in for sale, the fact remains that the care of the birds is uneven, and some staff members are not able to distinguish when a bird is not at his best. Bringing together birds from various suppliers means the opportunity for disease introduction is significant, despite best efforts. However, many stores work hard to create a well-informed staff that can provide high-quality care for their animals and for the companions who purchase them.
The advantages of spending time in pet shops, especially those that specialize in birds, is that you will have the opportunity to see a variety of species, observe the care provided to the birds, and gain some feeling about what will be required to care for your bird.
Exotic Bird Stores
Although many pet stores sell birds, few have staff members who are extremely knowledgeable about birds. However, you can learn a great deal about your chosen species at one of the few remaining stores that specialize in exotic birds. You can sometimes find these in major metropolitan areas. Locate these stores by using your online search skills and by talking with other parrot people you meet through your research. Even if the store is several hours away, the effort of making a weekend trip and visiting several times over the course of a couple of days will be a worthwhile experience.
Equipped with a knowledgeable staff, exotic bird stores are more likely to have time to work with you and your prospective bird, especially if you call ahead to make an appointment to visit on one of their less busy days and times. Not only will you be able to see a variety of species, but you can spend time observing the staff, the birds, and the various chores associated with keeping a parrot. In fact, you can learn quite a bit about bird handling and caretaking simply by watching.
One caution about an exotic bird store as a source is the possibility that a particular bird might not be as healthy as you would like. Although specialty stores do their best to protect their investment in the birds who pass through their shop, the birds are brought together from many different breeders. Whenever this happens, the potential for disease is higher than it is when you acquire your bird from a small breeder. However, like every reputable breeder, most specialty stores offer a health guarantee. If the store is unwilling to do this, don’t take the chance.
Another caution is that once the birds come to the store, staff may have little time to continue each bird’s socialization. As a result, each individual may not receive the attention he needs to support his emotional growth. You will be able to observe the staff in the store and the attention that each bird receives. This is a good reason to visit the store several times, even if you have to stay overnight. Nevertheless, most exotic bird stores do their best to create good matches and to provide you with the information and training you need to be successful with your bird.
In addition, many specialty bird stores offer wonderful educational opportunities that you can take advantage of before you choose your species and your individual bird. These stores often arrange for well-known and respected bird behaviorists to visit and hold seminars. Attending one or more of these seminars is another way to learn more about the various species and the demands of caring for fascinating and sometimes difficult psittacines.
Parrots and Kids
Although many kids get along fine with larger parrots, a safer approach, particularly for a first parrot, is to consider a budgie or cockatiel. These child-size birds are gentler. Their beaks, although still able to provide powerful bites, are nowhere near as powerful as those of a larger parrot.
In addition, the cages and accessories are small enough for the child to take an active role in the care, feeding, and training of the pet parrot.
The quick movements and squawks of birds can sometimes frighten children. In addition, the high-pitched voices and quick movements of children sometimes frighten birds, especially those not accustomed to children.
The best approach is to go one small step at a time. Birds are curious and will respond to a child’s patient reading, singing, or feeding through the cage bars as a first step. Likewise, children often enjoy the “magical” properties of birds—their soft feathers and their ability to fly.
Children can learn much about responsibility by caring for pets; however, it is an unrealistic expectation that a child can be entirely responsible for a creature as complicated to care for as a bird.
Humane Organizations and Parrot Rescue Networks
Shelters or rescue organizations are another place to meet your species. Most humane societies have birds for adoption, as do bird rescue organizations and exotic bird clubs. Keep in mind, however, that a foster and rescue network serves the increasing number birds given up by the people who purchased them. Knowing the reason your potential companion was surrendered is important. Owners who made poor choices about pet selection may be surrendering birds with behavior or diet-related health problems. In addition, the emotional and physical health of these birds is often compromised. Even though a bird may be healthy at the time he’s adopted, the stress of being relinquished, kept at a shelter, and then relocated again does not create the best conditions for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Accordingly, as you look at the birds and talk with the organization’s staff and volunteers, keep your requirements and questions in mind. The best situation is one where you can visit several sources of the species of most interest to you and take a few days to consider what you’ve seen. Your relationship with your bird may last twenty or more years, so be selective.
To find a reputable rescue organization, look for a group that has been operating successfully for a number of years, has a board of directors who oversees the operation of the rescue, and is known to local veterinarians and bird clubs as a reputable and careful rescue. A rescue is not a place to acquire “free” birds. In fact, most reputable rescues have a lengthy adoption process and require you to complete a basic bird care course, and many will visit your home to ensure that you have adequate space and can safely care for a bird. Rescues operate in this way because, when people relinquish their birds, the rescue organization takes on the responsibility to care for the bird in a proper manner. This means finding families who will care for the bird long term.
In effect, rescue organizations will typically take you through the list of questions at the end of Chapter 1, making sure that you are ready for a bird. In addition, they’ll ask you to complete some education to ensure that you know how to care for the bird of your choice. Finally, they’ll visit you several times after your adoption to ensure that you are doing well with the bird you’ve chosen. For the rescue organization, it’s about finding the best home for the individual bird. That’s their focus.
Unfortunately, many parrots are given up to animal rescues and are waiting for their forever homes.
Seven Safety Tips for Interspecies Relationships
1.Clear bird areas of food debris that attracts other pets.
2.Clip cats’ toenails.
3.Confine cats and dogs when your birds are out of the cage.
4.Keep aquariums covered.
5.Leave a buffer zone between animal species.
6.Separate snakes, large lizards, ferrets, and other predatory pets from your bird zone.
7.Stop stalking behavior immediately.
Other Sources
Other sources of parrots include individuals or companies located through advertisements on local bulletin boards, newspapers, or online sources.
