Parrots of the World — Local services in Town of Hempstead

I drove 3 hours on a Saturday to go to Parrots of the World. The owner, Marc Marone, is very well known, especially on LI. The prices in his store are pretty high, paying for his name. I have a family member who bought a few birds from him, all of which have died in less than a year of having them. I was walking around, talking to the different birds. Marc walked over and plops a baby cockatiel in my hands. His spiel is to tell you that you have to kiss it every day or it dies - I heard him saying it to everyone. The bird was cute, feathers still coming in. I asked if he had a baby blue boy parrotlet, which he then plopped in my hands. The bird was very sweet and calm. I ended up taking him home with a tiny $40 cage (which Marc said was the right size for this bird) and some other stuff like food, millet, a mineral block and toys.

Marc was joking about how many people kill these little birds by stepping on them or sitting on them. As a joke, I called him the next day, just to let him know that the bird was still alive. He told me he was 8 weeks old. He was very sweet and cuddly. All he ever did was snuggle up to my neck, eat and sleep. I couldn't believe how much he was eating. I had to clean his cage out every day from the mess. I called Marc again on Tuesday or Wednesday, joked that the bird was still alive, and asked about this. He said they can eat their weight in food every day. I looked it up online, and it did say they have a voracious appetite.

The cage Marc sold me was really not functional, and way too small. I read the cage should be longer than tall, and at least 18 x18 20 inches. I would have happily purchased the right size cage at the store had I been given accurate information. I ended up having to purchase a bigger cage. The bird peeped a little, liked the swing, but didn't really play with the many toys I got for him to keep him occupied. Friday night, when I came home from work, he was running back and forth in front of the door of the cage, telling me he wanted to come out. I took him out, and he snuggled under my neck for hours. At one point, he cuddled up against my arm, sleeping. At about 9:30 PM, I went to move the bird and noticed something was wrong. The bird had his head down and wasn't lifting it up. It was then I knew that he was dying. He was holding his body up, but his head was still down. He would open his eyes and look at me if I urged him to. As the night went on, he just got worse, couldn't hold himself up; you could just see him dying. I held him and kissed him until he passed at about 11:30 PM. There was nothing I could do. There was no vet open, and even if there was, there was nothing that could be done. I had him for 6 days.

The next day, I called Marc, to tell him the bird died, and he blamed me for it because "the bird was fine here". He basically accused me of doing something, and that something must be wrong at my house. I have an 18 year old cockatiel who is fine. I know that it is a hardier bird, but if my house was toxic as he implied, that bird would have died too. I have had many birds over the years. I am not a novice or a moron. He told me he wouldn't sell me another bird because HE doesn't want to go through this again. Because it upsets HIM. Because every time he sells a parrotlet something happens. Well, if that is the case, maybe Marc, or maybe his birds, are the problem. I don't appreciate him blaming me for his selling me a sick bird. I feel bad enough as it is, why make me feel worse. Yes he is overpriced. You are paying for his name and experience. But I don't appreciate his attitude. He gave me my money back for the bird. I didn't ask to be reimbursed for the cage (which was inappropriate for this bird and a waste of money) or his overpriced accessories which I cannot use. I am a very loyal customer, and would have regularly driven the 3 hours for my supplies and grooming (which I can do myself). I would have bought another bird there. Things happen. But after his reaction, and attitude toward me, never again. I didn't ask for any of...

One of my dogs injured a baby bird. I called my local vet but they didn’t take birds so they suggested calling parrots of the world. Since this was my first time experiencing something like this, I drove a while with the injured bird and brought him in a shoe box.

I was physically upset, I cried to the owner as he took the bird out of the shoe box. He held it up and said “it has a broken wing and broken leg it’s in pretty bad shape” I asked what is the next step what will he do with the bird? And as I asked I started crying so much I wasn’t able to speak. I said I feel so bad I hope he makes it. And the owner turned around, and said verbatim “take a picture” and held the bird up. With a smirk on his face. Poor thing injured suffering in severe pain and he tells me to take a photo!!! I found this to be very cold and I was speechless. I think I stared at him in shock,

He had told me he would call wildlife rescue and they would pick the bird up. A couple hours later I had called him back to check on the bird and he said the wildlife rescue had picked the bird up already and he was still alive when they got him. He advised me to call back 2 days later for more information

So I called back again as he said, and he was very fast in answering me with very few words. He provided the name of the person who picked up the bird since I continued asking several times.....then said “sorry the bird didn’t make it. It died” I started asking questions but he blew me off as if I was questioning what he did with the bird.

After a couple days of crying my eyes out over this poor bird and not satisfied with his answers (also because nothing he said added up) I found the direct number for the so called “woman’s name” that he said picked up the bird. When I got her on the phone she told me she has not seen or been at parrots of the world in a very long time, and the next time I have an injured animal I should not bring it to him. I should have called her or a wildlife rescue place.

At this time I still do not know what happened to that poor poor little bird, and I know he lied to me. The thoughts I have is that he left that bird in the shoe box I brought it in , to just die. If that’s the case then God help him because the way he keeps those birds in small cages is a sin and I honestly thought he was going to really help that bird.

It still bothers me today and it’s been several weeks now. I cried so much about it but I have to let it go. I did everything I could to try to save it. I feel like bringing it to him was the biggest mistake.

I would never ever ever recommend...

I cannot stress what I am about to share enough...DO NOT BUY ANY ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY BIRDS from this store. The conditions the birds are kept in are absolutely disgraceful and the business practices are worse. We purchased two birds from this establishment about 3 years ago as novice bird owners. Cut to present day, our Harlequin macaw is sick with Avian Borna Virus, a virus that’s prevalent in birds who essentially come from bird mills. It is extremely contagious and very likely that all the birds in the store have it. We are currently about 5,000 down in vet bills and our bird is going to need life-long care. Luckily, we are in a position where we can handle this situation, but many people are not. Birds can suffer greatly from this condition if not treated quickly and properly.

Furthermore, the initial advice given by the owner clearly is given to appease the customer and make a quick sale. An example: the owner tried to convince us that we could keep our Severe macaw in a cage that would be suitable for cockatiel for her entire life. Fully grown, she would not have been able to fully extend her wings without touching the sides of the cage. It was clear to us that the cage was much too small and would actually be cruel to keep her in it. Appropriate cage size is basic knowledge that anyone who claims to be an animal lover, much less an avian expert would have. However, it was more important for the owner to convince us that we would be able to find space for her than it was to ensure that this bird would have a happy and healthy life. This is just one example. Ask about avian nutrition. The advice you’d be given would make anyone with a slight bit of knowledge shudder.

We have since acquired other birds from other reputable breeders and the difference is dramatic. Records are kept, testing is done, and conditions are sanitary. This place has none of those qualities. We brought our Harlequin home because we were horrified by the conditions he was kept in and couldn’t bear the thought of him living like that any longer. It was a choice that dramatically changed our lives, however, the only positive is that we probably saved him from dying a terrible death. We are able to take care of him properly. Many people cannot and will not be able to undertake this.

This business should be closed down. Sick animals are sold. Please save yourself the heartache and agony we are currently...