Conference 7.286::pet_birds

355.0. "Finch imitating crow?" by REORG::DARROW () Wed May 09 1990 17:45

    
    I bought the two shaft-tailed finches I mentioned in an earlier
    note. I'm entering this as a separate note because it's a
    different, although related problem.
    
    BACKGROUND:
    
    I was under the impression than finches made little "peep, peep"
    sorts of noises.  This pair, in fact, only made "peep" noises each
    of the three times I visited them in the pet shop.
    
    About an hour after I got them home, the female started making loud
    "CAW, CAW" noises.  She is as loud, if not louder than a parakeet,
    and a lot more annoying. (I don't mean to offend you 'keet owners,
    but I got tired of their noise after 9+ years!)  I live in an
    apartment and you can hear her half-way down the hall.  
    
    It's not a cry of alarm.  She does it even when I'm not in the room.
    They *DO* make the little "peep" noises, but she specializes in
    crow imitations.  Once she gets going, the male starts in too, but
    only at her instigation.
    
    QUESTION 1:
    
    Is this normal for shaft-tails/long-tails??  Will she settle
    down, given time?
    
    QUESTION 2:
    
    I bought the birds on Saturday afternoon and called the pet store on
    Monday morning to express my concern and displeasure at the noise. The
    pet store said they're willing to take them back for 2/3 of what I
    paid, with the refund in the form of a store credit.  Is this normal
    for live critters?  I don't mind the store-credit part, but getting
    only 2/3 of what I paid seems a bit unfair. The store has a 14-day 
    health guarantee, but apparently no "satisfaction" policy for animals.  
    Should I press them for more of a refund?
    
    These are beautiful birds, but just too noisy for where I'm living
    now...
    
    Thanks for any advice.
    
    Jennifer

    Hi Jennifer,
    
    I live in Atlanta Ga. and the stores around here do the same sort
    of thing.
    I recommend pressing them to see what you could get if you're still
    in the 14-day period.
    Maybe, if they won't work with you, you could shop around to see
    if you could get a better deal from another store.  I did that with
    a bird and was lucky to be able to do that.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Laurie