When people consider buying a parrot they often go to pet stores or classified “parrots for sale” ads. While it’s possible to find a well-adjusted healthy baby parrot through these avenues, often the seller is unwilling or unable to provide all the information you need to care for your new pet. Locating a bird breeder who specializes in the type of parrot you want is a much better alternative.
Locating a bird breeder is usually easy, unless you’re hunting for a baby bird that isn’t common in aviculture, such as a hawk headed parrot or a hyacinth macaw. Breeders who provide more common birds, such as sun conures, blue and gold macaws or Solomon Island eclectus can be located fairly quickly.
Finding a parrot breeder is one thing—determining if the breeder deserves your business is quite another. Some breeders breed out of love for the birds and aviculture. Others breed parrots for profit. Each type of breeder has its advantages and disadvantages.
A hobby breeder often has the baby parrot’s best interests at heart, but some lack the experience and knowledge of professional breeders. Others know more about the parrots they breed than many professionals. Less scrupulous hobby breeders are individuals who view a breeding pair of parrots as easy income.
Professional breeders may specialize in multiple breeds of bird, and have significant knowledge about breeding and raising baby parrots. Large scale breeding facilities have the danger of devolving into (or starting out as) bird mills, where parrots are over bred to churn out as many babies as possible.
What to Look for in a Parrot Breeder
When looking for a parrot breeder, here are a few signs you want to see:
- A willingness to answer questions
- Allows you to visit the aviary / breeding facility
- Available for questions after the sale
- Baby parrots are healthy, tame and sociable
- Clean cages and healthy looking birds
- Feeds birds a healthy diet (not just seeds and pellets)
- Gives references on request
- Insists on sales contracts.
Some breeders would rather lose a sale than place a parrot in the wrong home (such as sell a sun conure to an apartment dweller, or a sensitive eclectus to a noisy, busy house). Such breeders are fantastic resources; even if they refuse to sell a parrot to you; they are usually willing to suggest more suitable breeds and have contacts with other breeders.
In contrast, avoid any bird breeder who:
- Is unwilling to provide references or sale contracts
- Is willing to sell you a parrot sight unseen
- Keeps breeding birds in cramped, dirty quarters
- Refuses to let you view the aviary
- Suggests you buy an unweaned baby parrot
- Tries to pressure you into making an impulse purchase.
The only valid reason to refuse access to an aviary is if the facility is a closed aviary (designed to prevent the introduction of disease). Unfortunately, some bird mills may claim to be a closed aviary to avoid close scrutiny. Ask around at local bird clubs if you doubt a breeder’s claim to a closed aviary, or trust your instincts and look elsewhere.
Consider Adoption
If you’re a first time parrot owner, buying a baby parrot from a reputable breeder is the best way to ensure your new pet is happy, tame and healthy. More experienced parrot owners may want to explore adopting a parrot from a rescue facility. Abandoned parrots are rapidly becoming as common as unwanted dogs and cats, and can make loving companions, although they often come with special needs and are best suited for the more experienced aviculturist.
