Almost black cere?

[kapiesage]

I don't know if this is the right place for this, I'm sorry if it's not.

When I was at the pet store today I was looking at their birds and noticed one with an almost black cere. I told one of the employees that it didn't look right and she assured me the bird was in breeding condition and it was normal. Thanks to this site I have seen birds in breeding condition and this was much darker than any picture I'd seen. Is this normal? Should I have done something more than just tell them?

I never would have noticed something like that before, but thanks to TB, and my babies, I spotted it right away. I feel as though I should have stuck around until something was confirmed though.

[SpickyDavies]

never seen a black cere before, though it could be dried blood

was it smooth?

[kapiesage]

Yes, it was smooth. That's one reason why I didn't think the bird was in breeding condition. Every picture I've ever seen of a breeding bird is brown and flaky, not almost black and smooth.

[stacey101]

hummmmm any chance you can get pictures?

[Guthwulf]

Babies can often have black smooth ceres. Pet shop people will tell you ANY bird is in breeding condition. They will tell you anything for a sale -_-

If its a baby, this is normal. If its a hen, yes they can get pretty dark but i dont know about blackish. Hard to say without seeing the bird in question.

[kapiesage]

Babies can often have black smooth ceres. Pet shop people will tell you ANY bird is in breeding condition. They will tell you anything for a sale -_-

If its a baby, this is normal. If its a hen, yes they can get pretty dark but i dont know about blackish. Hard to say without seeing the bird in question.


Im not sure how old he/she was. He still had baby bars, but not all the way to his cere, so.....??

I'm going back later this week and if they still have it, I'm going to buy it. I would rather buy the bird and get it the care it needs than let it sit there suffering (if he is suffering). Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it. I'll post pics if I end up buying him/her.

[stacey101]

Im not sure how old he/she was. He still had baby bars, but not all the way to his cere, so.....??

I'm going back later this week and if they still have it, I'm going to buy it. I would rather buy the bird and get it the care it needs than let it sit there suffering (if he is suffering). Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it. I'll post pics if I end up buying him/her.

ahh this is great! maybe to be sure you get him/her call the pet store to 'hold him' for you ;)

[Guthwulf]

I dont think there is any reason to be concerned, and i actually advocate against 'rescuing' budgies from pet shops. If they are treating their birds poorly, or not providing adequate cages or food and you buy their birds to 'rescue' them - to the pet shop it just reinforces to them that there is no need to change and people will buy their birds.

If you refuse to buy their birds, then they will be forced to find out why and change it. I am not, and would not criticize you for purchasing this budgie, but i do advocate purchasing from established breeders of quality birds who provide great care. If you must spend money to support bird sellers - support those who do it right.