plemmons@brain.mth.msu.edu (06/27/90)
Today, I stopped in one of the local pet stores and handled a bird that
I have been looking at for a few months. It is a Sun Conure. It has
not been sexed, but has the name Jake. They tell me that it is about
three years old and domestic, raised in Traverse City MI. It is missing
half of its right front toe, on its left foot, although it gets around
very well. It doesn't even seem to notice. It got right on my finger
and let me stroke its beak, but was a little shaky on scratching the
head. It has excellent feather condition, and seems to be in great
health. They want $650 for the bird.
My questions are:
1. Is there any sure fire way to tell if the bird is domestic? (I don't
think that I noticed a band.)
2. Is $650 a good price for this bird?
3. Should I be concerned about the toe, since it is completely healed
or born that way? The man helping me didn't know the history on the
toe.
Thanks,
Steve
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Steve Plemmons plemmons@mth.msu.edu
Math Department plemmons@frith.egr.msu.edu
Michigan State University 21144smp@msu.bitnet ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry) (06/27/90)
In article <1990Jun26.182925.2042@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> plemmons@brain.mth.msu.edu () writes: >health. They want $650 for the bird. >My questions are: >1. Is there any sure fire way to tell if the bird is domestic? (I don't > think that I noticed a band.) No. There is no sure fire way to tell if ANY bird is domestic save watching it hatch. Of course, there are some pretty good clues such as: if its hand feeding and not from South America, chances are its a domestic. South American birds are often brought in as chicks that are hand fed in quarantine, so being "hand fed" may not mean domestic. It would really be nice if one could trust bird sellers/breeders. The rule is to distrust everyone in this business until proven otherwise. >2. Is $650 a good price for this bird? Maybe. Do you like the bird? Do you like the bird's personality? Does s/he climb onto your finger and cuddle with your. Does s/he ask to be scratched? Do you even want a bird that is a cuddle-bunny? If not, then an import may even be a fine bird for you. (Unless, of course, you don't believe birds should be taken from the wild, OR you wish to promote American aviculture. Also, there's quite a lot to price. For example, hand feeding babies in this area go for $600. Babies are generally more expensive than adults (except for proven breeders and maybe even then). But then again, price shouldn't matter as much as how you enjoy that particular bird. >3. Should I be concerned about the toe, since it is completely healed > or born that way? The man helping me didn't know the history on the > toe. Missing toes are often a sign that the toe was bitten off in quarantine. Of course, this is by no means conclusive. The bird may have had an accident at an earlier stage. It is not often that birds are born this way. It won't win any bird shows, but a missing toe really shouldn't pose a problem for the bird.
heneghan@cbnewsd.att.com (joseph.t.heneghan) (06/28/90)
In article <1990Jun26.182925.2042@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> plemmons@brain.mth.msu.edu () writes: > They want $650 for the bird. > >2. Is $650 a good price for this bird? I'd get a copy of Bird Talk and get a local breeder. I've seen them advertised localy for ~$350. Joe Heneghan
doug@twins.SlaTow.COM (Doug Gerecht) (06/28/90)
In article <1990Jun26.182925.2042@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> plemmons@brain.mth.msu.edu writes:
1. Is there any sure fire way to tell if the bird is domestic? (I don't
think that I noticed a band.)
2. Is $650 a good price for this bird?
3. Should I be concerned about the toe, since it is completely healed
or born that way? The man helping me didn't know the history on the
toe.
Generally psiticine (sp?) birds that are sold commercially are required to be
banded. This, of course, varies from state to state. There are different
types of bands for quarantined vs. bred birds. My African Grey has a
quarantine band. It has a circular cross section (much like if you had taken
a nail and made it into a loop). The breeder's bands I've seen are flat and
usually have a year, the breeder's license number, and a sequence number for
identifying individual birds.
I wouldn't worry about the toe unless it is a birth defect and you are planning
on breeding the bird. There may not be any way of finding out except may to
look for scar tissue. In any case it may be a bargaining tool with the shop
to get a lower price.
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