Yes, we regularly have hand-reared parrots available at our Ferntree Gully store. Availability does change, so we always recommend asking the team what hand-reared birds are currently in store. You are also welcome to visit and interact with the birds before deciding.

Our bird availability changes regularly. Depending on breeding, age and hand-rearing progress, you may find pet parrots, hand-reared birds and aviary birds in store. Rather than giving you an old stock list, we would prefer you call us or visit the store so we can tell you what is actually available at the time.

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it. Seeing a bird in person gives you a much better feel for its temperament and interaction style. Come into our Ferntree Gully store, spend some time looking at the birds and ask us questions before you make your decision.

There is no single best bird for every first-time owner. We look at your home, how much time you have, whether you have children, your experience and how much interaction you want from your bird. Birds have different personalities and care needs, so our job is to help you choose a bird that suits your actual lifestyle rather than simply recommending the most popular one. Birds require appropriate food, mental stimulation, security and social interaction.

Start by being honest about your daily routine. How much time can you spend with your bird? Are you comfortable with noise? Do you want a bird you can interact with regularly, or are you setting up an aviary? We ask these sorts of questions in store because choosing the right bird is about matching its needs and personality with your home and lifestyle.

Friendliness can depend on the individual bird, how it has been raised and the interaction it continues to receive. Hand-reared and regularly handled companion birds may already be more familiar with people, but every bird is still an individual. We always recommend meeting the bird rather than choosing purely from a species name or a photo online. Victorian Bird Co regularly offers hand-reared birds that customers can view in store.

Ask about the bird’s species, age, diet, current handling, temperament and daily care needs. You should also think about the right cage, perches, food and toys before taking the bird home. We would much rather answer plenty of questions before you buy than have you choose a bird that does not suit your home. Proper housing, diet and mental stimulation are important parts of bird care.

It depends on the exact species. Some Victorian wildlife species require a Wildlife Basic or Wildlife Advanced Licence, while certain species can be kept for private, non-commercial purposes without a wildlife licence when acquired lawfully. If you are unsure about a particular bird, ask us and check the current Victorian Conservation Regulator requirements before taking the bird home.

This depends on the exact species and the current Wildlife Regulations. Species listed in Schedule 4 of Victoria’s Wildlife Regulations 2024 can be kept for non-commercial purposes without applying for a private wildlife licence, provided they have been acquired lawfully and were not taken from the wild. For any native bird you are unsure about, we recommend confirming the exact species against the current Victorian Government list rather than guessing.

That depends on the bird species and what the bird is already eating. We recommend asking us before suddenly changing a new bird’s diet. A diet change may need to be introduced gradually, and different birds can have different nutritional requirements. Our Ferntree Gully store stocks bird food, and our team can help you choose a suitable option for your bird.