NJ/PA area shops & breeders: experiences and reviews?

I'm still in research mode, no baby yet.

I live in northern Nj, and I'm now looking into places who have the SI Eclectus that I'm looking for. Obviously as a first time big bird owner I want to find a place where I can visit my baby to bond before I bring him home. I want to make this the best, hopefully stress free and non traumatic experience as possible- for both of us! :54:

So, my questions are: Who's good? Who's bad? Who do I steer clear from? What good and bad experiences has everyone had? Who should I consider looking into? Who's reputable? At this time I know of very few places, because like i said I really really want to learn as much as I can about the breed before I purchase.

I only know of-
Birds by Joe in Middlesex Nj
Bird Paradise in Burlington Nj
Todd Marcus Birds Exotic in Cinnaminson Nj
Birds Mania in Emmaus Pa
The Bird Store in Brodheadsville Pa

What worries me the most is they seem like Pet Shops, as I've never purchased a larger bird before I don't know how these places may differentiate from a pet shop that a puppy could come from- knowing most come from puppy mills (and being a stooge and purchasing a puppy from a pet shop I have learned over and over from the numerous vet visits of my sick little beast why I should not have ever set foot inside that dump )

What are your personal experiences? With the places I know of and others? The good the bad and the ugly?

Bird Paradise- Best range of supplies and birds, does groomings as well, Pricey, believe in clipped wings, anti peanuts and anti sunflower seeds, they have the most experience, and probably intelligence

Todd Marcus- A little pricey, not a huge selections of birds, they dont take care of the older birds and let them do what ever because they believe that 'at 25 years old greys and amazons are very old and so they can eat and do what ever they want'- which is why theyre allowed to et grit, have over grown beaks, disgustingly long nails, and very obvious weight problems. The staff is nice and not as busy as bird paradise- but I think they are just naive.

There is the Green Parrot Shop in Tullytown, Pa (20 mins form Bird Paradise)- small shop, but great prices on groomings and food. Toys and other supplies are decent prices, but theres not too much to got through, it's a corner shop, but anything you want but dont see the owner will order for you and its always cheap, she no longer sells birds since she relocated to a smaller space, she is anti free flight, no employees besds groomers who is only there Sundays by Appt., so its a very one on one and informative experience- she sells the birds car decals too

So far I've visited every place I know of besides Birds by Joe because he doesn't have any eclectus.

Bird Paradise had a pair, which were sold already but not ready to go home. They hated me, customers even said they were very mean birds. The associates watched me, I think they knew I have no prior experience with birds. No one helped me or talked to me, just watched me struggle trying to socialize with the birds. We spent an hour there and the only thing anyone said to me was "are your hands sanitized?"

We went down to Todd Marcus Birds Exotic. They were more apt to talk to be and showed me how to properly pick up the one girl they had. Gave me a few pointers, like the fact that the bird will think my hand is a toy if I always have such bright blue fingernail polish

The ladies at Bird Mania were very very nice. They gave me more information about the requirements that the eclectus needs. Cage size and other useful information about the interaction with my current pets and how to bring a bird home and make it feel safe when you have two dogs and two cats The eclectus they has was a rehome, very beautiful but missing all of the feathers around her neck Because of her current situation I was not able to handle her.

The on to Bird Store where so far I have had the best luck of all. Everyone was very welcoming and as soon as I found the eclectus the little female actually jumped off her perch directly onto my chest!! <3 she was such a lover! She did not want to be put down. It's also the first time I have been able to hear the eclectus vocalize. They were quiet as mice in all of the other stores, but they were squawking away with the rest of the birds. The woman who I assume runs the place was very informative. Told me where her birds come from, what to expect with the babies, do and donts, and just general info that you don't find in the books you read.

I believe I'm just rambling now, but those were my personal observations. It would be nice to know if anyone has personally made purchases or had issues with these companies to see how issues were resolved and how situations were handled. I don't have much of a gut feeling since I'm so new to this and have no knowledge in purchasing a bird. The whole situation makes me very nervous. I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing from start to finish. *sigh*

Bird mania rocks. Linda has lots of experience and the get a wide variety of babies. I got Neytiri there and they were very helpful with me (and still are) as a first time owner. They genuinely care about the birds in their care and that they are going to a good home. I feel their prices are reasonable and have no problem getting all my toys there to support local businesses. I have tons of questions all the time and call them frequently. I even take Neytiri for visits with "aunt" Linda and "aunt" Debbie.

If I were to get another bird it will definitely be from bird mania.

They are also on Facebook and you can ask questions through that too.

I got my Cape parrot from "Joe & Mary's Parrot Place" in Middlesex, NJ (which I think changed it's name to "Birds by Joe").

He is a big man who is very loud (he talk's loud) and I was wondering if being so loud aggravates the birds, but they didn't seem to mind. I guess they were used to it.

Anyways, he didn't rip me off so I will give him a good rating for that. The condition of the facility was fair. Kind of small. Not too dirty, but definitely not clean. The bird's cages were reasonable-sized. There is a couch in the back room where you can sit with your bird, but it's not the Ritz.

He himself is a parrot owner and he loves birds. He wanted my bird to have a good cage so he gave me a really good deal on a cage (like half the price it normally sells).

I don't know if he breeds them or just sells them, but Beaker stepped up automatically when you put your finger in front of him (after he got used to me, that is). No need to train him to step up, which is nice.
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