New here

[victoria]

Hi, I am new here, just joined! I am excited to be a part of a group that is all about parrots! I am 29 and dont currently own any birds, but am prospectively adopting a blue and gold macaw within the next few days. That is actually why I joined these forms to find out how to tell if the bird is healthy. I am adopting it from a person and not a rescue or pet store, so I want to know she is in good health before I take her home. I bet there is a specific place I should post that question. Anyway I am Victoria from NC but my stage name is Hope Gold. I am an actress in an acting company that is local to the area. I am playing Dolly Parton in our next show which starts the end of this month.

I hope to make lots of new friends and get lots of great info here!

 

[Flboy]

Hello Dolly/ Victoria! So welcome ! NC? North Carolina?

 

[Terry57]

Hello Victoria and welcome! Wow, Dolly Parton? I so love her music! Will you be singing as well?
How exciting about the Blue & Gold! How old is he/she?
I'm so happy you joined us!

 

[victoria]

NC? North Carolina?

Yes I am from North Carolina!

 

[victoria]

Hello Victoria and welcome! Wow, Dolly Parton? I so love her music! Will you be singing as well?
How exciting about the Blue & Gold! How old is he/she?
I'm so happy you joined us!

I will be singing...but badly. MY character thinks she is Dolly Parton but is not, and is in fact a horrible singer.

The blue and gold is a girl, she is named Ellie, and she is one year old.

 

[Terry57]

Your play sounds fantastic, I think I would love it!
Ellie is a great name Have you met her yet?

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum, Victoria! You sound like a very creative person!!

Determining the health of Ellie may not be easy. A skilled eye can observe physical features such as feathering, cleanliness of the vent, nostrils, and clarity of eyes, as well as appearance of droppings. If agreeable, a knowledgeable touch to the breastbone and surrounding area can roughly judge weight. You can infer something from the type and quality of food and cleanliness of the water bowl. However, birds are conditioned to hide outward signs of illness until something has seriously progressed. Many owners will provide a veterinary "certificate of health" and very short return policy. Your best bet is to take Ellie to an avian specialty vet for a well-check that can include some blood and fecal testing. Should anything of concern arise, you would generally be at the ethical mercy of a private party seller. Since Ellie would be your only bird, a 30-day minimum period of quarantine wouldn't be necessary!!

Good luck, and let us know how this develops!!