Finch Pricing Question

[Rapunzil]

I'm located in NJ and found a person selling finches on Craigslist. Since I'm relatively new to them, I'm not sure if the prices are good or not. The person who is selling is an 1 1/2 hours away, so I'd like to find out before I drive all the way down there. Might someone please advise?

Goldbreast Waxbill $35.00
Cordon Blue $50.00
Star Finch $45.00

Thank you!

[Sally]

Prices vary widely from one area of the country to another, so I can't really speak for NJ. In Texas, those prices would be about what you might find at a bird mart. The Goldbreasts might be a little cheaper, at $25 each, and the Cordon Bleus might be a little cheaper, at $40 each. In some areas, these prices would be high, in others they would be very inexpensive.

Can the person send you some pictures before you make the drive? And can they tell you how old they are, if they are breeding pairs, if they are related, if they are wild-caught or domestic? If they are a breeder, they should be able to answer at least some of these questions, if they do not breed and just have a few birds, they may not have any history on them at all.

When I was raising and selling horses, my brother always said a horse was worth whatever someone was willing to pay for it. If you like these birds and get a good feeling about the seller, I'd go for it.

[nixity]

Keep in mind the regulations in NJ too - all of those birds fall under the "Exotics" list for NJ and require a permit for you to keep and/or breed them, and the owner/breeder must have a Pet Shop permit in order to legally sell them as well.

[Finchtastic]

Keep in mind the regulations in NJ too - all of those birds fall under the "Exotics" list for NJ and require a permit for you to keep and/or breed them, and the owner/breeder must have a Pet Shop permit in order to legally sell them as well.

You need a permit to own finches? That is crazy. How come?

[nixity]

In NJ you do... because they have really asinine restrictions when it comes to pet birds.

Some of it might have to do with the population of Wild Quakers established in Edgewater and elsewhere throughout NJ as a result of negligent bird owners

But for me when I was in NJ with my Gouldians, because I bred them and sold them I had to pay for a Pet Shop Permit each year.. and with it, came all these other stupid contingencies.. i.e., I had to provide at the end of the year a "roll call" of all the birds in my possession and what their band info was, any birds that were sold, bought, or traded and their information, any birds that were born or died, etc.
It is ridiculous!!

[Finchtastic]

In NJ you do... because they have really asinine restrictions when it comes to pet birds.

Some of it might have to do with the population of Wild Quakers established in Edgewater and elsewhere throughout NJ


It is ridiculous!!

I heard about the quakers alright. Somethin similar happened in England with Indian Ringnecks and they are doing really well.

And it reallly is ridiculous .
In Ireland you can buy and sell finches with any sort of permit as far as im aware cause my dad done it in the past and I plan on selling some down the line.
We have a dog liscense thats about it

[nixity]

But anyway to answer the OP's question they seem like fair prices to me..

[Queen_Bee]

I recently paid $100 Cdn for a breeding pair (we'll see) of Red Cheeked Cordon Bleu finches, with (a too small) cage. I think the price quoted to you sounds reasonable... if it's not too much bother to arrange to keep them - those permits are a bit much!!

[Domenic]

Prices are a *little* bit higher than what I usually see a bird fair, and I mean $5 or so higher. If they are healthy birds I would buy them for those prices.