Imagine you are in the pet shop when you spot a beautiful bird that you would just love to take home with you. The bird's feathers are so colorful and its mannerisms so endearing that you say to yourself, "My kids are going to have so much fun playing with this friendly bird, I'm going to buy it right now!" Within days of paying hundreds you notice that the bird doesn't seem "right." Sure enough, a visit to your veterinarian confirms your worst fears: You have purchased a sickly bird that may have even carried disease and parasites into your home.

There is a better way. You don't have to settle for a not-so-healthy bird if you learn what a healthy bird should look like. Here's how potential bird owners can avoid disappointment by evaluating a bird's health in the pet shop-before they make their purchase.

Eyes: Are the eyes clear and bright without any discharge?

Beak: Is the beak smooth? Are the nares (nostrils) dry and open?

Feathers: Do the feathers appear lustrous, strong, smooth, bright, and opaque to light? Do the feathers snap back when bent and do they "zip" closed after being ruffled? Are the feathers the appropriate color for the species? (Try bringing a photo of a healthy bird of the same species with you into the pet shop.)

Do not even consider purchasing the bird if you notice pin feathers (on a baby bird, this means the bird is too young, or in the case of an adult bird, it is a sign of illness), a dirty or stained appearance, thin or translucent feathers, ragged edges, feathers that break easily, or color breaks. (Unless you have a photo of the same species at the same age as the one you are looking at in the pet store, only an avian veterinarian will be able to detect color breaks.) If the feathers strike you as having "unusual" colors or markings, watch out: These are not unique "beauty marks" but rather a clear indicator of an underlying health problem.

Feet: Do you see an even, reptilian pattern resembling tire marks on the bottom of the bird's feet? (You can check this by thinking of the bottom of the bird's feet as a tire. If there is a break in the middle of a line or if they are smooth like a bald tire, this means the bird is very old and/or malnourished.) Are the bird's nails the appropriate length (not overgrown or twisted)?

Overall Body: Is the bird's posture alert and erect? Is the bird's body free of lumps and bumps? Is the bird's skin supple and without any signs of flakiness, sores or rashes?

Consider buying the bird only if you are able to answer "yes" to each question above. "Yes" answers indicate that your new pet has the signs of a healthy bird. However, before you bring your bird home, you will want to confirm that there are no underlying health problems. You will also want to protect your family by finding out if the bird has any disease or parasites. To complete this valuable prepurchase research, bring your bird to an avian (bird) veterinarian who will conduct vital evaluations of the other aspects of your bird's health.

Droppings: Although feathers often reveal symptoms of disease, droppings are the best indicator of underlying problems that can't be detected with the naked eye. Long before your bird develops any visible signs of illness, a qualified avian veterinarian will be able to uncover early signs of potential disease by examining your bird's droppings.

A Gram's stain test is a fast, easy way to assess the general condition of your bird's intestinal immune system, and it can catch a problem in the early stages-before a serious illness develops. If the Gram's stain test detects bacterial problems in the digestive system, your bird could have liver disease or immune-system suppression. These common illnesses are most often caused by malnutrition. Your veterinarian will also examine your bird's fresh feces for Giardia and other intestinal parasites.

Contagious diseases: A complete examination by your avian veterinarian could even help protect the health of your family and you. If your bird has a disease called psittacosis (also known as chlamydiosis, parrot fever or ornithosis), it can be contagious to humans, resulting in flu-like symptoms. Your bird might have such symptoms as drowsiness, loss of appetite or ruffled feathers. However, some birds have no symptoms at all. The overall appearance of the bird, combined with two chlamydia test results, will help your vet determine if your bird is carrying this disease.

Vaccinations, blood tests and screens for other diseases are available, and the need varies according to the species and the health history of the seller's birds.

The extra time and effort you will spend thoroughly looking over the bird in the pet shop, followed by a visit to your avian veterinarian, will prove invaluable. The homework on your part will help you find a pet bird that is healthy enough for you to bring home to meet your family. This could mean the difference between buying a sickly bird or a happy, healthy bird. Isn't this approach much more reassuring than blindly purchasing a bird that could prove to be ill, and even bring parasites and disease into your home?

The initial exam is only the first step in maintaining the health of your new pet bird. Remember that annual checkups are just as important as your pet bird's first exam. By working with your avian veterinarian to thoroughly examine the bird you are considering buying, and then following through with a consistent health care regimen, you can prevent small problems from becoming serious illnesses.

-Dr. Greg J. Harrison is board-certified in avian practice in the United States and Europe. His associate veterinarian is Dr. Gwen Flinchum. The Bird Hospital is in Lake Worth, Fla., and can be reached at 561-964-2121.