Originally posted by Giselle
Where can you find an English budgie?

If you want a GOOD English budgie, it's best to find an exhibitor who shows their birds as well as breeds them. English budgies from excellent lines with good carriage, a nice full head, proper stature, proper wing alignment, and a calm demeanor WILL run over 150$. Some birds who don't quite make the mark are often sold for companionship or aspiring English budgie breeders. These babies are usually parent raised, although I know some exhibitors who sell hand raise English budgies just as pets. These hand fed English-ers are about 125$-150$ from a reputable, private breeder. I generally don't like buying from a pet store, but whatever floats your boat.

American ("regular") budgies run about 15-20$ for a parent raised bird. Hand feds run about 40$. I will also agree that English-ers tend to have a calmer and tamer disposition. I believe this is in part due to the fact that, like dog shows, birds have to turn "ON" and stay looking fabulous in front of the judge. This drives the breeder to select the top birds with a calm disposition. Hope this helps!
The same thing goes for hamsters and hamster breeders and showing. If you want a show quality hamster, you go to a breeder, but you can still get a friendly hamster.. better than most pet store hamsters anyways.
I am against buying from pet stores. I would consider getting a a bird from Omar's Exotic Birds though. Yes, I am in Orane County. I believe Cass asked that. There is actually a small Omar's about 5 minutes from my house. I am going to a hamster show in Lake Forest on the 2nd, and there is also and Omar's right by there.
You guys make those English budgies sound very tempting.

Nowhow do I go about finding a bird breeder here in California.
I look for bird clubs here in southern CA.. and I get addresses. No email address, website, or phone number. There is an Orange County Bird Breeders club. Their P.O. Box is located in the same city in which I live. The P.O box goes to the membership secretary, so I am assuming she lives here as well. I wish their was a website, email address or phone number. It would be so much easier.