| "African Grey for Sale", a common enough | | | | - Buy only from a reputable parrot breeder. A |
| advertisement but what lies behind it? Has the | | | | breeder who has been in business for sometime |
| parrot, or its parents, been caught illegally and | | | | with a track record for producing sound and |
| smuggled out of Africa? Or is it all above board | | | | healthy birds. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You |
| and the advertiser a genuine breeder. It is often | | | | want a parrot that comes from a recognised and |
| difficult to tell. The pet trade in exotic creatures | | | | reputable source.If you are buying from a pet |
| has its fair share of shysters, charlatans and | | | | shop ask for the breeders details. |
| downright hucksters masquerading as genuine | | | | - Have a good look at the bird. African grey |
| members of the pet trade concerned with | | | | babies should look plumpish and fluffy, not thin or |
| conservation and the environment. | | | | skinny. Their eyes should be watchful, black and |
| If you want to buy a baby african grey make | | | | round. There should be no discharge around the |
| sure you know enough to pick a bird that is | | | | nostrils and the beak should fit together well with |
| healthy and has good prospects of being the pet | | | | no deformities. No faeces should be crusted |
| you are looking for. Buying an african grey, like | | | | around the vent and droppings should be watery |
| buying any other reasonably large parrot, is an | | | | and loose. Feathers should be uniformly shaped |
| expensive proposition unless of course you are | | | | and look in good condition. |
| fortunate to be given a bird for free. And, as with | | | | - Before going home with you, your baby african |
| any other expensive purchase take your time to | | | | grey should be fully weaned but it is a good idea |
| make sure you are buying exactly what you | | | | to continue giving your baby porridge as this can |
| want in the condition that you want it. Mistakes | | | | be a very effective way of giving medicine. |
| can be costly to rectify. | | | | |