Price for a plucked macaw?

[FoxersArtist]

We work with birds of all species and sizes in a "rescue" environment so naturally we see a lot of plucked birds. When adopting to a new family, I do not consider a plucked bird broken by any means and do not lower their adoption fee because they are "ugly" or because there is something wrong with the bird. We find fabulous families who feel the same way about their new child. Most of our macaws by themselves WITHOUT cage are up to $550 if they are in good health and still have a lot of years left in them, including our younger plucked guys. This fee naturally includes vet care as each of our birds are vetted so my clients do not have to have their new bird vetted right away, which would rack up more costs for them. Our fees can go as high as $750 for large macaws with a nice, extra roomy cage, and still we feel this is a steal for the price of a macaw with everything needed to start their new life, considering the lowest price for most baby birds with no cage is $750-$900 and some people are tanacious enough to sell macaws for $1,500-$2,000 which I worry will only attract those people who may not know any better and who are more likely to be niave about bringing a big feathered monster into their home. We do have lower adoption fees for birds with chronic problems and older birds. I do not consider a 20 year old macaw to be older. 30 years is where I usually draw that line, but for the most part, parrots do not depreciate much in our market and I feel this is a well deserved concept for our feathered friends.

You will have to consider your costs when thinking about adopting this macaw. You will likely need to have the bird vetted which will cost you around $200 if you are lucky. This should be non negotiable. If the bird is ill and that is the reason for the plucking (unlikely, but possible especially with heavy metal toxicity), it could cost you a lot more. A cage large enough for a macaw can be found new from anywhere between $450-$1,500 depending on what you buy and where you order from. Most of the birds I have seen on craigslist come with old, dangerous, or small cages that should not be used. Sometimes you can luck out and get an expensive used one for between $200-$600 on craigslist. The macaw sized cages that go with our birds could be sold individually for between $300-$600 used online.

If you have to get a new cage and you take your new bird to the vet, your eventual cost will likely be closer to a minimum of $900 and those are the numbers I would commit before making a decision.

Good luck! sometimes the naked ones are also the most loving.
-Anna

[Congobongo]

I guess the thing is not only are you taking on the responsibility of a Blue and Gold but one with issues. Sounds like the bird does need a good home. He may be plucking because he doesn't get out enough or the cage is too small. Who knows. But you need to be prepared to deal with his issues.

However, having said that I would be more concerned with the birds personality and disposition. If it is friendly and handleable. If you go there you will also see the type of home he's been in as well as the type of people who have had him. That will also tell you a lot. Let the current owner talk alot. Ask alot of questions and listen for any 'red flags'.

If you are not experienced in rehabbing a bird that needs it, it could be dangerous for you as well as the bird.

And, my Blue and Gold was given to me for free. All they wanted was a good, loving home (which she has). I did give an adoption fee just to let them know I was sincere.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Congobongo]

I think I would also ask if the bird has ever been to an Avian Vet. And ask for a vet record.

[murphyzoo]

I'm sorry to say that I decided against seeing this macaw. I did a lot of thinking about all of the costs and loudness and who knows what else I would have to deal with. My biggest fear was that I would go and see the bird and not be able to leave him there, even if the bird hated me! That's the kind of person I am, the motherly, want to take care of everything type. The people sounded like they truly loved the bird, told me everything it liked/disliked, how it acted, who it liked, what it did everyday, so with that I feel as if it is a truly loved pet. The sad part about it is the fact that they were rehoming it simply because they didn't have the room and couldn't afford it anymore and who knows who will end up with the bird for a couple hundred bucks. I hate that animals have a monetary value.

[KGWatkins]

It's a good thing you decided to think it through better. I'm sure that the bird will find a home and you won't be stuck with a bird that potentially doesn't like you, who knows, maybe it WOULDN'T have worked.

[saintsellr]

This is the normal price for 20 yr old birds.Most are current/former breeders,so the price reflects pet quality.I have a BNG..they are wonderful.If it comes with a cage ,go for it.Maybe our market is way underpriced in st louis,but I see tons of macaws and toos listed at this price.Your vet bills may not be too bad..just quarentine,and opt for the skin scrape and grams stains.If that checks out,do the blood tests that you can send in yourself through a variety of online 'stores':i.e.avian biotec.

[Maxlovesboating]

Originally Posted by murphyzoo

There was no picture and they couldn't post one. Basically the lady said that they had had the bird for 7 years and it was a family pet that liked women better than men. She said that because of the economy the family had to move into a single wide trailer. Can you imagine! The bird sounded like a happy, talkative bird. It came with a "large" cage, which who knows what that means. She did tell me that they would take $300 but that was as low as she could go. Sounded more like a need money situation than anything. I might go and check the bird out, as it's only about 45 min away. I'm affraid that if I see it, I'll feel so bad, even if it's not friendly to me, and take it anyway. I don't know......

Go check Him/Her out... might be more than you want to take on... might not be??? You will be wondering and wondering if you dont. We got a call about Merlin our Harliquin... the lady said she had him since he was a baby and he loved women and that he was 2 yrs old... YEA RIGHT... SHE just talked him up to the hilt... When we got there we did not expect to see a caged wild animal that was not let out in ??? HOW LONG???? Who know's? But he was pada-locked in to never be let out, no toys, not even perches, ate all the brackets that held his food bowls... BAD BAD ...

He and I are 'SOLE MATES NOW".. and it was not LOVE AT FIRST SITE either trust me... he was like a wild animal, but I am in love... guess he is too... 1 1/2 yrs later.

You really wont know until you go and see, I am a re-home advicate if possible. Got to add the link to this video... hope no one minds.

Protectors of the Parrots - World Parrot Trust | WORLD PARROT TRUST USA INC | Causes

[Maxlovesboating]

Originally Posted by FoxersArtist

We work with birds of all species and sizes in a "rescue" environment so naturally we see a lot of plucked birds. When adopting to a new family, I do not consider a plucked bird broken by any means and do not lower their adoption fee because they are "ugly" or because there is something wrong with the bird. We find fabulous families who feel the same way about their new child. Most of our macaws by themselves WITHOUT cage are up to $550 if they are in good health and still have a lot of years left in them, including our younger plucked guys. This fee naturally includes vet care as each of our birds are vetted so my clients do not have to have their new bird vetted right away, which would rack up more costs for them. Our fees can go as high as $750 for large macaws with a nice, extra roomy cage, and still we feel this is a steal for the price of a macaw with everything needed to start their new life, considering the lowest price for most baby birds with no cage is $750-$900 and some people are tanacious enough to sell macaws for $1,500-$2,000 which I worry will only attract those people who may not know any better and who are more likely to be niave about bringing a big feathered monster into their home. We do have lower adoption fees for birds with chronic problems and older birds. I do not consider a 20 year old macaw to be older. 30 years is where I usually draw that line, but for the most part, parrots do not depreciate much in our market and I feel this is a well deserved concept for our feathered friends.

You will have to consider your costs when thinking about adopting this macaw. You will likely need to have the bird vetted which will cost you around $200 if you are lucky. This should be non negotiable. If the bird is ill and that is the reason for the plucking (unlikely, but possible especially with heavy metal toxicity), it could cost you a lot more. A cage large enough for a macaw can be found new from anywhere between $450-$1,500 depending on what you buy and where you order from. Most of the birds I have seen on craigslist come with old, dangerous, or small cages that should not be used. Sometimes you can luck out and get an expensive used one for between $200-$600 on craigslist. The macaw sized cages that go with our birds could be sold individually for between $300-$600 used online.

If you have to get a new cage and you take your new bird to the vet, your eventual cost will likely be closer to a minimum of $900 and those are the numbers I would commit before making a decision.

Good luck! sometimes the naked ones are also the most loving.
-Anna

Anna has summed up the costs from the low to the high... and they are very very true... depending on where you live and what is causing the plucking... you might get a good idea of what the cause is when you go see the bird, but it will still need a avain vet check. I agree with Anna as to the cage the bird comes with ... in most cases it will be junk, it will either be way to old or way way way to smalll. sorry for my extremes... but thats the hard truth.. and reality.

Plucked or Unplucked they are all beautiful and special

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[Astrid660]

Originally Posted by murphyzoo

I'm sorry to say that I decided against seeing this macaw. I did a lot of thinking about all of the costs and loudness and who knows what else I would have to deal with. My biggest fear was that I would go and see the bird and not be able to leave him there, even if the bird hated me! That's the kind of person I am, the motherly, want to take care of everything type. The people sounded like they truly loved the bird, told me everything it liked/disliked, how it acted, who it liked, what it did everyday, so with that I feel as if it is a truly loved pet. The sad part about it is the fact that they were rehoming it simply because they didn't have the room and couldn't afford it anymore and who knows who will end up with the bird for a couple hundred bucks. I hate that animals have a monetary value.

I hate that about pets too.. and then the more expensive they are, it seems the more people expect from them.
It's okay that you decided against the macaw. Only you know the situation best, and what the right thing to do is.