The Whittakers’ priority is to match the birds—which they treat like family—with a loving owner.

For instance, one of the liveliest birds available for sale is a green-winged, 4-year-old macaw named Lucy that the store has had on consignment since November after her owner passed away, Jamie said.

However, the store did not display Lucy to the public until January to help ensure a perfect match.

“Previously owned birds especially we really don’t push out the door—even at Christmastime,” she said. “We want to get to know them well and make sure we put them in a good home. And we want to give the bird time to adjust.”

[caption id="attachment_239877" align="alignright" width="220"] Longtime customer David De Los Santos of Houston inspects the array of ABC Birds toys available for his African grey parrot.[/caption]

The store also tries to ensure quality care after birds are purchased by providing continuing discounts on food and toys as well as free avian behavioral counseling and wing clipping.

Jamie is a certified parrot behavior consultant and published writer who educates customers on bird care and nutrition.

“Our commitment is to the bird. And we give those discounts for the life of the bird—even if it switches to a different owner,” she said.

Jamie said her fascination with birds stems from their intelligence.

“We had a blue-throated macaw named Patches,” she said. “And when we’d close the store—three days out of the year—Patches would figure out how to get out of the cage and would let all of the other macaws out.”

---

Choosing A Feathered Friend

Picking the correct bird for a customer’s lifestyle is important for a new owner, ABC Birds owner Jamie Whittaker said.

1. Do not select the first bird seen; take time to make the right decision.
2. Discuss expectations with family and bird experts.
3. Do not expect parrots to repeat everything that is said. Some birds talk less around humans.