chocotiel
New member
Hi, I'm considering a 6 year old male Eclectus at a pet store. He has a beautiful green head, a band of gray fuzzy down around his neck, and the rest of his feathers are all nice, wings and tails. He looks a little scruffy on his chest, but it's just mixed colored feathers, not down.
The band of gray down is about 1" and goes all around his neck, which seems to be within reach of his beak.
The manager of the store says he's just molting, however another worker said, "well how would you feel if you were dropped off by your family?" which implies that he is plucking.
My question is: why would he only pluck a ring around his neck and not his legs, back, wings or tail.
And, do you think conditions at the store (screaming cockatoos) would stress him out so that eventually he'll pluck even more? And the longer we leave him in the store, the worse he'll get?
Or is he just molting? They said it's breeding season for him and he tries to mount people's shoulders. So could it be temporary?
Any ideas would help, because he is $1000 and my husband feels he is overpriced and wants to get a perfect bird. But my boy likes him and this bird is already socialized, tame, knows how to step up on command and says a few words. They say he's potty trained also.
Would you get this bird? There is a no return policy at the store, but they send you to a vet of their choice for free if you purchase the bird.
Thanks!
The band of gray down is about 1" and goes all around his neck, which seems to be within reach of his beak.
The manager of the store says he's just molting, however another worker said, "well how would you feel if you were dropped off by your family?" which implies that he is plucking.
My question is: why would he only pluck a ring around his neck and not his legs, back, wings or tail.
And, do you think conditions at the store (screaming cockatoos) would stress him out so that eventually he'll pluck even more? And the longer we leave him in the store, the worse he'll get?
Or is he just molting? They said it's breeding season for him and he tries to mount people's shoulders. So could it be temporary?
Any ideas would help, because he is $1000 and my husband feels he is overpriced and wants to get a perfect bird. But my boy likes him and this bird is already socialized, tame, knows how to step up on command and says a few words. They say he's potty trained also.
Would you get this bird? There is a no return policy at the store, but they send you to a vet of their choice for free if you purchase the bird.
Thanks!