Your Basic Bird Introduce
For bird enthusiasts and dedicated avian companions across California, finding a truly specialized pet store that understands the unique nuances of bird care is a treasure. Unlike general pet shops that might offer a limited selection, a dedicated bird store provides the expertise, environment, and specific products essential for the well-being of feathered friends. This article introduces you to Your Basic Bird, a long-standing and highly regarded avian haven located right here in Berkeley, California. With a deep passion for birds spanning decades, Your Basic Bird is committed to offering not only a wide array of happy, healthy birds but also comprehensive supplies and invaluable guidance for California's vibrant bird-loving community.
Your Basic Bird, under the dedicated care of owners Claudia and Bob since 1981, has grown from a hobby into a beloved local institution. They understand that birds are intelligent, social creatures that thrive with proper care, enrichment, and attention. For California residents looking to welcome a new feathered family member or seeking reliable support for their existing birds, Your Basic Bird offers a unique and personal experience. Their focus on hand-feeding young birds results in exceptionally friendly and well-adjusted companions, and their extensive knowledge base ensures that every customer leaves feeling confident and well-equipped to provide the best possible care for their avian pets. It's a place where passion and expertise truly take flight.
Your Basic Bird is conveniently located at 2940 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA. This address places it in the charming Elmwood District of Berkeley, a vibrant neighborhood known for its local businesses and welcoming atmosphere. For California residents throughout the East Bay and beyond, this location offers excellent accessibility. College Avenue is a well-known thoroughfare, making it straightforward to find, whether you're traveling from Oakland, Emeryville, or other nearby communities.
The Elmwood District is generally pedestrian-friendly, and while street parking might require some searching, it's typically available in the area. The location allows for a pleasant visit, perhaps combined with other errands or enjoying the local cafes. For those utilizing public transport, AC Transit bus lines serve the area, and it's not far from Rockridge BART station, enhancing its accessibility for a broader range of California customers. The ease of reaching Your Basic Bird solidifies its role as a key local resource for the dedicated avian community in California, ensuring that specialized bird care and supplies are always within convenient reach.
Your Basic Bird operates with consistent hours to accommodate its customers: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. These hours provide ample opportunity for California bird enthusiasts to visit, shop, or utilize their services.
Your Basic Bird offers a comprehensive range of products and specialized services tailored specifically to the needs of birds, making it a valuable resource for California avian enthusiasts.
Hand-Fed Companion Birds for Sale: The store specializes in offering a wide selection of hand-fed baby birds, known for being very friendly and well-socialized. This includes popular species such as budgies (parakeets), various conures (like green cheeks), cockatiels, lovebirds, finches (including society finches), canaries, and a diverse range of parrots including African Greys, Amazons, Caiques, Eclectus, Macaws, Pionus, and Quakers. This direct, hands-on approach from a young age ensures the birds are accustomed to human interaction, making them ideal companions.
Extensive Bird Supplies and Accessories: Your Basic Bird provides a full line of products for avian care. This includes a vast selection of bird food (pellets, seeds, mixed produce), cages, perches (including natural wood options), ladders, swings, and an abundance of engaging bird toys for enrichment. They ensure that their displays and products cater to the specific needs of different bird species.
Bird Boarding Services: For bird owners needing a trusted place for their pets during travel or absence, Your Basic Bird offers boarding services. They focus on making the bird's stay stress-free, with diligent care that includes visual inspections of cages, regular cleaning and refilling of food and water dishes (twice daily), provision of mixed produce, and daily changing of cage papers/substrates. Customers are encouraged to bring their bird's favorite toys for comfort. Note: Advance booking is recommended, especially for holidays, and specific health information is required.
Avian Grooming Services: They provide professional grooming for various bird species, including finches, canaries, parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, conures, African Greys, Amazons, Macaws, and cockatoos. Services typically include wing trims, nail trims, and beak trims, performed with care and expertise.
Expert Advice and Consultation: The staff, particularly owner Claudia, is highly knowledgeable and takes significant time to discuss bird care, handling techniques, travel setups, and cage selection with customers. They provide valuable guidance for both first-time owners and experienced bird parents, helping to solve problems and ensure optimal pet health.
Limited Dog, Cat & Small Animal Supplies: While primarily focused on birds, Your Basic Bird also offers a selection of supplies for dogs, cats, and other small companion animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and hamsters, making it a convenient stop for multi-pet households.
Your Basic Bird stands out as a premier avian resource in California, characterized by several key features and highlights that consistently receive glowing praise from its customers.
Exceptionally Friendly and Hand-Fed Birds: A predominant highlight is the quality of the birds themselves. Customers consistently describe the birds as "very sweet," "super friendly," and "well-adjusted" due to being "hand-fed since young." This early socialization results in companions that are comfortable with human interaction, making for delightful pets.
Deep Expertise and Personalized Guidance: Owner Claudia and her staff are frequently lauded for being "very helpful and knowledgeable." They dedicate "so much time" to discussing care, handling, and setup, especially with first-time owners. This personalized, in-depth consultation is invaluable, alleviating anxieties and ensuring customers are well-prepared for pet ownership.
Clean and Well-Maintained Environment: Despite online debates (which appear to be unfounded based on current positive reviews), customers who visit the store note that it is "clean" and that bird cages and stands are well-maintained with fresh food and water. This indicates a commitment to the birds' health and a pleasant shopping environment.
Abundance of Enrichment and Toys: Unlike some pet stores, Your Basic Bird ensures their birds are "given a lot of toys." This focus on providing stimulating environments is crucial for avian well-being and demonstrates their understanding of bird psychology.
Comprehensive Bird-Specific Inventory: The store offers a vast selection of "pretty much anything you need for your parrot" and other birds, including healthy pellets, specific parrot food like 'chop,' and high-quality accessories, making it a true one-stop shop for avian needs.
Long-Standing Reputation and Passion: With owners who turned their bird hobby into a business in 1981, Your Basic Bird boasts decades of experience and a genuine passion for these creatures. This enduring dedication to learning and providing for birds instills confidence in customers that they are dealing with true experts.
Successful Customer Outcomes: Testimonials, such as the customer who traveled from Utah for their budgies, underscore the store's success in providing healthy, happy birds that quickly integrate into their new homes. This speaks volumes about their care practices and customer support.
For inquiries regarding bird availability, supplies, boarding, grooming appointments, or expert advice, you can contact Your Basic Bird using the following information:
Address: 2940 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
Phone: (510) 841-7617
Mobile Phone: +1 510-841-7617
Business Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
For California locals, especially those in the Bay Area, Your Basic Bird is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for anyone involved with avian companions. Its deep specialization in birds means that customers benefit from a level of expertise and a tailored inventory that general pet stores simply cannot match. The store's decades of experience, combined with the owners' evident passion, translate into a trusted source for healthy, hand-fed birds that are already well-socialized and ready to bond with their new families. This is a critical factor for new and experienced bird owners alike.
The comprehensive range of services, including professional grooming and meticulously cared-for boarding, provides invaluable support for busy California pet parents. Furthermore, the commitment to providing extensive enrichment (lots of toys) and maintaining a clean environment ensures the well-being of all birds on premises. Beyond the products, the most significant advantage for locals is the personalized, expert advice from staff like Claudia, who takes the time to educate and reassure customers. Choosing Your Basic Bird means more than just a transaction; it means joining a community that prioritizes responsible avian care, making it an indispensable resource for fostering happy and thriving feathered friends throughout California.
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Your Basic Bird Location
Your Basic Bird
2940 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA
Your Basic Bird Reviews
We bought a bird here and they are kept in great condition, the birds are hand fed since young and very friendly because of this. The staff are also exceptional, they are very kind and let me pet a parrot on it's head, no bites just scritches. RECOMMENDED
May 15, 2025 · Sarah MaysWow, I can't say enough about what a great experience it was buying my two baby, hand fed, budgies from Claudia. As a first time owner, traveling from Utah to pick these birds up, I have to admit I was feeling nervous and a little overwhelmed. Claudia took so much time, discussing care with me, working with me to get used to handling the them, planning the travel setup, helping me pick out the right cage over email, etc, etc... it was amazing and the birds made it safely and are happy in their new home.Thank you so much Claudia! I 100% recommend Your Basic Bird and traveling to get them from you was definitely worth it and the right decision.
Jun 05, 2025 · Steve SalazarWonderful pet store. Kind knowledgeable staff.They raise many of the birds from eggs or hatchlings
Apr 16, 2025 · Drew DetschThey were rude, and the staff isn't aware of their prices nor the breed of their birds, and I had to laugh because all they kept saying is oh they cost a lot
Apr 22, 2025 · Jeannie WhiteBrought my son here this morning for his birthday and the staff was beyond rude. We walked in and were given a dirty look and not greeted at all. I asked a question and was responded to in one word and no explanation saying give us a few to handle something and we will be with you. I asked if we were bothering them and was told they were too busy to help us. I'm a very patient and understanding person, but these two gentlemen were rude. I have never been treated this way in a store.
Oct 26, 2024 · Christa Leonard
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