Worried About Bee-Bee Parakeet in pet store

Ashilde · Jul 23, 2019

Just want to say I am by no means any expert and why I am reaching out to you guys.

In summary there's been this cute canary wing bee-bee canary at a pet store for at least 5 months (poor thing). I'm an animal lover, and had regular parakeets as a kid and been thinking of possibly getting the little guy, but forestalled because I am rusty around birds and I also heard you don't want to buy birds from a pet store chain because it encourages bad breeders/cruel conditions or something to that effect.

Today when I went to see if he was still around, he didn't look so good in my opinion. He had what looks like little white spines and/or bristles poking out of the regular feathers on his head. Is this normal? I've attached some pictures with and without indicators of what I am talking about. Also, sorry for the quality - lighting is not the best.

Owlet · Jul 23, 2019

Those are pin feathers, perfectly normal for a molting bird.

Inger · Jul 23, 2019

I admire your concern for this little cutie! Owlet has already answered your main question - he's just growing new feathers.

As for buying from a pet store - well, this guy is already hatched. There's no going back on that. He deserves a wonderful home as much as the next bird. And as for you being rusty - you have us. This little friendly corner of the internet is loaded with experts (not me, but lots of them all the same) and kind, wonderful bird lovers who will be happy to guide you along.

Start reading everything right away and bring your new friend home soon.

LaManuka · Jul 24, 2019

Yair I don’t like encouraging the pet shops either - but I’ve always been a sucker for the last little birdie in the shop! Maybe this little guy has been waiting around for you ... (oops there i go again!)

Ashilde · Jul 24, 2019

Thank you all for this information and the encouragement. I guess having seen his feathers change over time I assumed the worst, but now I am feeling a lot better.

So after talking to some of the pet store staff, they said he would need a big cage, but they don't happen to sell them (go figure) so right now I am trying to look around for options. I'll peruse the forums further for more information, but if you guys have any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated!

wrench13 · Jul 24, 2019

Bee-bee's are wonderful companion parrots, we had our Max for 6 yrs before he passed ( cause un-known, but likely stupidity on our part). They used to be the #1 parrot sold in the US in the early 1920s. They LOVE people and actually seek out human company in the wild. This little guy is going thru a molt and those are pin feathers, waiting to be come off of new fresh feathers.

We miss our Maxie almost every day.

wrench13 · Jul 24, 2019

A good sized cockatiel cage would be about right for him.

Ashilde · Aug 5, 2019

Thank you everyone again for the information and support! Finally brought home the little guy and he's the sweetest little thing in the world. He was a bit shy at first, but is already riding my shoulder (and occasionally the top of my head) and has made himself at home already.

One worry I have though is that the pet store say they've been pretty much feeding him seed-based parakeet food. I bought some pellets and some fruit and veggies, but as expected I think the sight/smell of veggies and pellets is so foreign to him he doesn't realize they are food. I've been trying to mix up the pellets with some seed, but he just upturns his beak at the concoction or just digs out the sunflower seeds. Going to further peruse the forums, but if you have any pointers on how to introduce new (healthier) foods, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Flboy · Aug 5, 2019

This is a really nice outcome! For you both!

Scott · Aug 5, 2019

Wonderful, glad you took the plunge! You'll make a huge difference in this bird's life.... and find yourself well rewarded.

Changing of diet is a complex process, most important is to never starve a bird. Check this thread for some helpful techniques: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html This and the other "sticky" threads in the Recipes and Foods forum are invaluable.

As for pellets, most birds can be successfully transitioned. Not pushing Harrison's, but their conversion protocol worked beautifully for my flock of 8: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/using-our-foods/small-bird-conversion/ No reason this process could not be used for any brand of pellets.

wrench13 · Aug 5, 2019

Congrats ! You will not be sorry. BeeBee's can talk, a bit, in their high squeaky voice and can whistle up tunes better than cockatiels can.

JuicyNip · Aug 5, 2019

wrench13 said:
Congrats ! You will not be sorry. BeeBee's can talk, a bit, in their high squeaky voice and can whistle up tunes better than cockatiels can.

You're making me want one. Stop telling us how cute they are!

wrench13 · Aug 5, 2019

JuicyNip said:
wrench13 said:

Congrats ! You will not be sorry. BeeBee's can talk, a bit, in their high squeaky voice and can whistle up tunes better than cockatiels can.

Click to expand...

You're making me want one. Stop telling us how cute they are!

Sorry, I can't. If it weren't for the fact that our Max died totally unexpetedly and having one around so soon after his passing would be so painfull emotionally, we'd have one still. Max would hang out on the back of our couch and if you put your hand along it, he would run over, and SHOVE his head into your palm, for scratchies. Move your hand a lil bit, and he would follow it along.

He said a few things, but he could whistle really well, doing things like the William Tell Overture, Star Wars, and Beethovens 9th Symphony themes.

LaManuka · Aug 6, 2019

Yeah I just KNEW you’d get sucked in - congratulations on the new baby, do we have a name yet?

As far as the conversion to a healthier diet is concerned, maybe as an interim measure you could just pick the sunflower seed junk food out of his mix for now and worry about pellets a little further down the track? With the vegies you can make a big show of eating them yourself and make lots of “mmmm yummy!!” sounds to see if that piques his interest.

Looking forward to hearing more and seeing photos

wrench13 · Aug 6, 2019

FYI - dat's a great way to introduce new diet, esp w/BeeBee parrots; they just gotta have what you're eatin'.

wrench13 · Aug 6, 2019

Name?? So we don't have to refer to him as the Lil guy.

LeaKP · Aug 6, 2019

I’ve wanted a little Bee Bee for as long as I can remember. Extremely jealous over here!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ashilde · Aug 16, 2019

Sorry for the delay guys - I'd like you to meet Akielle (ah-kee-el-eh)! The name is weird and it's a long story, but he seems to react to it pretty well.

So far what you have said in posts about Bee-bees has been spot on. He absolutely loves to sing to music and only after a week, he's basically stuck on my hand/shoulder like velcro.

Also about his diet - having him see what I was eating worked! Here's the little miscreant chompin' down on some mango after I demonstrated how yummy it was. It's funny to see him trying out things, like spinach, after setting an example.

Allee · Aug 16, 2019

Congratulations on getting out of the pet store and finding a forever home Akielle!

Thank you so much for adopting Akielle! Beautiful bird, I’m so happy for you. Thank you for sharing your story.

T00tsyd · Aug 16, 2019

Syd was seed fed when I got him. It took a while both for him to understand what veg/pellets was and for me to see what he actually liked. Try eating some in front of him and making a great show of how good it is, then if he shows interest offer it from your hand. Syd took great delight in throwing anything he didn't approve of out of the cage and at me if he got the chance.

One day I put his veg in with him and hid. He made sure I wasn't looking and promptly munched away happily. The little toad - I saw the other side of him that day. Now he eats veg first then pellets. Seeds are an occasional treat and sunflower seeds are very rationed for training. I was told they are like feeding him beefburgers.

It's very early days and once the honeymoon period is over don't be surprised for the occasional backward step. Just take it all very slowly making sure each step is acceptable to him before moving on. You'll get there. What a great job you have done in getting home. Good luck!

Just another thought it might be a good idea to have him checked over by an avian vet just to make sure he's in good shape.

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