By John Catchpole

Buying a pet, particularly a parrot, is a very big commitment, and because of longevity, a parrot may well outlive you so great thought must be considered if you decide to include one into your life.  If you are buying for a pet (companion) be fully aware it will become a major part of your family, and will probably still be around when your kids have grown up and left home!  Below are some issues you should take into consideration.

• Take great care when considering which species will best suit you and your family
• Be sure you are buying from a reputable seller - do some research and ask questions
• If you live in a densely populated area, make sure you won't upset your neighbours as some parrot and parakeets can be quite noisy
• If you decide to buy a baby bird, make sure it is fully weaned and can independently feed itself
• Make sure you get a comprehensive bill of sale that fully identifies the bird and whether or not it is suitable for the purpose - pet or aviary for example
• A good sign is if the bird has a closed ring (a one piece ring, not split) on its leg or better still, has been micro-chipped
• Make sure you know the bird's history and where it has come from
• Make sure it has been bred in your country and has not been imported, which would mean it had probably been wild caught and survived a gruelling journey
• Consider what will happen to your bird when you go on holiday or are away
• Are you prepared to deal with veterinary bills from time to time?
• A healthy bird should appear 'bright eyed and bushy tailed', if it is not, it may well be unwell.  However, it can be quite tiring spending a lot of time 'on sale' so don't jump to conclusions too quickly!
• Beware of cheap deals as they can turn out to be the most expensive

Photo courtesy of Andrew Marven.