[Eliza]

Isn't selling unweaned parrots illegal in CA? I don't know if this applies to individuals.

California Bird Law - 2004

New California parrot Law enacted September 1, 2004, prohibits selling Unweaned parrots at fairs or swap meets, and any parrot sold under the age of 1 year must have their weight documented on the receipt.

This new law (HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 122320-122324) also dictates that any pet shop with unweaned parrots must have trained personnel on site. No unweaned bird may be sold at any time. The law was enacted September 1, 2004.

The exact wording of the law is:

122321. (a) A pet shop with five or fewer employees may not possess an unweaned bird unless the pet shop employs at least one person per pet shop location who has completed the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council's avian certification program.

(b) A pet shop with six or more employees may not possess an unweaned bird unless the pet shop employs at least two people who have completed the Pet Industry Joint advisory Council's avian certification program.

(c) A pet shop may not sell a bird unless the bird is weaned.

(d) A vendor may not sell a bird at a swap meet or bird mart, unless the bird is weaned.

(e) At the time of sale, a pet shop location or vendor shall document the weight of any hand-fed bird under one year of age, and note the weight on the sales receipt.

Violators can be subject to a fine up to $1,000.00, although the law does not authorize seizure of the unweaned birds.

This law was enacted to protect unweaned birds from the possibility of being harmed by untrained owners.

Don't have any advice, Micah... If you are genuinely interested in learning how to handfeed, I would try to locate a reputable breeder or parrot shop that might be willing to teach you.