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Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Hi to everyone on the Alexandrine Forum
My friend is hoping to buy an Alexandrine. Unlike other countries, there are very few shops in the UK where Parrots can be bought. Consequently, our options are very limited. There are birds sold by private sellers on websites such as ‘preloved’ or ‘Pets4Homes’ but we will not go down that route, as my friend and I have little/no experience in spotting things that are wrong or any potential problems. And so to the reason for posting this question ... My friend Ruth has seen a couple of Alexandrines being sold by a shop who takes the birds in when they are ready to be sold - he doesn’t breed or rear them himself. I am attaching a photo of parrots, together with screenshot photos of two comments that he made to her yesterday (in answer to her questions). I am not sure whether the Rules allow for Members to comment on specific birds that are not yet owned but, if it is allowed, would anyone be able to say if these birds look like they are just 14 weeks old, whether they look in good condition and also if they are likely to grow much more (if they are as he states just 14 weeks old)? Any advice and comments would be really be appreciated as this is the only seller in a our region who is Local Council Registered. Thank you. Cheerio LuLu.F |
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Laurasea ![]() |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
A link on the hormonal stage, most of us have to deal with some sort of bumps in the road during this
https://www.thesprucepets.com/bluffi...parrots-390306
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"When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear. "Thomas Sowell |
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Flboy (10-15-2020) |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
And a couple of my favorite articles
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress...ot-companions/ https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/ http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles...rd-safe-homes/
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"When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear. "Thomas Sowell Last edited by Laurasea; 10-11-2020 at 10:24 AM. |
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Flboy (10-15-2020) |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Laurasea.
Thank you SO much for all your thoughts, advice and links - Laurasea - they will all be extremely helpful to both Ruth and me. LuLu.F |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
aww you are welcome
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"When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear. "Thomas Sowell |
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Flboy (10-15-2020) |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Also adding to what has already been said, if the birds are not banded to indicate the age of the bird. You can tell if a young Alexandrine by it's eyes, a young Alexandrine's eyes are still dark, they don't develop that white ring around their iris (I believe) just close to a year. Additionally, you will not tell if it's a male only close to 2 years of age when it will develop that prominent ring around it's neck. Otherwise, it is difficult to distinguish the bird's sex until after 2 years unless you get a DNA sex of the bird as young Alexandrine's resemble a female. Thus, these are the two characteristics I always look at when sellers (breeders) are trying to sell young Alexandrines (saying they are less than a 1 yr old) when they are actually at least 2 years old.
Moreover, parrots in my experience are similar to shy dogs where they need to feel confident and trust in you. Similar to a new dogs, parrots need that sense of consistency with their care giver. Subsequently, once they let their guard down and fully trust you, Alexandrines in my experience are amazing and such underrated parrots and as you can develop that bond with them and you can see their individual personality. Hope that helps. |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Soloist
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to respond to my question - your comments and advice are most helpful. LuLu.F |
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Flboy (10-15-2020) |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Hello,
I don't think the bird on the left is a youngster, but the bird on the right is (young birds eyes are basically all dark so they look big. Older birds have a defined iris that is white to orange in Alex's). Young birds also have a goofy, stupid look to them, which the bird on the right has, but not the one to the left. Are they meant to be siings or just birds of a similar age from different breeders? The size won't change very much, but their tails may get longer if they still have "baby" tails or of they are broken, which they often are when they are young. They both look to be healthy, but it's worth noting that only the most obvious illness can be visually seen in birds. Your friend needs to go and interact with the birds and see what she thinks of them and vice versa. |
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LuLu.F (10-15-2020) |
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Re: Alexandrine- Age & Condition? .... Help and Advice
Jottlebot
Your observations, comments and advice are extremely helpful and will definitely give us more confidence when we go to view the parrots we are interested in at the shop. Tbh, it is all a bit daunting but I am so glad to have come across ParrotForums because the support and advice has been invaluable. Thank you LuLu.F |
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