What pet birds can you buy in the Hilo area? (Kailua: new home, to buy)

[Fredesch]

What kinds of pet birds can you buy in the Hilo area? My wife likes birds in the house as all as outside. She even has a shirt that says My friends s**t on me.

[hotzcatz]

There's a fellow up off of Komohana Drive who sells small cage birds like canaries, parakeets and lovebirds. He's mostly a fish store, but there are a few small birds, too. I think he has some finches and a small parrot or two, as well. His business name is "Aqua & Aviary Hobbiest" and his shop is behind his house. Start at the Hilo Library, go up the hill to Komohana Street and turn left (it's the only way you can turn) follow the road to the four way stop sign. Go through the intersection and then at the next right, I think it is Ui'lani street, but I could be wrong, turn onto that street. About half way down on the left side will be a house with the silhouette of a chicken on their mailbox and they used to have pink flamingos in the flower beds up by the house. Behind the house will be a carport where you can park and I think he has a sign that says "entrance" there, too, but you can't see if from the street.

I think his name is George, it's been awhile since I've been there, but he's a great guy if you can get him to tell you stories. He's been retired for decades and the pet shop is his hobby. I hope he's still there.

Other than that, you're pretty much limited to Stacey's Pets and Craig's List or the pet shop in Kailua.

[Jungjohann]

I would think that if you were to hang a bird feeder near your house, you'd sooner or later end up being visited by the descendants of someones ex-pet bird. Mynas, fiji sparrows, japanese finch, cardinals, cannibals,, (caution, don't put raw meat in the bird feeder). Buddy of mine, up by Suda store here on Maui, nice bird feeder set up in his yard, but was soon taken over by the fiji sparrow gang. Kind of like bikers with feathers, just made a lot of noise and acted tough, but rarely traveled alone.

Aloha and okoledakine

[terracore]

There's a guy who sells small cage birds at the Hilo farmers market from time to time. Last time he had hand fed parakeets.

[Fredesch]

Thanks for the info, it really helps. My wife asked the state guys whether she could bring her conure and parrotlet and they said - no way. So she has been scheming how to get them through a full body scanner. Not the best idea, for sure, but she loves birds. It is great to hear that she can get her birdie fix locally.

Now the hard part is getting her to accept someone as a good enough birder to get her precious birdies...

Thanks again for the info.

[Jungjohann]

If you want some conures come on over to Maui and catch a few. I'm sure the papaya growers would thank you. Some friggin moron let conures loose over here a few years back....PLEASE, don't try to sneak anything over here that is not allowed!! You know damned well some idiot on the mainland would just LOVE to bring over their collection of adorable pet pythons,,, "They're soooooo cute"

go figure

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Check on Craigslist. There are always a few birds needing new homes. I'm pretty sure I saw a red Macaw on there a short while back.

[Razzbar]

You don't have to buy any birds. They're free.

[Fredesch]

She has to have birdies around even if it is raining out...

[hotzcatz]

There are always chickens. The "silky" chickens don't look a thing like chickens so it's sort of like having birds instead of chickens. Plus they'd lay eggs for you, too, in return for all the bird feed you buy for them. How about some of those teeny bantam chickens? Those would make good pets, too.