Need advice on getting a new bird

[KDK241]

Right now I have my cockatiels and my keets but I have been looking at gettng a small/medium sized parrot as well. My tiels pretty much like to hang around with each other and I would like a bird that would like to interact more with us. I have looked at a pionus who I fell in love with but then the lady changed her mind and decided to keep him. I also looked into a sun conure but he was sold already. I finally posted an ad on craigslist saying I was looking for a small/medium sized parrot such as a conure, pionus, amazon, etc. I had a few responses but they were asking more than I could afford right now (and some more than the bird is worth). Someone did say they had a YHA that is 4 years old, friendly, and she says he doesn't scream. It was her daughter's bird and she had to move suddenly for work and couldn't take him with. She has an amazon of her own and just doesn't want another one.
The problem is, they live about 5 hours away from me so going to see the bird first is really not much of an option. She had an ad on craigslist for the bird for a couple of weeks before this and basically said the same thing in the ad as she told me. She is asking a little more than I have right now but she said that she would be willing to take payments on him (1/2 now and 1/2 in a couple weeks). That is great, but I'm a little concerned about sending money for a bird that I haven't seen in person.
If he were a baby, it would be different but for all I know, he could be Cujo in a cute body and scream all day long...or be bald. She did email me pictures and he looks great but I know that looks can be deceiving. I did email her and asked if she would just be willing to hold him for another 2 weeks until I have the rest of the money and then I can go see him and make a decision but I am waiting to hear back from her. I just wanted to see what everyone else's opinion was so any advice is appreciated!

[alarmingparrots]

Sounds like a good bird to me...
As always, use your own judgement.

[Lori~D]

DONT pay anything on a bird you havent seen unless it is a baby from a reputable breeder who has done plenty of buisness and is well known. DONT buy a second hand bird sight unseen unless you are ready for anything. There are too many scammers out there who sound REAL good and too many people who will say just about anything to get a bird with issues OUT of the home. DYH Amazons are one of the "HOT THREE" of the Zons who need someone who is prepared for just about anything (ie:Screaming, biting, hormonal aggression, ect, ect). This is all from expirience here.

[ear]

Be very careful!

Tiko (my RLA) is usually a wondeful baby. Recently we have been experiencing some inappropriate behavior, after some life changes. She is adjusting as is the rest of the family. Just because this bird is not a screamer now, doesnt mean it wont be later.

and, if you only barely have enough money to get the bird itself, how are you going to pay for vet care and the needs of the bird. That in itself equaled the price of my bird when we got her.

Good luck to you, hope you find what you are looking for!

~Lisa

[Rachael]

Have you thought about a quaker? They are inexpensive and if they are legal in your area, they are a cool little bird. They talk, play like a conure, and bond to people. Just get a baby and make sure to be consistent with socialization.
Also, I've heard great things about green cheeked conures who are little in body but big in personality.
good luck,
Rachael

[KDK241]

Thanks everyone. That is pretty much how I felt about it. I sent her an email telling her that I was uncomfortable putting a deposit on an adult bird that I haven't seen or interacted with and she sent me an email back that was a bit angry but she tried to sugar coat it. She said that putting the deposit down would mean I am serious and she just didn't want to hold the bird if I wasn't going to get it. That is fine with me and I do understand what she is saying. The thing that really turned me off though is that I had said I would like to set up a time to see him and she said since it's so far that won't really work. My thought was if I'm willing to drive the 5 hours why does it matter to her? So it looks like the search continues....I'm just going to be patient and I know the right bird will come along eventually.

[Ashling]

You wouldn't want her parrot anyway :p lol Too bad- but your new baby's out there somewhere.
Having fallen in love with lorikeets, and having cockatiels my self, I'd have to reccommend a lorri! My lorikeet is gentle with the cockatiels (and budgie) and the tiels run away from her (poor Ash) She's learnt the cockatiel calls too! hehehe