When choosing a bird, make sure it's alert and bright-eyed, and that it's plumage is pristine and free of bare spots. Be wary of an inactive bird whose feathers are ruffled, especially if it's sleeping with its head turned and tucked into its feathers. Take a close look at its environment, which provides a lot of information about the bird's health.

If you already have other birds at home, it's best to isolate the new arrival for 30 days, preferably in another room, to ensure that you don't spread any diseases missed at the time of purchase.

Avoid trying to tame your bird immediately; instead, give it some time to adjust to its new environment. Don't take it out of its cage for a week, and don't bathe it for two weeks. If the bird refuses to eat for the first 24 hours, it's probably stressed out about its new home. The best thing to do is to cover three sides of the cage and give the bird unlimited access to millet sprays.