Birds For Dummies. Gina Spadafori

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but proper socialization is the key to developing companionship qualities in many ways. The two do not necessarily have to go together (and often don’t).

      

Although the situation may change in years to come, the practical reality for now is that if you want a baby bird who has been lovingly handled, you’re likely to buy one who has been hand-fed. And that’s fine — they make outstanding pets. But ask the seller about socialization — have the babies been handled regularly and gently? If you run into a breeder who lets parent birds do the feeding but still makes sure the babies are socialized, you’re probably in good hands — and you may have found the best of both worlds.

      Considering the prospect of an older bird

When you start looking for birds, you can expect to find a fair number for sale who are past — and in some cases, long past — their adorable baby stage. They become available for all the reasons other pets do — their owners died, moved, divorced, became bored with their birds, or couldn’t deal with their behavior problems. Are older birds eligible for your consideration? Yes! But you need to look at each candidate individually, because the details of every situation — such as behavior patterns reinforced over the years, good and bad — will vary.

      Before the age of sexual maturity

      

Young birds who are between the baby stage and the age of sexual maturity are often better candidates for settling in with a new owner. You’re more likely to be able to alter or outright prevent many behavioral problems, and your chances are greater for successfully converting a young bird to a healthier diet (if she isn’t on one already).

      

The onset of sexual maturity varies from species to species. Budgerigars and lovebirds become sexually mature rather quickly, at the age of 6 to 12 months or so. Other birds can take years before becoming sexually mature; for example, the hyacinth macaw often turns 7 years old before becoming interested in a mate.

      After the age of sexual maturity

      

Birds beyond the age of sexual maturity may be among the riskiest purchases you can make. Like people, grown-up birds are often set in their ways, and if their ways include some undesirable behaviors, you can expect to have a difficult time making any changes.

      Adolescent birds often go through a bitey period. Other behaviors that emerge during this “teenage stage” include sexual behaviors, whistling, singing, talking, and territorial behavior — metaphorically placing a “Keep Out!” sign on the front door of the cage. Now is a good time to stock up on toys and other items that it’s okay for your bird to destroy. When their African ringneck, Larry, went through this phase, Kim and her husband went through dozens of pairs of wooden chopsticks acquired from Chinese restaurants and sushi bars. Larry loved reducing them to wood chips.

      Some birds also become available because they’re sexually mature. Like human teenagers, birds can drive you crazy because hormones are driving them crazy. Some birds change from Jekyll to Hyde seemingly overnight, and people who don’t understand or know how to cope often give up their pets in frustration. Sometimes such birds pass from home to home to home, sold and sold again, becoming bigger problems at each stop. These birds are not necessarily good pet candidates; realistically, they’re rehabilitation projects at best and may be suited only for experienced bird keepers. These birds deserve a good home, but it needs to be the right home, with a loving and experienced owner.

With that word to the wise in mind, know that even among older birds, some real gems become available — birds with good manners and good health; loving, well-socialized birds who are fully capable of bonding with a new owner. Move with all due caution, but if you find such a bird, buy her. She’s a good deal and a good deed, all rolled into one.

      As the popularity of pet birds continues to hold, so, too, does the number of birds given up by their owners. The typical dog- and cat-oriented animal shelter isn’t really equipped to accept and rehome birds (although some do, of course). A variety of groups now operate to fill the gap, serving solely to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome pet birds. Some of these groups provide careful screening and extensive education of prospective owners to increase a bird’s chances of sticking in a new home. These organizations can be an excellent source of pet birds. To find one, talk to veterinarians, pet stores (especially those specializing in birds), and shelters in your area. We list a few in the appendix at the back of this book.

Finding a Reputable Source

      Two factors are arguably more important than any others when it comes to buying the right bird with pet potential:

       Species selection: Have you chosen the right kind of bird for what you want in a pet? Have you looked beyond the flash and feathers and selected the bird with the level of care, interactivity, and noise that you can live with? (If you’re not sure, turn to Chapter 2 for a look at pet bird species, or visit Chapter 19 for our list of best birds for beginners.)

       Finding a reputable source for a healthy, well-socialized pet: If you choose a species that’s right for you and then go to the wrong source to purchase your bird, you may be in store for a disaster as big as, if not bigger than, picking the wrong kind of bird in the first place.

      Retail outlets are not only the most popular places to get pet birds but also among the better sources. This advice is the opposite of what experts advise when people are looking for puppies and kittens. Reputable dog and cat breeders do not sell to pet stores. Pet-store puppies and kittens too often come from breeding operations where animals are mass-produced with no consideration for health or temperament, often under unspeakably cruel conditions. Others may come from casual local breeders with accidental litters to place.

The bird world is different. Although sickly, mass-produced birds are an occasional problem in the pet-bird trade, many pet stores either breed their own birds or contract exclusively with reputable local breeders. (Some retailers take care of the hand-feeding, while others buy only fully weaned babies.)

      For the bird buyer, putting pet stores into the mix means you don’t have to deal directly with a breeder to get a great pet bird. Sometimes you can’t go straight to the breeder — they work through pet stores because they don’t want contact with the public.

      

When you visit a reputable store or retailer, don’t be surprised if it seems as if you’re being interviewed as if you were adopting a human child. It’s a good sign if a retailer or breeder’s questions send the message, “Are you a good enough candidate to take home one of our babies?” It suggests they’ve put a lot of time and effort into raising special birds, and they want to make sure their birds go to the best homes possible.

      

Why do many aviculturists steer clear of selling directly to the

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