usually lower and often the bird is sold with a cage and toys. It is
important to know why the bird is being sold. Behavioral problems are the main reason; noise and mess
are the second biggest reason. Resale birds are usually the only bird in the home and are at a lower risk
for having diseases. If possible, get a history on the bird and ask for the birds vet records. Knowing the
origin of the bird is a good start, as well as its age. Also, ask if the bird has been handled while living in
its present home. If it has been handled consistently, it will remain sociable. Observing the bird's
reaction to you can tell you a lot about its temperament. Do not expect any guarantees on health! Giving
a previously owned bird another chance can be very rewarding, and with patience and understanding,
you can forge a wonderful relationship with the bird. Challenges may arise, but most problems can be
overcome with common sense along with good advice from others who have met the same challenges.
Questions to ask a private seller
- Ask as many questions as you can about the bird's previous history. How long with the present owner,
any other homes, age, temperament, routine, preferences for men or women, acceptance of children (if
applicable), illnesses, diet, behavioral problems, are all important aspects to consider.
Adopting from a Rescue or Sanctuary
Adopting a parrot from a rescue or sanctuary can be rewarding. Parrots come to rescues for a variety of
reasons. As rewarding as adoption can be, getting an adult bird from a rescue can also pose a multitude
of challenges. A potential owner can encounter behavioral problems, dietary habits that could be hard
to change, and be provided little or none of the birds history. That being said, these magnificent birds
deserve to find a home filled with love. Dont let the adoption application and follow-up intimidate you. It
may seem as if the process is lengthy and the questions may seem endless. However, directors and staff
at rescues are dedicated to finding those "forever homes" and will be very selective in choosing the right
people for that particular bird. Adopting an adult bird, in the beginning, may require more time and
patience but it is very much worth the effort. A new owner can build as close a bond with an adult bird as
with a baby. Be sure to check the credentials of the rescue or sanctuary and ask if there is help and
support for any issues the bird may have.
Whether you buy or adopt from a rescue or sanctuary, pet store, breeder or individual, the seller of the
bird should ask you as many questions as you have asked them. The seller should be concerned about
the type of home the bird is going to, the number of other animals, and other aspects of your home. Will
the bird be kept in the main living area? Who will be handling the bird? Does the house have other
birds? If these questions (and others!) are not asked by the seller, then approach a purchase from this
seller with caution. If the seller is not concerned about the parrots new environment, the seller may not
have the birds welfare as his or her highest priority. That lack of concern can indicate the seller may not
be breeding or selling birds for the best of reasons.
After exhausting all avenues, sift carefully through all the information you have gathered. If possible,
make an informed decision rather than an emotional one. Making the decision that is best for both you
and the bird will lead to a rewarding and wonderful relationship that will last a lifetime. There is no other
pet quite like a parrot!
2006, Avian Health Network, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fine Print ~ The information contained herein is for educational purposes only, and is not meant to substitute for quality avian veterinary care. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with your trust avian healthcare professional right away if you feel you have an ill bird or hurt bird. Those with a bird(s) exhibiting any symptom of illness should seek the advice of a qualified avian medical professional immediately.
The opinions and/or content of the published documents are the sole opinions of their author and are not the opinions of Avian Health Network, Inc., their board, volunteers, or other participants. Avian Health Network, Inc. further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, or other items contained within these materials.
Avian Health Network, Inc. #54-2068091 is a 501(C) 3 headquartered and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are an organization of volunteers with no paid personnel. We are committed to raising public awareness and funds for avian diseases such as PDD. Financial Statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs, Commonwealth of Virginia. Proceeds generated by the StopPDD campaign will go to help subsidize the research of the Emerging Diseases Research Group (EDRG) at the University of Georgias College of Veterinary Medicine.
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