Birds For Dummies. Gina Spadafori

glean the most from visiting a pet store by being friendly and open. Being opinionated is one thing, but you won’t get very far being judgmental. Watch, listen, and learn.

      

More than anything else, you’re looking for evidence of current knowledge, progressive thinking, and a willingness to share information. A cage label that clearly identifies a bird’s age and indicates that the bird has been started off right with a high-quality food is one example of that kind of evidence. Proper care, including proper diets, is the sign of a store owned, managed, and staffed by people who are in the business because they love birds.

      Breeders

      Some breeders sell directly to the public. To evaluate them, you need to use many of the same criteria you would apply to pet stores. Evidence of current, accurate information is probably the most important sign that you’re dealing with someone of merit. The odds are greater that their birds will be of merit, too.

      

Good breeders, like good pet stores, don’t want to place their babies, to whom they’ve devoted so much time and attention, into a home where they won’t be cherished. Don’t be offended if you’re asked lots of questions — it’s the sign of a caring seller. Expect to be asked about your living circumstances, how long you’re away from home every day, if you’ve ever had birds before, how many birds you have now, and so on.

A good seller will refuse to place a bird with a person who’s looking for a bird to match the color of the carpet. Folks with character and integrity want their babies to match your heart.

      Private parties

      A person selling a single bird can be the hardest of all to get a read on. Of course, the first question you need to ask is, “Why is this bird for sale?” A good answer may be “The owner died.” A response such as “It bit the heck out of my husband” warrants a little eyebrow raising.

      In the same way you should check out a bird in a pet store, look for signs of quality care and good health in a pet being offered by an individual. We think everyone deserves a second chance (or third, or fourth), and birds are no exception. If only we could put every one of the unwanted birds back into their natural habitats! But because that dream is unrealistic, we promote the importance of connecting with the kind of human care these animals so richly deserve.

      

Don’t let your altruism override your common sense. Go into any purchase with your eyes wide open — especially when you’re dealing with a bird someone else is dying to get rid of.

      STICKER SHOCK

      Don’t bargain-hunt when it comes to birds. Raising healthy birds to be good pets is expensive, time-consuming work. If you find a “bargain,” stop and ask yourself what corners may have been cut in the nurturing process. The bird may come from a mass-production facility that made little or no socialization effort or may be ill or in unknown health. In either case, the bird’s potential for becoming a good pet is greatly reduced. He’s no bargain, at any price!

If a bird’s cost exceeds your budget, you’re better off choosing a less expensive species than trying to get a “bargain” on a more expensive bird. You can purchase some of the smaller parrots, for example, for a fraction of the price of their larger cousins. Better to spend $100 on a healthy, well-socialized cockatiel than $100 on a sick Amazon with behavior problems — even if the Amazon’s price is touted as the “sale of the century.” A sick or unmanageable bird is no bargain. Price is one factor to consider, but it’s not the primary one.

Protecting Your Rights

      No matter where or from whom you buy a bird, don’t proceed without a written sales contract and warranty. That’s for your protection, and for the seller’s protection as well. As with any legal document, read it carefully and make sure you’re comfortable with the terms before closing the deal.

      A good sales contract strongly recommends or requires that the bird be examined by a veterinarian, usually within 48 to 72 hours of purchase but sometimes within a 14-day period. The warranty should spell out what will happen if your bird is found to be ill or have a preexisting medical problem. Some agreements may require a second opinion to confirm the problem. Compensation for medical expenses to treat a sick bird may be limited or nonexistent.

      As a buyer, you may have some responsibilities set forth in the contract, too. For example, the sales contract may require you to keep your new bird separate from other birds in your home for a set period of time so that, if you return her, she won’t pose a hazard to others in the breeder’s aviary or nursery or to avian residents of the pet store.

      Under the terms of most contracts, the seller may offer a refund after you return the bird or, more likely, the seller will replace the sick bird with another one. This is especially true when you’re dealing with the more costly species. An aviculturist or pet store is unlikely to give you a refund or replace a sick bird unless you return the original bird. That is one very good reason to take a new bird for a veterinary check immediately, before you become attached, although even then it may be too late — when you take possession of a bird, you may fall in love quickly. This is also why it’s so important to investigate the seller and make sure you’re satisfied with the care she provides to the birds being bred or sold. That’s the best way to save money on a bird purchase.

Part 2

      Caring for Your Bird

IN THIS PART …

      Find out what you need for your bird.

      Know what to do when you bring your bird home.

      Feed your bird what she needs.

      Handle your bird the right way.

Chapter 4

      Preparing for Your Bird’s Arrival

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Choosing the right cage

      

Picking the perfect perch for your pal

      

Shopping for dishes and waterers

      

Engaging your bird’s mind

      

Freshening the air

      

Tidying up

      Love to shop? Need a reason to? You’re in the right place at the right time. Your bird needs some gear, and you want to shop — you’re a perfect match!

      If you like to spend money on your pets, you’re certainly not alone. The pet-supplies industry is huge, a multibillion-dollar dynamo that thrives through boom times and recessions alike. From mom-and-pop pet stores to big chain stores to