How to Buy a Myna Bird

There are 32 species of Myna birds found throughout Eastern Asia. Myna birds are true characters, making them treasured pets. They have extraordinary talents as imitators, even more so than parrots, and can skillfully repeat any melody they hear. If you are considering the purchase of a Myna bird, there are a few things you need to know.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a reputable Myna dealer or bird shop. This can be quite a daunting task, as Myna birds are not the most common of pets, but with a thorough search, you can find a dealer.

2. Make sure the Myna bird is healthy before you buy. A healthy bird will have smooth, glossy feathers and bright eyes. He will hop around alertly and will have a straight, upright back. If the feathers are constantly fluffed, he stays in a corner, has dull eyes and a hunched back, the bird is most likely sick.

3. Consider buying a pair of Myna birds instead of just one. In their natural habitat, Myna birds live in pairs, or in flocks of up to 30 birds, so they are not accustomed to being alone. Additionally, the manner in which they learn from one another can be quite funny.

4. Choose young Myna birds, so that they grow up and socialize with you. This will promise you a better pet, as well as a better "talker." Myna that have not been properly socialized to humans as babies are less likely to be good imitators.

5. Ask the dealer or person you are buying an adult Myna bird from how much time it has spent with humans. It can be difficult to find an adult Myna that is a good imitator, so be sure that you hear it speak before making a decision. A mature Myna that isn't speaking is unlikely to ever do so.

6. Judge the age of your Myna bird, not only by size, but also by the color of its wattles. A full-grown Myna can be between 9 and 12 inches. As the bird matures, its wattles become a bright, strong yellow color.

7. Purchase a large cage for your Myna birds. Consider length over height, as they like to hop from perch to perch. The cage should be large enough to hold at least three perches at varying levels. Myna birds are messy and like to throw their food around, so buy an easy-to-clean cage.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful what you say around your Myna bird, as it can be the perfect imitator, often copying voices and accents perfectly. No secret is safe with a Myna.

Resources

• Online buying, selling and trading of rare birds.