Buying a bird online

Hi, I just want to know if anyone has found WA Exotic aviary farm located in Maryland to be reputable breeders? I'm looking to buy a bird from their website but they will be shipping it and I am unsure if they are a scam website.

My gut says hold off! I am still checking!
They say they sell eggs! A big red flag!

I have now been chatting/text with them—A. broken English, B. Won’t let me do a pickup at a local store to that area!
Scam!

FYI, they just said they will ship a baby macaw to me, in Canada, via Fedx!

Eggs?? Shipping a baby?? Across international border?? Ding, ding ding - SCAM !!

They set these Scam websites all the time. AVOID!!

Is anyone familiar with the Facebook site “Birds and Parrots for Sale and Adoption Near Me”? https://m.facebook.com/Birds-And-Parrots-For-Sale-And-Adoption-Near-Me-103559771266411/

Sounds like a real place but they don’t have a website and I had asked for a video of the bird that I was interested in and they haven’t showed it to me. I just wanted to see the bird’s personality and how it interacts with people. Is that too much to ask?

On the other hand, Luminary Parrots seems like a legit company to deal with when it comes to purchasing birds because their answers are very direct. Their birds are a little bit more costly but you get what you pay for I suppose.

Wouldn't advise that you ship a bird.. wouldn't advise that you buy a bird without meeting it first (as a rule--you need to see the bird and the facility--some places are super sketchy and more like farms of neglect and disease----side note: many reputable breeders won't let you enter the breeding facility if a bird is still VERY young for safety and disease concerns...this makes sense..BUT you should make sure the bird you buy is fully-weaned, and there is no reason you shouldn't be allowed to meet a weaned bird).

I am not saying it can never work out, but I would also suggest strongly that you adopt (rather than shop) as birds lived for AGES anyway and there are so many in need of new homes. Truth be told, you won't bond BETTER with a baby in the long run (it may seem that way until they hit puberty, but all birds hit puberty and all of that "bonding" will be tested by an adult bird who is programmed to push away from it's "parent"). With a bird that has already reached sexual maturity, you have a much better idea of their personality and what you will be getting (granted, your responses to behavior etc will also impact behavior).

Shipping a bird is traumatic and can be quite dangerous for a bird. Imagine their intelligence and hatred of change, and then imagine all of the noises, darkness, potential exposure to other sick birds, jostling around, temperature changes etc...only to be "unboxed" in completely unfamiliar surroundings.

Welcome to the forums, thanks for checking before losing your money!

There are reputable breeders who will ship birds, however it is important to consider potential hazards and the uncertainty of buying unseen.

Thanks for the tips noodles and Scott! I have looked online at various bird rescues and sanctuaries for a red lored Amazon parrot to adopt but have yet to see one available for adoption. So I am just browsing around online and found the Facebook site about Birds and Parrots For Sale Near Me and Luminary Parrots.

Is this your first bird as an adult?

Where is home?

Adopt DONT Shop! There are thousands of birds living in shelters of every species you could imagine, please consider a shelter first. Birds live a very long Time and likely will outlive you. So if you don’t have a plan before you pass your bird could go through hell later in life. If you adopt an older bird they will love you just the same and you will change their life!

noodles123 said:

Is this your first bird as an adult?

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Are you asking me or the OP?

I previously had a red lored Amazon but she succumbed to avian mycoplasma; I had her body necropsied by a boarded pathologist and the avian vet suspected she was smuggled into the US. I adopted her from a lady who couldn’t keep her because the bird kept biting her and attacking her. I have also worked with birds for over 5 years so I am not unfamiliar with birds, their behavior, general husbandry, and needs.

Flboy said:

Where is home?

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Where is whose home? 🤣

BigGreenBirb said:

Adopt DONT Shop! There are thousands of birds living in shelters of every species you could imagine, please consider a shelter first. Birds live a very long Time and likely will outlive you. So if you don’t have a plan before you pass your bird could go through hell later in life. If you adopt an older bird they will love you just the same and you will change their life!

Click to expand...

I agree but I can’t seem to find another red lored Amazon in a bird rescue/sanctuary in my state or nearby states. Sounds like an excuse but it isn’t so I’d rather take the easy way out and just buy a bird. If you know of anyone with a red lored Amazon that needs a forever home, please let me know. I have over 5 years of exotics/avian experience in a professional setting and I know plenty of board certified avian vets since I am in the field. Thanks! In the mean time I’ll just keep searching.