My first birdshow

[parrotntn]

Went to my first birdfair/show today. In Memphis.
My observations:
WOW...beautiful birds all around. I actually got to have Hairy step on me! First time I've physically interacted with an Ekkie. He's even more beautiful than the pictures. Absolutely, I know this the right choice for me now. Very kewl burd indeed. He was Yogi, but my Hairy hasn't hatched yet.
And HE LOOKED LIKE A HAIRY!! haha
He was very well mannered. Just hopped on my hand. Couldn't pet head, but rub back.
The female, was like described. She was strutting around on the HIGHEST cage in the building, like a sentry. What an absolutley beautiful animal. Breathtaking really. With all of the screaming caws there, she was shook , I'm sure. But ewwwww man, was she ever . Looked like every mad person I've ever known all boilded up in one lil red halloween costume. More than one passerby, she'd look down and just fuss at. But, it was exceptionally loud and she was on duty.
Mcaws EVERYWHERE> I mean like Macawmart. Beautiful they are. And quite friendly and cuddly with folks. But one bad boy wanted to SCREAMMM and twist his head all around in the corner. The vendor said that he'd quiten down "real goood" if somebody took him home. It sounded like a zoo with him screaming like that. He was, like the female ekkie, really upset.
But, without a doubt, possibly the cutest thing, next to our kids babybutts, I've ever seen is the 7 week old greenwing macaw. He's BIG.Feathers starting to come in. he'd lean back in his lil incubator/warmer, whatever it was, and sit on his stubby butt. haha. BIG beak. yikes, BIG, he was top heavy from beak.
I dunno, I don't own one, but to me it seems a macaw would be for the more "advanced" owner. Besides being BIG, they were just sort of "in your face". But not aggressive, just ...well..busy?? alll of them. I bet I saw 10 or 20. But that screamer...what a life of doomed hell to get him home and that happen. It was relenteless and the other vendors were complaining.
Tons of cages/supplies..all ran together. I mainly went to get cards/network and find a male ekkie to hold and check out. I was very pleased with what I saw in that one male. Boy that female was stunning though.
Overall, I guess it was ok. Sadly, I saw people that appeared to me, to just be trying to make $$. Animals with frayed feathers. EVERYBODY, like at a county fair, gawking the healthy snacks they had prepared and bagged. Some had oils on them. Some had this, some had that. It was a major business.
When we were leaving, I saw a couple with a big macaw pulling out in front of us. They were in a nice sportscar. They had appeared earlier that this was their first bird. Happy couple leaving with her driving, and the macaw hopping from the man's head to the back of the car. The new boxed cage was shoved into the backseat. Hubby was trying to get the beautiful creature to "sit" I guess.
I hope they did well. But, I suspect it'll read like this:
"1 year old blue macaw for sale. hand fed and tamed. Good talker. To a good home that can offer more time than we can give him. Cage free".

Mark
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[Kevin]

Did you happen meet cari hilton?

[jimpierce7]

I 'm going to my first bird show next Sunday!!

[Missi]

Wow sounds crazy! I go to my first show in late March! Yay! I know I'll get a bit pissed and mouthy about the poor conditions of birds and how they're being handled and such, though...from what I hear, anyhow.

[parrotntn]

Well, no Keev, didn't meet her. I should have sought her out though. I did meet some good folk. Just didn't care for some of the conditions the birds were in. seemed more for $$.
And to be honest, there were some people there selling birds that could have done with some personal preening themselves, if you know what I mean.
Yea, MIssi, hold on. It's a bird lovers buffett. BUNCHs of toys!
Made me really want to get Hairy here. But, it's also allowing me time to make some choices that might effect how well his life here is. Like deciding to have an open top cage or a play area on top.
Mark
Oh, I did change clothes after I got home. :)

[Missi]

In my own personal opinion, I would never buy a bird from a bird fair. I would go to a private breeder first. Just because I have heard bad stuff about breeders that take their birds to them. I worry about disease too!

[raddaughter]

The bird show I went to was slightly similar. There were 3 ekkie breeders, 2 macaw, and I can't remember how many others there were. Harley's breeder's booth was at the front. Surprisingly, she was very calm, quieter than her brother, and let everyone pet her. No screaming, except by a rescue macaw who was a very jellous bird! He was sweet, but very in your face.
The ekkies- they were absolutly adorable! There were more boys than girls, and they would coo and let you pet/hold them. There was a lady there who was buying a male ekkie. He was the sweetest little boy! I spent forever just watching all the birds- basicly critiquing them as how they react to people. I also listened to the breeders.
Over all, I can't wait till the next one! It is only about 2 weeks away...

[raddaughter]

The birds at the last show were in pretty nice conditions- better than I expected. They all had good cages and the breeders were all very protective over them. I worried about disease too, but many of the breeders have either a vet check or health guarentee. Over all, it was better. I have heard some pretty scarry stories though 8)

[Missi]

Originally Posted by {raddaughter}

The birds at the last show were in pretty nice conditions- better than I expected. They all had good cages and the breeders were all very protective over them. I worried about disease too, but many of the breeders have either a vet check or health guarentee. Over all, it was better. I have heard some pretty scarry stories though 8)

Ahh! That is lovely to hear!

[Samm]

I went to the bird show today, we have one about every 3 months here. The crowd wasn't as big as usual, but all the vendors were there and all the birds looked real good. I've purchased several birds from this show, (not today, but the ones before this) and never had any health problems; including unweaned babies. I really don't approve of selling unweaned babies, but this is where I get mine. Mosstly I go to the show to buy bulk food, there are real good prices on 40-50 pound bags of pellets, and I got a 5 pound box of millet for 12 bucks!