When considering bringing a feathered friend into your home, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to adopt or buy your bird. Both options have their pros and cons, and the right choice will depend on your specific situation and preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to decide if adoption or purchase is the best way to find your perfect companion.
Key Differences Between Adopting and Buying
Here’s a quick overview of some of the main differences between adopting and buying a pet bird:
Cost
Adoption is often much more affordable than buying from a breeder or pet store. Adoption fees are typically under $100, while purchased birds can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the species.
Age
Adoptable birds are usually older juvenile or adult birds, while bought birds are often very young babies. Older birds are easier to care for but may have previous trauma. Babies require more hands-on care.
Training and Socialization
Adopted birds may or may not be hand-tamed or socialized, while reputable breeders work extensively with babies to ensure they will bond with owners. But socialization can continue with adopted birds.
Breed and Background Information
Purchased birds will come with detailed breeding and health background. Adoption history is often unknown. But this allows for surprise gorgeous mixes.
Health and Behavioral Challenges
Adopted birds are more likely to have previous health or behavior issues. However, reputable rescues disclose any known problems. Vet exams can further identify conditions.
Pros and Cons of Adopting a Bird
Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of adopting your feathered friend:
Pros
- Adoption fees are usually under $100, much cheaper than buying a similar type and age bird
- You’ll be providing a safe, loving home to a bird in need who may otherwise be euthanized
- Adoptions require contracts ensuring you’ll properly care for the bird, unlike impulse buys
- Adoption applications allow you to specify desired species, age, and temperament to find the best match
- Adult birds’ personalities and noise levels are predictable, compared to unknowns with unweaned babies
- Fostering-to-adopt allows trial periods to ensure bird-human compatibility
Cons
- Adopted birds are more likely to have previous trauma, behavior problems or chronic health conditions
- Training and taming progress may be slower if the bird is untamed
- Age, breed mix, and genetic background details are often unknown
- Choosing among many sweet adoptable birds can be an emotionally hard process
- Young children may be better matched with hand-fed baby birds versus unknown adult birds
Pros and Cons of Buying a Bird
Purchasing a bird from a breeder or pet store has its own mix of advantages and drawbacks:
Pros
- Specific species, color mutations, and other physical traits can be chosen
- Breeders socialize babies extensively to support bonding, unlike orphaned adoptees
- Medical history, genetic background, parentage, birthdate, and other details are known
- Can observe personalities of individual babies before selecting one
- Avoid guesswork about long-term noise levels, temperament, and behavior
Cons
- Purchasing from breeders or stores often costs anywhere from $200 to over $2,000
- No requirement for buyers to have bird care knowledge and preparation
- Pet store birds are often mass-bred in mills with poor welfare standards
- Medical and personality surprises still possible despite known history
- Extensive early handling makes babies very attached to humans over same-species bonds
Key Considerations in Deciding Between Adoption and Buying
Here are some important factors to weigh as you decide which route is right for you:
Your Budget
For many people, the lower cost makes adoption theautomatic choice. Budget several hundred dollars beyond the adoption fee for a vet exam, supplies, and potential medical treatment. Reputable breeders rarely sell birds cheaply.
Time Commitment
Adopted birds require time and patience for socialization, bonding, and training. If you want a pet ASAP, or have limited time, a hand-fed baby or tamed adult may adapt faster.
Types of Birds Desired
If you’ve got your heart set on a specific rare breed, like a palm cockatoo, you’ll likely need to buy from a specialty breeder. But common parrots and finches are readily available via adoption.
Age Preferences
Adopting is ideal for adult birds, while buying ensures you get a youngster. Note babies initially need round-the-clock care. An older bird could suit busy adults’ lifestyles better.
Health History Concerns
For people nervous about potential health issues in rescue birds, the detailed histories from avian vets that breeders provide can give peace of mind.
Training and Bonding
If prioritizing a deeply bonded bird that engages in lots of handling and training activities is vital, purchased baby birds are at an advantage over unknown adult adoptees.
Saving a Life
Many people feel strongly about reducing euthanasia rates for unwanted birds. Adopting is the most direct way to save a life and reduce avian overpopulation.
Questions to Ask Before Adopting or Buying
Here are some key questions to get answered to ensure you find the right bird:
If Adopting
- Why is the bird being rehomed? Was it surrendered or orphaned?
- How long has the bird been at the shelter or foster home?
- What is known about the bird’s personality, noisiness, diet preferences, and behavior challenges?
- How much training and socialization has the bird undergone?
- Does the bird have any ongoing health issues and what is the treatment plan?
- What supplies are needed based on species, size, etc?
If Buying from a Breeder
- What health and genetic testing was performed on the parents and chicks?
- Can I observe the bird personality in person before committing?
- What is the source of breeding stock birds? Imported or domestic?
- How were chicks raised and socialized?
- What is the breeder’s background and years in the practice?
- Will there be ongoing breeder mentorship and support?
If Buying from a Pet Store
- Where were the birds bred? Ask specifically about USDA-licensed facilities.
- Can you handle and interact with the bird directly before purchase?
- How long have the birds been at the store? Longer stays mean less socialization.
- What specific diet, lighting, and housing has the bird been acclimated to?
- Does the store offer any health guarantees?
- What is the return/exchange policy if personality or health issues emerge?
How to Prepare Your Home Before Adoption or Purchase
To ensure a smooth transition, set up housing and gather supplies in advance:
Pick a Species-Appropriate Cage or Aviary
Select permanent housing large enough for when your bird reaches adult size. Start babies in smaller nursery cages at first. Clean the cage thoroughly before move-in.
Buy Essentials Like Food Bowls, Perches, and Toys
Have food, treats, foraging and chew toys ready based on the type of bird. Natural wood perches of varying widths must be available.
Bird-Proof Any Potential Hazards
Remove anything harmful if ingested like Teflon pans, candles, or lead. Secure ceiling fans, wires, blind cords. Install window screens.
Learn Proper Handling Techniques
Improper restraint is dangerous and frightening for birds. Practice gently scooping up, supporting the body, and not squeezing too tightly.
Find an Avian Vet
Locate vets in your area experienced in bird care for exams, nail trims, bloodwork, and other essential healthcare. Meet vets before needing urgent visits.
Budget for Ongoing Costs
Account for regular expenses like food, bedding, toys, vet visits, grooming and boarding for vacations. Birds live many years. Saving ahead helps ensure lifetime care.
Baby Proof if Needed
Remove small objects babies could choke on. Move breakables up high. Install outlet covers. Never leave babies unsupervised outside cages. Supervise closely around other pets.
Read Up on Proper Care
Research care guides tailored to your bird species from avian vets and reputable sources like the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Understanding best practices in diet, housing, handling, training and enrichment ensures your bird thrives. Don’t rely on outdated misinformation that harms birds, like tiny cages or all-seed diets. Join online bird groups to learn and get questions answered.
Introducing Your New Bird to the Home
Here are some tips for helping adopted and purchased birds transition smoothly to your home:
Give Them Time to Adjust
Moving to a new home with unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, people, pets, routines and expectations is very stressful for birds. Set them up in a quiet area and resist overhandling and overstimulation at first. Sit nearby and talk or read out loud to get them used to your voice and presence gradually.
Slowly Introduce New Areas
Once settled into their cage, after a few days you can allow short supervised explorations of new rooms in your home. Going too fast can re-traumatize rescue birds. Keep predators like cats separated.
Don’t Force Interactions
Build trust through scheduled routine care like feeding, water changes, and cage cleaning. Sit by the open cage and allow the bird to approach you instead of grabbing at them. Reward curiosity with treats. Handle babies frequently, but pause if they protest.
Watch Closely for Signs of Stress
Look for increased hiding, aggression, screaming, feather plucking, refusal to eat, or respiratory distress. Stress makes birds prone to life-threatening illness. Regulate interactions to keep things calm.
Prevent Escapes
Even tame birds may panic and attempt to fly away in a new environment, risking injury or becoming lost. Trim flight feathers as needed. Ensure doors and windows stay shut. Use harness and leash for outdoor time.
Training and Bonding With Your New Bird
Forming a strong bond and continuing training takes patience:
Hand Feed Treats
Use favorite snacks to reward desired behaviors like stepping on your hand or finger. Go at your bird’s pace and don’t force things. Short, structured, positive sessions work best.
Practice Target Training
Use a stick with a soft tip to teach your bird to touch it with their beak. Gradually shape this into targeting or touching your finger. This builds willingness to approach on cue.
Work on Step Up and Step Down
“Step up” and “step down” are key cues for birds to voluntarily step on and off your hand. Never snatch birds away if they refuse. Just try luring again with a treat. Birds want safety and choice.
Chat and Sing with Your Bird
Birds are very vocal creatures. Engage yours by talking, whistling, singing, making funny sounds, and mimicking their vocalizations. This helps form strong social bonds.
Spend Time Near the Cage
Sit quietly doing an activity like reading near your bird’s cage so they grow used to your presence. Avoid overstimulation like loud music. Talk or whistle softly.
Try Clicker Training
Clicker training is very effective for birds. The click sound marks desired behavior. Immediately reward clicks with a tasty treat. In no time, your bird will start actively offering cute tricks.
Enrichment Activities for Pet Birds
In addition to training, birds need novelty and fun! Here are ideas:
Provide Destroyable Wood Toys
Birds relish shredding apart wood, bark, and sisal toys. These aid natural foraging behaviors. Rotate new toys in regularly.
Offer Puzzles and Games
Games that require logic and object manipulation provide important cognitive challenges. Look for bird puzzles that dispense treats.
Put on Foraging Videos
Television can benefit birds! Play videos with nature scenes, bird sounds, or foraging footage to spark natural behaviors.
Use Food as Enrichment
Hide treats inside paper balls, boxes, egg cartons, or toilet paper rolls for fun discovery. Serve food chopped into pieces or on a shish kabob skewer. Provide branches with leaves or veggies attached.
Play Music or Audiobooks
Birds often like listening to human voices, nature sounds, or calm music. Introduce new genres gradually to pique interest.
Offer Outdoor Aviaries and Cold Frames
Allow supervised time outdoors in aviaries or wire cold frames so birds can get fresh air and watch activity. Never leave unsupervised. Use harness and leash for open space.
Arrange Bird Playdates
When well supervised, some birds enjoy interacting with others of same species. Personality matches are key. Watch closely for aggression.
lifetime together! Here’s to many happy years ahead.
Conclusion
Whether you decide to open your home to a bird needing rescue or choose the predictability of a hand-fed baby, preparation and education are key to success. Evaluate your time, budget, lifestyle and specific wants carefully. Ask lots of questions before adoption or purchase to find the right personality and needs match. Ensure proper housing, diet, enrichment and vet care are provided. Go slowly, watch for stress signals, and let the bird set the pace for bonding. With time, patience and effort, adopted or purchased birds can become beloved lifelong family members!