QuakerVille Favorite Bird Stores

Everyone has their favorite bird shops (sort of like Chinese restaurants). I'll give you the three I frequent in Northern Virginia. (John D. & Teddy Bird)

Wilson's Parrots - 5605G General Washington Dr. in Alexandria. (703) 642-3720. In an industrial park just inside the Beltway. Nice place and good prices. We purchased Teddy Bird there, because at the time, they had a flock of Quakers available. They usually have a big selection of "previously owned" birds.

American Bird Company - 7219 Lee Highway, Falls Church. (703) 536-2473. I think that they are the largest and cleanest of the stores - somehow connected to a breeder. Birds and supplies are more expensive, but certainly worth the price. Two or three years ago, they carried Quakers, but I haven't seen any recently. Someone on the list said they no longer carry them.

Birds & Things - on Columbia Pike in Arlington. I can't find the street number or phone number. Next to Ski Chalet, across from McDonalds. A smaller place (they downsized about a year ago) but very highly recommended by local bird enthusiasts. Very helpful staff.

In Maryland, there's Hauser's - 9078 Baltimore Avenue in College Park. (301) 474-7229. (The Bird Shop - not the restaurant!) Supposedly a very big place, but I've never been there - don't leave the Old Dominion.

Submitted by John & Susan Riggs

Rick's Fish and Pet Supply is a wonderful privately owned shop on Rte. 40 in Fredrick MD. Rick(major 60's hippie) is very particular about any creature entering or exiting his shop. He has a small quantity of birds he gets from excellent breeders and screens his buyers carefully. He will not sell them to someone he feels the bird is not suited for. He also requires that you come in and experience the bird while going through the handf eeding process. His employees are all very educated and informative.

Pet Paradise-Va. Beach Blvd. in Va. Beach. Specializes in exotic birds. These birds are all hand fed and nurtured. You can see it when you enter the store. The employees are carefully trained and each bird is given lots of special attention. Most of them have pictures of their companion birds on the wall. They tend to be a bit pricey on equipment. They guarantee that when you walk out of the store the bird is healthy and they give you a 10 day warranty (long enough to get the bird to a vet and find out they are carrying anything). If the bird is sick, they will take it back and refund the full cost. They are very good about answering questions and giving advice. You can have the birds wings and nails clipped regularly for a minimal charge of $3.00, much cheaper than a vet. I was going to work there on weekends but had to pass for the time being.(maybe when I retire)...Hope this helps...Sue

Submitted by Peg in Lousiana

Bird World Inc. at 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, La. (504) 454-0000 (the phone number's correct!). The owners are an older couple who used to be breeders when they were raising their own family. Now they breed birds and run the shop. They quite frequently have Quakers. The shop is always immaculate, one or both of the owners is always there, and they seem to have time to chat with you if you so desire. I highly recommend this shop. (Metairie is a suburb of New Orleans.)

Submitted by Karen and Albert

I travel a lot, and always check out the bird stores. But the best is right in our back yard here in south Florida; Brenda's Birds in Delray Beach. She can be reached at (561) 278-5394. Great prices, plus she and her staff handles the birds all day -- what angels those birds are!

Submitted by Liz Day

In northern Indianapolis is a new store called Bird Fever. It's run by a breeder who sells baby Quakers, although I'm not sure they come from his flock. This is where I would go in Indy to get one. Price is fair too (unlike some pet shops). Bird Fever near 86th and Allisonville Rds. I don't have the phone #, it's too new to be in the book, but you can call 411.

From Ellen and Fonzie (Dr. Chafel says I'm adorable. Of course she's right)

As for shops, the one of note right here in Acton is Boston Exotics. It's very complete and has a lot of well cared for birds. It's pricey on most items, but they have a whole lot of stock from which to choose. Brenda, owned by Kiko, and I are meeting there sometime on Saturday. I'll let her give you her comments after she's seen it.

Submitted by Caren Warel

My favorite is Bubbles and Beaks (and fins and scales and claws) in Marquette Michigan. It is in the Upper Peninsula on Washington Street. 906-228-3370. Diane is the owner or record, but the Blue and Gold Macaw, WACAM, is the boss. Her two employees, Mindy and Paula are dedicated to the safety and health of all the animals that are up for adoption. All the staff are experienced in hand feeding. They work with only top notch breeders and will sell no bird before its time. Clean and lots of fun too. Always trying to educate the customers.