Our Process for Adoption
First steps
Parrots are wonderful and highly intelligent creatures. With their complex personalities and long lifespan they can make for great companions, but because of these traits they are also a huge commitment. Generally the larger the species of parrot the longer their lifespan. Green cheeks and cockatiels can live 20-30 years while cockatoos and macaws can live 70+ years. If you have a child and you get a baby macaw they could very well have that pet when they’re retired. That can be an amazing life companion but only if the proper steps are taken to give the bird a happy, engaging, healthy, and safe home.
We pride ourselves on our knowledge and the upkeep of our store so a great first step can be visiting to learn more. All sorts of questions can come up and we are available to provide advice or recommendations based on what traits you’re looking for. Factors that we usually use to advise on which species might work best for you include handleability (all our birds are hand weaned and handleable but some species enjoy pets and cuddling more), noise level, size, and personality.
While some species are more likely to talk there is never a guarantee – no matter what species. We’ve seen African Greys that never said a word and cockatiels that spoke sentences. It always depends on the individual whether they choose to start mimicking words or not. If they start you can encourage the behavior with treats, but you can’t tell them to start talking.
Important Safety Considerations
#1 is no Teflon or non-stick coatings. Teflon is the brand name for a chemical coating of Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. At the high temperatures pot, pans, air fryers, and rice cookers use PTFE can break down into gaseous by product that are lethal to birds. This is not something that can be used safely even if the bird is away from the kitchen. If they are in the same home they can die.
#2 is no aerosolizing products or controlled use when necessary. Candles, aerosolized sprays like deodorant sprays, or anything that can get into the air like essential oils, incense, or cleaning products can be dangerous, though usually not to the same degree as PTFE. Perfume and colognes can usually be safe as long as it is away from the bird. Parrots have sensitive respiratory systems and it’s important not to let chemicals into the air.
We sell parrot-safe cleaning products in the store that we recommend. If you need to use strong cleaners, do home construction, apply paints or finishes, or expect the possibility of the home air not being safe you should have your bird boarded at a facility like ours or taken care of by a friend or family member that you trust.
#3 is preventing flight out of the house. We strongly believe that flight is good for your parrot’s physical and mental health. Flight is a learned behavior, and if young parrots have their wings clipped before they fledge (learn to fly) it can hinder their ability to ever learn how to fly well.
That is why we don’t recommend wing clipping, especially early, but with a flighted bird you have to be careful not to have doors or windows open to the outside while the bird is out of the cage. While parrots do not commonly bolt for exits like some dogs and cats, if they are startled by a sudden entrance at a door or some loud noise they can take flight and go outside. They usually do not know how to get back home if this happens.
Summary version:
Understand the commitment level
Research species you like or visit the store to learn and meet in person
Stop asking if the birds can talk
Review the important household safety considerations
Once you are ready to get a parrot
If you are coming from within 2 hours of the store we require at least 3 visits at the store with a parrot that you are wanting to take home. Each of the visits we will have you and the parrot spend time in person with each other in the aviary. Try to plan for at least 30 minutes, though you are welcome to do more! This is meant to prevent spontaneous purchases, improve the transition process to the new home, and make sure both you and the parrot are happy with each other. For those coming from far away or for those looking to arrange a specific species deposit we can work with you to accomodate.
At any time before or during a visit to the store we can take a deposit for a specific bird or species. The deposit is a flat half of the price with tax falling on the final payment when you go home. For birds in the store the deposit reserves the bird for you so that no one else may purchase or put a deposit down. For a species not currently in the store the deposit reserves the next baby to come in for you! We discuss and explain in person to make sure you understand what to expect before we take a deposit.
Before the going home day you should purchase a cage, a carrier, perches, food, and toys for a complete set-up for your bird. We prefer if you purchase cages through us and typically discount them when you are getting a parrot from us. If you already have a cage you must show us a picture of the setup so that we can verify it meets our cage sizing requirements for the species. (Cage Guide) We wean our birds onto a healthy diet and we also require you to purchase the same foods we use in the store so they have a continuation in their diet. We can’t force you to stay on that diet after going home but we hope you will continue with the healthy mix they’re used to or a similarly healthy diet.
Per our health guarantee policy if you plan a vet visit within a week of when you take your bird home and the vet finds any serious health problems we will offer a full refund or a different bird according to your wishes. Minor bacterial growth in fecal cultures are fairly normal and not a serious health concern though some vets will quickly prescribe antibiotics. Given how busy our local avian vets are we recommend contacting veterinarians as soon as your are certain of getting a parrot to schedule an appointment. (Local Avian Vets) While the vet appointment is not required we do recommend it, especially if you think you’ll need boarding as we require annual checkups.
Finally on the day you go home we’ll make sure you’re feeling confident and good about going home and are equipped with everything you’ll need. With your permission we’ll take a going home photo and send you and your new companion on your way! We really appreciate updates through social media with pictures of how our birds are doing. We spend months raising them and it’s very rewarding when we get to see them happy in their new homes.
Summary Version:
Plan for 3 visits to the store or contact us if coming from far away or for a specific species in advance
When certain, put a deposit down either on a specific bird in the store or for the next baby for a species not in the store currently
Before the go-home day purchase a cage, a carrier, food, toys, and perches. Setup the cage at home so that it is ready
Make a vet appointment for the same week you plan on going home with your new parrot