SWAP MEET SALES: Business is for the birds

Feathered friends a franchise for woman

Caring for baby birds is a full-time challenge for Centennial Hills-area resident Shawn Gallagher.

The local woman raises African birds in her home. But in her shop, Gallagher's Exotic Birds, in the back of the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet, 1717 S. Decatur Blvd., she sells a wide variety of birds, ranging from common parakeets to the rare blue-throated macaw.

Gallagher's shop is open Friday through Sunday. She said that leaves her plenty of time at home with the fledglings. And the birds demand it.

Keeping baby birds hand-fed is a full-time job. While some only eat three times a day, many of the tiniest ones must be fed at least six times a day.

"They're just like babies," Gallagher said.

Their feeding frequency is similar to human infants and, as Gallagher explained it, so are many of their tastes.

Young birds start out on a hand-feeding mix combined with water served through an eye dropper. Then, just like human infants, after a few months, they graduate to more solid foods.

Gallagher said her birds have liked Gerber baby foods. Turkey and vegetable mixes are a perpetual hit.

"The protein in the turkey gives them a glossy shine. They like the protein in peanut butter, too," she said.

The breeder prefers to wean the birds and have them on solid foods before they go home with customers.

Gallagher said all the birds she sells are raised domestically by breeders she knows. Her primary breeder, and business partner, Carol Vine, brings in birds from Kingman, Ariz.

George Scott drives in from St. George, Utah, to deliver his hand-raised Quakers to Gallagher.

"Sure, there are other stores that are closer, but look at the services you get here," he said.

Services include free wing clipping with a $10 purchase.

"I could charge $10 to clip birds' wings, but I'd rather people just buy something. That way they can take something home for their bird instead of just paying to have the wings clipped," she said.

Gallagher stocks everything a bird lover could need, from cages and seed to toys and grooming supplies. Customers appreciate the selection, but more than that, they appreciate Gallagher.

Many of the shop owner's customers drop by just to visit while others volunteer time at the store.

North Las Vegas resident Mike Gawreluch brings his bird, Skittles, for frequent visits. The yellow, green and white bird hops out of his carrying cage, makes himself at home and entertains customers with little dances and tricks.

"He's the Bart Simpson of birds. He's very playful and he likes to hop around like a rabbit. He has tons of personality," Gawreluch said.

Because Skittles is Gawreluch's only bird, the bird owner is convinced the visits keep his pet accustomed to other birds.

Gawreluch isn't the shop's only constant visitor. Northwest Las Vegas resident Riddick Long has hung out at the shop so long she's frequently mistaken for an employee. But that's an easy mistake since she picks up phones, answers customer questions and assists people with purchases.

"But I don't really work here," she said.

Gallagher's work started out as play, too.

"It all came from wanting kids," she said. "I couldn't have children, so I got into birds. I got into breeding birds since I couldn't breed myself."

The breeder began 15 years ago with her first pair of birds, a set of African grey parrots.

"I still have their first baby, a female from the first hatch," Gallagher said.

After four years of raising birds, Gallagher and her husband, David, adopted a son.

"He's 11 years old now, we got him when he was only 2 weeks old," Gallagher said.

Adopting a child is a lifetime commitment, but as Gallagher explains it, so is taking on an exotic bird.

"It isn't about money to me. I try to get people to avoid impulse buys. I want them to read about the birds and know more before they buy one," Gallagher said. "I usually tell them the worst things that can happen and try to discourage them. When you buy a bird you're making a lifetime contract. These are not throw-away animals."


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