Signs Of A Good Amazon Parrot Breeder
If you are thinking of having a kid but really want a better alternative, get a parrot. They live about as long as a child but they never quit college on you and run up your credit card. If you are looking for your first parrot, consider adopting a parrot from a rescue center. If you specifically want one of the many species that make up Amazon parrots, then it's best to look for a good Amazon parrot breeder for your bird.
Never Buy A Bird Sight Unseen
Perhaps you've heard this advice for puppies or for property, but it also works for parrots. Never take the Amazon breeder's word for it about what condition the parrots are in. Although there are many ethical Amazon parrot breeders that have web sites featuring real pictures of actual birds for sale or for adoption, there are unethical Amazon parrot breeders who post false pictures on web sites. Go look for yourself.
Not only can you see what condition the particular parrot is in, but you can see the living conditions the bird has had to live in with this particular Amazon parrot breeder. The bird should be clean, mostly feathered and eating well. The cage or aviary should not be filthy and stink (although dropping s will be present due to birds being birds). There should not be cages full of dying or dead birds.
Other Things To Watch Out For
The bird for sale from an Amazon or Eclectus parrot breeder is often very young. However, they shouldn't bee too young. You should never by a parrot that is so young they can't eat pellets yet. If they are still on a liquid diet, then they are not considered "weaned". You want a weaned bird. You also want a bird with all of the feathers grown in.
There also should be a contract. No contract - no sale. It's that simple. If your Amazon parrot breeder claims that he or she has had hundreds of happy customers and never had a written contract, don't believe a word of it. Get out of there as fast as possible, even if you feel sorry for the bird. There's something fishy going on if there are no contracts.
There should always be some sort of health guarantee for the bird from a good Eclectus or Amazon parrot breeder. They can't guarantee that they bird will never get sick in its long life, but it shouldn't croak before you get it home.
