So the hubs and I treated ourselves to Jamba Juice this evening, and since it is across the parking lot from Petco, we HAD to stop in and look at all the animals.

Lots of cute birdies... I had a feeling that'd they would have a linnie, and I was right! He was very cute, a beautiful blue shade... and bigger than I expected (which is fine by me!)... apart from being really puffed up and cowering in the corner of his cage.

I learned that that sort of behavior is a red flag for 'sick bird' when I was a kid, but from what I've read so far, it seems like linnies like spending time at the bottom of their cages since they like to forage.

Do your birds sit on the bottom of their cages like I described? I have no intention of buying the lil guy (I refuse to support Petco & PetsMart's trade of birds/small animals), but I was curious if that was normal or not.

Sorry if the question comes off as dumb, but the only birds I've owned before are parakeets, and they seem quite different from linnies!

No, My Linnies never stay on the bottom.. they do go down to eat... but they are always moving around, playing, active. He does not sound good...I would have brought it to someones attention... I really do not like how they treat the birds in those stores either.. and no one can answer any questions..

Thanks for asking about them....
Now are you sure you are not in the market for a Linnie? LOL... just kidding!

foraging is one thing, cowering is another. definitely a red flag. i am proud of you for not buying from those awful chains, they do not treat animals properly at all.

i would say to bring it to their attention, but i am sure they could really care less, sadly you could write a complaint to corportate. every bit helps. hopefully one day, animals won't be merchandise.

My linnie never sits at the bottom of her cage. If she is in the cage, she is always on the rope perch or hanging at the door asking to get out.

I guess I should have brought it to someone's attention, but at the same time I bet they wouldn't have cared. I know that when I worked at petsmart, the course of action was to take a sick pet to be put down anyway, they didn't even try to help them!

I still feel sorry for the little guy, regardless. Hopefully he will be taken care of and be ok!

Denise: I do actually want a Linnie. But we can't get a bird for a while (too many expenses coming up within the next 6 months, and I want to make sure that we have enough money saved up for him & whatever he needs!). I'm aiming to add a feathered friend to our home in late summer/early fall. Hopefully the breeder I talked to here in UT will have some baby linnies ready by then.

That sounds wonderful.... You will not be sorry... They are really special birds... and if you are close enough to the breeder... See if you can go do some visits.. and check out the total package...
And if you do.. Let us know what you think...
I love to hear peoples first impressions..