Let me warn you up front that this is a bit of a rant, I hate going to bird fairs, but often find myself going anyway to buy toys, cages, play stands, etc. (close to $500 worth today), but not birds (although I must admit I have been tempted a few times, including today). Don't get me wrong, there are good breeders, and bad breeders, and those that may just not know better somewhere in between that sell at these fairs. I live in a fairly remote area, the fair I went to today was about 100 miles away and being put on by bird club, a number people were there selling assorted small birds, there were also a number of people selling breeders, individuals and pairs, the small birds out numbered the larger birds probably 3 to 1 as is fairly normal. The thing that I found as unusual was the number of amazons there today, I would estimate about half the big birds there were Amazons of one type or another, with the hot three being well represented by a number of breeders. I walked around looked at the birds, and even played with a few, mostly I listened in to what the breeders were telling people, and talked with a few of them. The thing that worries me is the way most of the breeders characterized the birds they were selling, saying things like how sweet and playful there were, and never causing any trouble when talking about DYH and BFA, YNA's, etc.. No warnings about mating season, no warnings about Amazon overload, no warning about how load a happy amazon can be.

I find the same when going to bird fairs. I believe it is fairly common. The problem is (imo) that most of the people selling at bird fairs do not educate enough prior to selling.

as much as i look forward to going to our local bird fair every few months for really good deals on toys/perches/food/etc., i've come close to tears a few times seeing the condition some of the birds are in and the cages they are crammed into. it seems like disease could be so easily spread in a place like that, i can't imagine bringing baby birds! i really wish more shows would go "merchandise only", no live animals.

I have gone to one bird fair in my life,and will never return to another. I can't do it,The one I went to a couples years ago left me in tears,so many unweaned babies for sale,birds just sitting looking so sad,feathers in poor condition. Am I saying all breeders are bad,No but to many go to these fairs to just sell to make a profit,and will tell people how wonderfull these birds are,and leave out all the important parts,like mating season,proper diet and care ,and that the birds do scream and bite. Then what happens people buy these birds,thinking what a great pet for the kids,then soon find out its not the truth then they end up in rescue's.
I just can't walk into a bird fair ,once was enough to scar me.