please help me decide

About 5 months ago we lost our cocktail Bam and ever since then I have wanted a more hands on bird. I've researched online and found that a green cheek conure would suit me best. I've spent hours reading information about them and know what to expect.

I was online and checked out petsmart and noticed they sold them for 350 so I went in the next day and seen they had one in but was priced at 499. I spoke with the manager about the price difference and he said I could buy it for 399 that it was 6 months old and had been there for about 2 months. I hung out with the bird for a little bit and noticed its feathers were fluffed and it was standing on just one leg for most of the time. Needless to say I went home to think about it.

Later that week I went on kijiji and saw an ad for a 3 year old green cheek for 350 with large cage included. Since I already have a cage I sent an email asking if she would take 200 for just the bird and she said she would. The reason she is selling him is because she is going to Australia for school in january and won't be able to take the bird with her. She has sent pictures and stated the bird was in good health and quite friendly.

I guess my question is 1. Can a 3 year old bird adapt to a new owner with patience and time? 2. what one would you pick and why? I'm torn between the 2 the petsmart one is younger but is more pricey and looked sick and I will definitely be observing the kijiji one before handing over any money or taking it home.

Thank you in advance! Any comments will be much appreciated.

My OWA was 11 years old when I got him. His original owner died and he ended up with a good friend of mine. He was a screamer and her cat would bother him so she asked me to take him. He will be 13 in April and he adores me. He loves to take showers with me and play tag and we dance around the kitchen. He will imitate whatever dance I'm doing. If I do the wave he will follow. If I jump up & down he will bounce his head. If I spin around so will he. If I could only get him to put his wing out I could finish teaching him the Hokey Pokey.

My Pionus is 5 years old and I just acquired him within the past month. I'd go with the rehome, not the pet store... Bleu was very shy and nervous when I brought him home and he's warming up quite nicely He wont step up without quite a bit of convincing... but he's getting better

I thought about getting a petsmart bird... but went to a breeder store instead. Take the bird that NEEDS a home. The petsmart bird has vet care and has a home (technically) already. The bird from kijiji is about to be homeless and you'd be helping a stressed student. Being a student myself... I can totally understand this pressure... I had to give up my baby ferrets before starting college... babies meaning i had them for 6 years.. they were MY babies. Also look into breeders... Where are you located? Anywhere near Virginia or Jersey? Also check out rescues!

Im located in ontario about an hour away from windsor. Should I ask for vet records before I head up since it is about an hour away? Our local petstore had a double sided pineapple? im not too sure but anyways she said that they don't need vaccines? Everywhere else I look said they do so I guess im unsure about that aswell.

Ask for vet records just to be sure the bird is healthy. I didn't ask for records for Bleu... but I just couldn't leave him in that condition...

I'd go with the rehome! I got Puck right before he turned 4 and we get along great! There was an adjustment period, but he is so worth it!