After you've decided that rescuing a bird is indeed your destiny, and you've figured out which kinds of birds may suit your needs, you're ready to locate the bird of your dreams. You have a few options. Although you can find a bird in the newspaper ("free to good home"), this option is not the most desirable option, because although such birds may well need good homes, you may not get the full story about the bird's health, behavioral issues, or care needs. An animal shelter or bird rescue group is much more likely to have:

• Evaluated the bird for suitability in a pet home
• Enlisted the services of a vet to checked the bird for health problems
• Worked with the bird to determine its personality and other relevant information a pet owner wants to know before making a choice

First, be sure check with your local animal shelter and rescue group to find out whether they have birds. Don't rush to buy the first bird you see. Remember your limitations, your abilities, and what you're willing to handle. Think about the kind of bird that works for you, and then visit birds as they become available, using your head -- and not your heart -- when making a decision. Let the experts at the shelter advise and help you decide about adopting a bird.