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Birds--General/Place to buy a budgie

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Expert: - 11/10/2007


Question
Hi - I am 9 years old and my parents are going to let me buy a budgie for my
10th birthday in January '08.  I have been doing a lot of research and have
learned that you should get a bird who is as young as possible so that it gets
to like you.  We live in San Mateo, California (near San Francisco).  

Can you tell us where is a good place to go that is near by that we can get a
good budgie this January?  

Thank you,

Michele

Answer
Hi, Michele,

I'm sorry, but I don't keep this kind of information.  You can look in your local telephone book for what you need.  I recommend you purchase a just-weaned, handfed baby budgie from a reputable budgie breeder.  You may be able to find local bird breeders by looking on the internet using the search string "budgie breeders" or "parakeet breeders" or something similar.  Buying a bird young is important for tameness, but you need to buy a baby that has been handfed.  Handfed baby birds have imprinted on humans and this is what makes them tame.  If you buy from a pet shop, most of these birds are not tame, and you will have to tame the bird yourself.  This is not always an easy job and takes much time, patience by yourself and the bird.  You also need to know what you are doing in order to tame a bird.  Buying a just-weaned baby is important because the bird will still be imprinted on humans.  A bird that has been handfed then placed with other birds in a pet shop tend to loose their tameness over time.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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