All You Need to Know Before Buying a Bird Online

Introduction

Are you considering getting a pet bird, but you're not sure where to start? Do you want to avoid the hassle of going to a pet store and navigating through all the options available? If so, online bird shopping might be right up your alley.

Buying birds online has become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. It's convenient, cost-effective, and it can even be fun! But there are certain precautions and steps that need to be taken before taking the leap.

In this article, we'll explore all you need to know before buying a bird online. From researching breeds to setting up an appropriate cage, we cover it all so that you can confidently make this life-changing (for both of you!) decision with knowledge in hand.

Types of Birds Available for Sale Online

If you're looking to buy a bird online, the first thing you should know is the variety of species available. From parrots and finches to toucans and macaws, there are all sorts of special feathered friends out there for you to choose from.

When it comes to the types of birds you can find online, the list is nearly endless – but there are a few common types that stand out. Parakeets, cockatiels and lovebirds make popular first-time bird purchases due to their small size and moderate care requirements, while larger parrots like macaws have a tendency to be more demanding – but equally rewarding – additions to your home.

Whether you're looking for a colorful companion or an intelligent pet with personality, it pays to do your research before narrowing down your selections. Consider factors such as lifespan, noise level, and dietary needs — taking into account both physical space constraints as well as costs associated with owning a bird — before bringing one home!

Pros and Cons of Buying a Bird Online

Buying a pet online is a bit of a balancing act. On one hand, you can easily shop around to find the right breed and price – and the convenience of having the bird arrive at your door is unbeatable. On the other hand, buying something like a living animal sight unseen comes with risks. So does that mean you should forget about buying a bird online? Not necessarily! Weighing out the pros and cons will help you decide if it's worth it for you.

Here’s what to consider before making an online purchase:

• Pro: You have access to many more breeds than might be available in stores near you.
• Con: It’s important to make sure that the seller is legit and respected in their industry, or else you might be overpaying or even getting scammed.
• Pro: If you buy from an accredited breeder, there's a chance that your pet has already been socialized and some skill training done for it, so it can hit the ground running when it gets home with you.
• Con: Unfortunately, unless otherwise noted, what arrives may not look exactly like what was pictured on the website—plumage coloration can take time to develop and often looks much different from when they're young chicks.

At the end of the day, buying a bird online is often faster and cheaper than going through pet shops – but only if done responsibly! With enough research and information about breeders or rescue organizations, this path can lead to finding your ideal pet – safely and securely.

Considerations Before Buying a Bird

When you're considering a purchase, especially of a live animal, there's a lot more to think about than just the price. Before buying a bird online, make sure that you understand the basics of safe shipping, what to look for in an online seller and know what type of bird will fit into your home.

Safe Shipping

Ensuring that your bird arrives at its new home safely is obviously essential, and it's important to make sure that the online seller is taking all necessary precautions for it. Ask questions such as: Does the seller use only professional animal shipping companies? What type of packaging do they use? Does the carrier have experience with birds? These are all important questions to ask before you commit to an purchase.

Seller Reputation

You want to do your due diligence when it comes to researching the reputation of an online seller before you commit and buy one of their birds. Check customer reviews, ask other bird owners and conduct an internet search for any sort of complaints—that way, you can help ensure that you're getting your perfect little pet from someone who knows how to treat them right.

Researching Bird Types

Last but not least, make sure that you've done some research on different types of birds before buying one. Does the bird require specialized care? Is this particular breed considered noisy? All these factors will play into which type of bird is best for your home and lifestyle—so take some time to be sure that the purchase you make is something that will fit in with the rest of your life.

What to Look for in a Healthy Bird

When purchasing a bird online, you should always look for certain qualities that indicate a healthy bird. Even if you don't have extensive experience with avian care, it's easy to spot the signs of a feathered friend in good shape.

Proper weight

Healthy birds should have an ideal body weight and should not appear thin or emaciated. Additionally, the bird should move gracefully and stand on the perch evenly so they can be balanced when they land and hop across branches.

No bald spots

A healthy bird should have no bald spots or visible skin lesions on their feathers or body. In addition, there should be no visible discharge from their nostrils or around the eye area.

Clear eyes

The eyes of a healthy bird should be bright, clear, and focused as well as symmetrical in appearance with no evidence of inflammation or swelling. It is also important to look for any signs of discharge from their eyes that may indicate an infection or illness.

Clean vent area

The vent area of a healthy bird’s body should be devoid of any parasites such as mites and lice as well as clearly visible fecal material which can indicate health issues such as nutritional deficiencies or parasites.

In short, when buying a bird online you want to make sure they appear alert and active with no signs of weakness or ill health in order to ensure you are getting a healthy pet to bring home with you!

What to Expect When You Buy a Bird Online

If you’re thinking of buying a bird online, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

It’s important to know what to expect before purchasing a bird online, as it may not be the same experience as shopping in your local pet store. Here are just some of the things to consider:

Quality of Breeder

The quality of breeder you choose is crucial to having a positive buying experience. Ask friends and family for referrals, or research potential breeders online. Look at their website, read reviews, and find out if they have any certifications or awards that can let you know about their level of expertise in providing birds for sale.

Shipping Costs & Times

Shipping costs may be higher when purchasing from an online breeder versus your local pet store. Make sure to factor this into your budget and do research on the cost of shipping from different breeders if you’re considering more than one option. Additionally, keep an eye on shipping times and make sure that the bird will arrive during the appropriate temperature range so that it isn’t subjected to too much heat or cold during transit.

Payment Methods Accepted

Knowing which payment methods are accepted by different breeders is essential before deciding where to buy your new feathered friend. Credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets – all of these should be taken into account when researching which breeder you want to purchase from online.

FAQs About Buying Birds Online

Before diving into the wonderful world of buying pet birds online, there are a few questions you should have answered. In this section, we’ll provide a few FAQs about buying birds online to help you out.

Is buying birds online safe?

Yes! Buying birds online is usually very safe, due to the booming pet industry and the increasing demand for health-checked and ethically-raised birds. Many reputable breeders now offer their own delivery services for their birds, so that all of the necessary paperwork, vet checks and legal regulations are met before the bird starts its journey home.

What type of bird should I buy?

The type of bird you choose will be based on your lifestyle and preferences. Some common types of pet birds that can be bought online include budgies, cockatiels, African Grays, lovebirds Canaries, Finches and Cockatoos. Do some research on each species to get an understanding of their personalities and care requirements before deciding on a particular one!

What kind of payment is accepted?

Most breeders prefer payment through a bank transfer or PayPal but may also accept credit cards or cash on collection in person if you’re going to pick up the bird yourself. Be sure to check with the breeder in advance - they should be able to guide you through any payment procedure they use.

By asking these questions ahead of time and doing your research, you can ensure that you get a healthy and happy bird when purchasing from reputable breeders online!

Conclusion

Buying a bird online is a big commitment — one that should not be taken lightly. From considering the bird’s welfare to being prepared for the financial commitment of caring for a pet bird, there are a lot of factors to consider before scrolling through the endless array of pet birds for sale.

We hope this article has given you the insight and information you need to make an informed decision. If after reading this, you realize that you’re not yet ready to bring a bird into your home, you may want to consider volunteering at a local bird rescue, or just visiting your local pet store to spend time getting to know the birds they have available. Whatever your decision is, we wish you the best of luck as you embark on your bird-related journey.