by Geoff Wakeling

Created on: March 22, 2009

Keeping birds, whether they are poultry, finches, parakeets or other families, can be a complete joy. Bird behaviour is fascinating to discover and many of the parakeet and parrot species can give as much love and personality as a cat or dog could. However, often fragile and stressed easily it is essential that a healthy bird is chosen otherwise tragedy could quickly ensue, leaving your family with an empty bird cage and a pile of sad feathers.

An important factor to decide upon when looking for a new bird is where to buy from. Whilst you may be inclined to go to the nearest pet store as an easy and quick option, be wary. Birds kept here can often be highly stressed due to the retailing environment surrounding them. They are inevitably kept in close proximity to one another and to other bird and animal species making the passage of disease a higher risk. Increasing this risk is that most of the birds will have come from a variety of stockists making disease prevention more difficult. A healthy looking bird can often be bought and once home develops an illness in only a matter of hours or days.

Use the internet, local directories and bird magazines such as "Bird Keeper" or "Cage & Aviary Birds" as a source for local breeders. Buying direct from the breeder offers a number of advantages than that of pet shop purchasing. You can visit the breeder to inspect the bird's home environment, you can see what they've been fed, how they've been kept. Most breeders are more than happy to show you around in addition to offering plentiful advice which money can't put a price on. Any breeder that doesn't seem open to showing you where the bird has been kept and raised should be avoided at all costs.

Whichever source you decide upon first look around at the immediate environment, is it clean, tidy? Whilst the birds may look healthy, a dirty and unpleasant environment may mean that they are harbouring viruses or parasites such as lice and worms. Their immune system may also be weakened which, combined with the stress of transporting home, could lead to illness and death.

Now look at the birds. It is important to choose the fittest, healthiest looking individuals so as to avoid disappointment when returning home. Any sitting hunched and listlessly on their perches should be avoided. Likewise, those with plumage missing, or seemingly harassed by other birds within their cage should be left. A healthy bird is one which is vocal, flits about its cage with bright eyes and cheery

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