Bird show questions...

[FLmom]

Hi,

I really want to go to a bird show/fair/expo. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is the best one to attend? I noticed when I looked them up online there were many different types. some small some large and some that seemed to be more geared towards showing birds. anyone that can point me in the right direction? I live in Fl.

Thanks

 

[JLcribber]

Don't be surprised if it doesn't measure up to your expectations and you come away rather disappointed and more than likely sad at what you see. Just sayin'.

If you are going to attend one and you have birds at home, be very careful what you touch and buy. Change your clothes and take a shower before going anywhere near your own birds.

 

[itzmered]

There is one in the Chicago area every year that is really nice. A lot of vendors and it is well run. They only put it on in the spring each year TASC's MIDWEST BIRD EXPO - APRIL 16, 2011 KANE COUNTY

There is a small one in MN and WI every other month. Not one I would recommend any one drive a long distance too It is pretty small and not much in the way of toy vendors. The majority of the vendors are selling finches.

 

[FLmom]

Sees there were several posts here where people were very excited about certain bird shows. Not looking for a flea market bird sale type thing. I'm thinking more like nice toys and good info and lots of how to type stuff. Not a big "selling" birds type show

 

[Ladyredwingrider]

I live in Ga. and we go to the bird shows in Jacksonville or St. Augustine. Both are small but I go mainly to buy toys and food. I'v met some of the nicest people at the shows, I have never seen a sickly looking bird or a dirty cage at either places.

 

[Laurul Feather Cat]

Breeders and shop owners come to the show to sell their merchandise; birds and all the accoutrements. They are necessary to the show as they help pay for the rental of the venue with their booth fees, so I understand why they are necessary. Some of them will be professional breeders and some backyard breeder and you will see a lot of birds, usually. Really good birdshows have guest speakers to present information and answer questions at least twice during the day. There may also be some trained birds performing and they can be quite darling. It was a little trick trained Senegal that finally convinced me I wanted a sennie as a pet; the way he looked eagerly to his owner for her cues to do his tricks was so darling. You will find a lot of merchandise you normally only see in catalogs or high end bird stores and there will be specialist company reps present for air cleaners and the like. I always found this type of bird show much fun and a great way to get things I normally would have to order.

The negative side is that with so many birds and bird people in one area, it is easy to be exposed to diseases. Anything you buy you want to make sure is sealed in original packaging and you will need to disinfect everything you buy. Also, as mentioned above, you should change your clothing and shoes and take a shower before handling your birds after being at a bird show.

The ones given by bird clubs are, I think, the best ones. There are some that are arranged and run by companies that put on venues as a business and they are really quite a bit more mercenary than the organizations that put them on. Ask your friends in the area and see if they have a favorite. Bird shows here in the north stop around October because of the cold weather and resume in April or May. There is also the type of bird 'show' that is actually a seminar on bird husbandry and you may be more interested in this type of show. Here in PA there is a bird group in Pittsburgh that does monthly seminars on bird management. So if you see one advertised, get the information number off the flyer and call to see what they are going to have at the show and then you can pick and choose what you want to attend.

 

[Sunnyside]

Florida is a large State. What part? I love this one:

September 25th - Port Charlotte, FL - Companion Bird Club Bird Expo - Charlotte County Fairgrounds 2333 El Jobean/Rt 776 - Sunday 9 - 4 - Admission fee $5.00 Children under 10 free all students througoh high school are free all students througoh high school are free - Birds, exotics, bird-related products. Raffles on the hour, grand raffle at 3:00pm. Food available. No Pet Birds Allowed on Premises! - Contact Bill Stockslager 941-743-8364 E-mail or Carol Runyon 941-475-3440 E-mail - web site companionbirdclub.com

Carol Runyon is so knowledgeable and only allows the finest vendors in. Highly recommended by me and the Parrot Outreach Society (where my Farfey came from)

 

[Chantilly Lace]

Yea, what part? Here in south FL we have one coming up on Sept. 4th in Palm Beach, and another about a week later or so on the 18th. There are usually 5 or so breeders with a few babies, and 10 or so vendors with some toys. Not the greatest, but sometimes you can find some good stuff. More for smaller birds than bigger birds. I sanitize everything I buy, and feel pretty safe about it. I also change my shirt and wash my hands if I have touched any baby birds, and how can you not?! Lol. I held the sweetest golden conure last time. If you go to the palm beach one, let me know! I will meet you there and maybe Nikki too, she usually goes as well.

SEPTEMBER 4[SUP]TH[/SUP] - THE EXOTIC BIRD FAIR IN WEST PALM BEACH at the WEST PALM BEACH NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY. At 3193 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach. Please note that this show was rescheduled from August 7[SUP]th[/SUP] when we cancelled that show due to the weather.

SEPTEMBER 18[SUP]TH[/SUP] - THE PALM BEACH GARDENS EXOTIC BIRD MART & EXPO at the AMARA SHRINE TEMPLE, 3650 R.C.A. Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

SEPTEMBER 24[SUP]TH[/SUP] - THE EXOTIC BIRD FAIR IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA at the METROLINA EXPO, 7100 Statesville Road, Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

[chloe92us]

I'm new to birds, but I am interested in shows like you. I'm going to check out the one in Sarasota 9/11 and Port Charlotte 9/25. Here's a helpful link:

Florida Exotic Bird Events

 

[waterfaller1]

I go to this one in Orlando. It's pretty big, usually. The next event is a two day affair with judging/ribbons..etc.
Exotic Bird Events, Inc.