How To Purchase A Bird FAQ's

Personalized Bird Selection at Exotic Wings!

At Exotic Wings, we're committed to providing the best possible experience when finding the perfect feathered friend for your family. That's why we've transitioned to an appointment-based system for bird visits in our Avian Education Centre.

Here's what you can expect:

  • Dedicated Time: Receive personalized attention during your visit. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about specific birds that might be a good fit for your lifestyle.
  • Meet Your Match: Interact with birds you're interested in adopting, allowing you to get a feel for their personalities.
  • Informed Decisions: We'll provide detailed care sheets and answer any questions you have about bird ownership to ensure you're fully prepared to welcome your new feathered family member.

Appointments are Required:

To schedule your personalized bird visit, simply call us at 519-699-5656. Let's find the perfect feathered companion for you together!

Before You Start

What is the process of purchasing a bird?

If you are interested in purchasing a bird but aren't sure what you need to do, we would be happy to assist you. There are images of our available birds on the live bird pages so that you can see them. Our available handfed birds will have a green banner across the top right corner that states "I AM FOR SALE."

Once you have some idea about a pet, you can contact us to make an appointment to visit with the bird and ask any questions you may have about suitability for your home and family. Appointments to meet birds are 45 minutes.

Once the bird of your choice is ready to go home, you will be contacted to book another pick-up appointment. This time is to go over the care sheet, answer any questions and allow for any in store shopping you may need or wish to do. Pickup appointment times are 90 minutes.

Exotic Wings is happy to assist you in purchasing the correct products for your new pet. Please consider that your time allotment is from the booked start time to the corresponding end time. For example, showing up 20 minutes late does not extend the end time by 20 minutes. Please ensure you show up on time. Showing up late for an appointment may require rescheduling the appointment.

If you would like to purchase a baby that is not yet ready to go home, we ask for a minimum 50% deposit. We must receive payment within 24 hours of sending the invoice. If you do not send payment, the invoice will be cancelled and the bird will be back up for sale.

We have 42 years of experience in keeping, breeding and selling birds.

The reason for our system being complex is to prevent the impulse buying of unwanted pet birds. This ensures new bird owners are properly invested and committed to their new beloved pet / family member.

We feel that at Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc. bird ownership is not a right, but a privilege to share your life with a pet bird. Birds tend to be longer lived than other pets. Some birds live up to 80 years or more, so it is a life-altering commitment taking on a pet bird.

A new pet owner must think about all of their life-stages and how keeping a pet bird will affect their life plan.

Picking Out A Bird

Can I see your birds online?

Yes. All of our currently available species of handfed birds are listed here with care and behaviour details, as well as pricing. Photos of the exact bird for sale have a green banner in the top right corner that says "I AM FOR SALE".

Can I handle birds before purchasing?

Yes, by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

If you are looking to purchase one of the birds you have seen online you can call us and we can set up an appointment for you to come into the store to handle them.

Please note, this is not the same has "putting a bird on hold". Please check the following question for more information on how to reserve your bird.

Can I put a bird on hold?

No. Birds are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. We do not put birds on hold without a minimum 50% deposit. REGARDLESS OF APPOINTMENT TO VISIT A BIRD.

If there is a bird you are seriously considering purchasing but want to handle them before making it final. It is strongly recommended to place a 50% deposit and if you do not like the bird for any reason after meeting them we will refund your deposit in full with no questions asked.

Do you still carry finches & canaries?

With our updated business model we have opted to focus more on our handfed birds. We will no longer be selling finches and canaries. We may have canaries and finches available for rehoming so be sure to stay tuned there. We understand that many people have come to Exotic Wings for their finches and canaries over the years and we do not wish to leave you feeling stranded. We still have all the information and stock all the food, vitamins, nesting supplies, etc. that you need to keep and breed your birds.

If you are looking to add finches and canaries to your flock you can check for the desired species or variety on our website and then click “Check Other Sources” on the right side of your computer screen, or below the bird’s name on your mobile device. You will find contact information and available species from finch and canary breeders that we feel are ethical.

Visiting A Bird

How do bird visits work?

Picking out new birds in person is done BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call us at 519-699-5656 to make an appointment.

When you have contacted us and set up an appointment to view a bird, you will receive further instruction on how the appointment runs. We have created a space at the front of our store where you can meet the bird you are looking at purchasing.

How many times can I visit a new bird?

Unfortunately, due to very high demand we are only allowing one in-store visit to pick out a new bird.

You will be able to handle them again when they are ready to take home if you are not taking the bird home on the same day.

What do I need to be prepared?

Picking out new birds in person is done BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please call us at 519-699-5656 to make an appointment.

Before booking your appointment, make sure you have looked at the available birds on our website and picked one or two that you are interested in possibly adding to your family. We have taken time to provide write-ups and plenty of information to help you decide whether or not a certain species would be a good fit for you. We are happy to answer any further questions you may have, so don't hesitate to reach out and ask!

Please note, we are limited to a maximum capacity of 4 visiting persons in our bird visitation room at a time. We do this to limit the amount of stress for the birds. We suggest that those who are going to be most involved with the bird come for the appointment.

If you are feeling unwell please contact us to reschedule your appointment.

Taking Your Bird Home

Are your birds ready to take home the same day?

It depends on the bird. Sometimes we do have birds that are ready to go home that are available. If there is a bird you are interested in that is not ready to go home, we do not recommend you wait for it to wean before placing your deposit as there is a good chance it may sell to someone else before it is weaned.

How will I know when my bird is ready to take home?

If you have purchased a bird that is still being handfed, we will contact you once they have been fully weaned and we feel they are ready to take home. We will contact you via email with a link to the care sheet, booking a time to pick-up your bird and a collection of items we have found that type of bird to be fond of.

What is your bird "care sheet"?

Our avian care sheet is a document created by us to touch on all of the most important challenges, growing pains and proper care for new pet birds.

It is store policy that anyone taking home a new bird will go over this care sheet in full with a staff member. It is the responsibility of the new bird owner to ask questions and make sure that before they leave the store all of their questions have been answered and they clearly understand the needs of their new pet and how to care for them.

Do I need my own pet carrier to take a new bird home?

No. If you do not have your own carrier to take your new bird home we will provide a box for them to go home in.

However, you are more than welcome to bring your own carrier if you have one.

Do your birds include supplies?

No, any supplies for a new bird must be purchased separately. We recommend checking out our list of "Ownership Essentials" that we have specifically curated for each type of bird.

However, purchasing a bird from Exotic Wings does include the following bonuses:

1. Each of our handfed birds includes one FREE WEEK of boarding in our facility.
*Conditions apply to free boarding*

2. Our birds also get their first grooming at Exotic Wings for FREE!

3. Some extra food which will be the same as they are currently eating when they are ready to take home.

4. We are always here to answer any questions you have about your new bird! We are just a phone call away.