what qualities do you look for when buying a 2nd hand bird. I have a nice lg grey that I am selling (very reasonably)and all everyone seems to care about is that he doesn't talk much for a grey.he's pretty nice other then that but has not been handled in yrs (bought from a bad situation and in the last yr or so- decided he should not be a breeder so removed him from the aviary to where I keep my pets. I have not handled him but I can feed and scratch him and my 3yo feeds him without a problem. I have to cut back on my birds so he needs a new home.
what qualitys do you place highest when getting a 2nd hand bird? mine would be is it aggressive? if not- I'm willing to give it a try.

Well from experience. Toby being a second or third hand bird.
Aggressivness towards people other pets including birds.
Any emotional or physical problems that the bird might have, Like feather picking.
Is he used to a loud or quiet household.
Is he used to kids, other animals, and such.
Talking ability doesn't mean a whole lot to me. Toby didn't talk when I first got him. He does now say pretty bird and silly bird, maybe not in the loudest or clearest voice. So with work even though the grey might not talk up a storm now with a bit of one on one, he may.

I'm glad someone agrees with me-I don't know why talking is so highly rated- everyone seems to think only babies learn to talk and I am having a hard time telling them as they get older they talk too.

Even with babies there is no guarentee that it will talk. The chances of the learning are greater, but an older bird can learn. If that was what I had based my looking for a senegal, then I wouldnt' have ended up with toby. Mind you there are somethings I wish I had known before hand. He is not the sweetest bird, he hates men and tolerates kids. He also thinks my hands are his personal toy if you catch my meaning. But in all its hard not to love the middle aged guy, when he rubs his beak on my check, all the while saying pretty bird, smooooooooooch.

temperment and personality. Talking means very little to me. I will say however that when I worked at the pet store (sold birds, reptiles and fish) that the talking birds moved out faster than did the really sweet ones. Another thing to consider is that greys are known for their talking skills. So someone in the market for a grey may put a larger value on this aspect. I think it depends on the individual buyer and what their values are. Be patient finding him the right home, you don't want him going to a home where he is an amusement rather than a valued family member. Good luck

I would ask about the birds diet, habbits etc. I would like to know how you handle him/her on a daily basis. I'd be utmost concerned about any destructive behaviors such as feather picking.
If the bird is on a good diet and good feather thats what is important.