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I have found a couple whose father just passed away and they are trying to sell a male 6 yr. old eclectus. The birds feathers are ragged at the tips and a little under the wing. I suspect the tails feathers are in part to the cage size. ( apprx. 36") His feathers do not look like he is plucking. His beak also looks unkept. They confess that the bird was and has been on a junk food diet. Everything from cheetohs to table scraps and pellets. His disposition seems to be great he was a little shy but stepped right up to me and my kids. The couple said that he talks alot and he did try to say a few things while we were holding him. They are asking $700 for the bird and cage. Do you think with the proper diet and and beak trim his feathers will look healthy again? Could there be alot of other health problems due to a poor diet of 6 years that I don't see? Would you suggest to keep on looking?
Thanks for any help you can offer.

Hi, $700 is alittle hefty for a bird 7yrs old, even though that is young. You might want to talk them down some. If the cage is not large you are going to end up putting extra money for that. I would definitely have a vet check so the beak, wings and nails can be dealt with. He will need bloodwork to test for diseases and liver or kidney problems due from a poor diet. Getting him back on a healthy diet, a nice large cage and great toys with alot of out of cage time should make him look and feel better. Dailey spritzing with luke warm water can fix those frayed feathers. You can bye a baby for close to that $700 price. But adopting this bird is definitely something to look forward to in that you are helping a forgotten bird. Eclectus have very long digestive tracks and shouldn't be fed seed and most pellet diets. You will be required to chop fresh veggies and esp fruits everyday for an eclectus. Males make great pets and he sounds very calm. Maybe you could right a contract up that states after the vet appointment and everything is fine then sale is final. What ever you do make sure you take him to an Avian specialist vet. Hope this helps some.

I agree that $700 is too much for a rehomed adult bird, especially since the cage sounds too small, possibly inadequate. I don't know where you are located, but in my area, you can get a hand fed baby for $800 or less, considering the economy right now. I would offer them less. It doesn't sound like they are very knowledgeable about parrots. Let them know as nicely as you can that you will need to purchase a better and larger cage for him. That being said, he sounds like a very nice adult bird, which should also be taken into account. Although he's been fed a poor diet, he was probably loved by his former owner based on his disposition. With a larger cage, improved diet, and showers, there is a very good likelihood that his feather condition will improve. The Eclectus I've known have loved their showers. I don't have an Eclectus, but if I were to bring one home, it would definitely be a male. I think they have sweeter personalities than the females, plus I love their iridescent green feathers and candy corn beaks. I hope it works out, and you bring the bird home. It sounds like this little guy needs a good home.