Some patrons find feathered friends at Exotic Bird Fair

Birds of many colors are showing their feathers in Aiken.

The 2009 Fall Exotic Bird Fair and Sale continues at the Aiken Fairgrounds. The fair is being held inside at the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today.

Blue-and-gold macaws, parrots, parakeets, finches, crested cockatoos, spectacled Amazons and many more birds fill the air with their bright colors and chirping sounds.

This is the first year the Exotic Bird Fair has been held twice in Aiken in one year, but organizers felt the timing was right for two shows. In the past, the Aiken show stands as one of the most successful.

The fair is open to anyone from the curious to the serious and offers a chance to view exotic birds of all sizes, colors and breeds up close.

Among the 30 vendors on site, much of what you would need to care for an exotic bird is on hand from seed, pellets, treats, cages and toys to educational supplies and baby bird supplies.

Throughout the two days, attendees can buy, sell or trade and many people have found new feathered friends. Aiken resident Duker Le Duc purchased a female Rosie Borke to breed with one he already owned. He barely had time to drop his new bird off at home before he turned around and headed back to the Exotic Bird Fair to find another bird.

Laurie Jenkins found a yellow crown American to accompany her eclectus parrot.

"I was told before I left the house today not to bring home any birds," Jenkins said with a laugh as she opened the cage to show off her new friend. "I think his name will be Wasabi."

Though the majority of the birds are in cages at the Exotic Bird Fair, some are loose. Eric Goodman was simply walking by when a beautiful white bird decided they should be friends and hopped on his shoulder. He didn't seem to mind.

"When a bird picks you, you have to buy it," joked the bird's owner, Robert Dossey.

Admission to the Exotic Bird Fair is $5 per adult and children 12 and under are free. The Aiken Fairgrounds is located at 1566 Columbia Highway N.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.