It actually sounds like you "might" have already made up your mind LOL! Good work with thinking it through first and waiting instead of doing an impulse buy like so many people seem to do. I would say over 50% of the birds in our rescue have been impulse buys that either just didn't fit in or they weren't what they seemed or "circumstances changed".

If possible even though it will definitely cost more I like to do a full checkup on all new birds. This means a wellness exam (which is basically looking over your bird, possibly weighing and talking to you about diet, caging etc), complete blood workup, fecal gram stain and swabs to check for bacterial and fungal infections. Depending on your vet and if anything is found this could cost anywhere from $150 to $300. Even a healthy bird that has had regular vet visits in the past should get this testing done yearly if at all possible and at the least every other year. We do fecal testing monthly ourselves with all the new birds coming in even though they are quarantined and we also do basic wellness checks. Then they are taken in for blood workup etc annually.

Its no problem to answer questions, that's what we are here for! I would much rather someone be patient and ask tons of questions then to run out and buy a bird with no knowledge and regret it later. So keep the questions coming and let us know how it works out or what you decide.

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