About Birds Unlimited

Once you get here, you’ll quickly see that Birds Unlimited is in a class of its own. We carry an enormous selection of products for birds, and even the big “super stores” can’t compete with what we offer. More importantly, those stores don’t have a staff with the background and bird knowledge you’ll find here, and they won’t spend the same amount of time helping you. Take your time, ask questions, and stay until you have the answers you need.

Farm and garden stores, department stores, and “super pet stores” simply can’t match our bird-focused selection or experience. That’s one reason so many of their own employees shop here. And unlike those other stores, you won’t find a bag of fertilizer sitting in the next aisle. Our focus is birds. Our hope is that when you leave, you’ll know more about birds than you did when you walked in.

Sure, you can buy a bird at another store—but you can’t buy one from a better store. Since opening in 1990, we’ve sent thousands of baby birds to their new homes. Most have stayed nearby, but our babies now live throughout the country, as well as in Canada and Singapore. We’ve also raised birds for zoos, including ZooAtlanta and Seneca Park Zoo, along with the Strong Museum Butterfly exhibit.

Every bird at Birds Unlimited is raised in captivity. None are taken from the wild. Our birds are raised within the guidelines of the New York State Wild Bird Law, which is something you cannot say about every store. Most of our birds are raised locally, while many of our larger parrots come to us from Florida. New birds arrive almost every week throughout the year, giving you plenty of opportunities to meet different species.

For the greatest selection, plan your visit between May and September, which is the height of the breeding season. Every year, we hand-feed hundreds of babies, from tiny parrotlets all the way up to enormous macaws. We never allow a baby bird to leave until it is fully weaned. Depending on the species, that can take anywhere from 8 to 30 weeks—or even longer. Cockatoos, in particular, have a reputation for taking their sweet time.

Not sure which bird is right for you? No problem. Our knowledgeable staff can help you make an informed choice based on your lifestyle, home, and environment. Stop in and discover why people from across New York State make the trip to shop at Birds Unlimited.

Our staff loves birds—and they love talking about them. They enjoy getting the birds out, handling them, introducing them to customers, and showing off their personalities. Fortunately, they also enjoy cleaning up after them.

Have a question about birds? Just ask. Several members of our team have gone on to become veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and veterinarians. Others have worked at zoos and even the National Aviary. That kind of hands-on experience brings an extra level of knowledge to every conversation.

Our goal is simple: when you leave, you should know more about birds than when you came in. If you don’t, then we’re not doing our job.

These people aren’t just great—they’re the best in the area. Birds Unlimited wouldn’t be what it is without them. Interestingly, most of our employees were customers here before they became part of the team, so they know firsthand what makes this place special.

Of course, when the staff saw what I had written about them, the response was predictable: “What, is this all you can say about us?” Apparently, I can’t win.

My background with birds is pretty varied. I started keeping birds when I was 16, beginning with big birds. Eventually, I started breeding them and then founded a local bird club, which is now defunct. Over the years, I’ve lectured at numerous bird clubs, as well as Cornell University, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Monroe Community College, Roberts Wesleyan College, various schools, the Humane Society, BOCES, Seneca Park Zoo, and the Rochester Museum and Science Center.

I’ve written articles about bird keeping, breeding, and behavior for several avian publications. My photographs have appeared in trade magazines, and I’ve traveled to numerous avian conventions, including some as far away as the Canary Islands.

I’ve appeared on plenty of television programs, although I like to say I have a face for radio. I’ve participated in grand openings, rented birds for movies, and provided birds for advertising and special events. I’ve advertised for Kodak with both birds and a dog, and for Xerox, along with other projects and events.

Wait—there’s more? It can’t be. But there is.

I’m a Certified Avian Specialist and a member of IAATE, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Seneca Park Zoo, the American Federation of Aviculture, and probably a couple of other organizations I’ve forgotten to mention. I’m also currently an advisor to an industry trade magazine.

Whoa. This is starting to sound kinda geeklike.

This website is smartphone-friendly, but here’s one of my pet peeves: someone calls the store for directions, I explain everything—turn here, get off here, go this far—and then I hear, “Could you give me that again?” Or, “How far was that?” So, I tell them. Then comes, “Hmm, maybe I ought to write this down. Can you give them to me one more time?”

Listen, if you’re calling for directions, have a pencil and a piece of paper ready!

Now, on with the directions.

If you want to visit Birds Unlimited, we’ll get you here. Hopefully, these directions give you an accurate description of how to reach our store. If you’re coming from out of town, you won’t even need to call. Print them out, hop in your car, gas up, and go. Vroom.

And when you’re getting close, look for the big red parrot in the front yard!