There is a green parrot at the pet store that is all fluffed up and shivers, what could be wrong?

Question

When the store clerk brought him out of the cage he stopped shivering, when he put him back he started again. I would like to buy him but I am afraid he is sick.

Answer 1

Do you mean a quaker parrot?  Sometimes they shake their heads, that is a juvenile behavior to signal their parents to let them in the nest.  Also, theyget "poofy" when happy, but it's the shivering that is odd to me.

He/she may not be well socialized and may be nervous.  Or cold.  I got a quaker once that seemed to be in shock due to lack of attention.  Once she got some attention (being held and talked to) and moved to my place where my 1st quaker lives, she did a lot better in a couple days.  

Birds need to be stimulated.  They need to see movement, hear music/sound and be talked to.  They need fresh food and water daily at a minimum.  

Maybe the store doesn't have time for the bird.  I hope you can speak to the store owner and encourage them to give the bird a few minutes out of their day.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Call the SPCA and report what you've seen.  They will send someone to the pet store to determine whether the bird needs to see a veterinarian and can force the store management to comply.  They will not reveal your name to the store management.

Answer 3

Call the SPCA to take care of that, and adopt a bird, dont buy one!

Answer 4

if it wakes up if you startle it it is sleepy but if it sits there it is sick. it would also be on a shaky perch.