West Coast Tropical Bird Studio

If you’re into tropical birds than this is the best place to go in the city. You can get all your supplies here and deal with expert people. Well stocked store and addition for bird lovers out there.

Ask a parrot about this store, and he’ll probably quote Humphrey Bogart from that famous bird movie, The Maltese Falcon.
«It’s the stuff dreams are made of.»
Indeed, there is not much that a parrot needs that cannot be found in this store. Toys? They got ‘em by the truckload. Cages? A wide variety is available here. Food? They stock most brands of parrot food — plus a few speciality items not found elsewhere for your bird’s dining pleasure (like organic walnuts much better than any you’ll find in a grocery store).
They even have gifts for humans… such as bird T-​shirts and calendars, to name but a few.
I’ve been a regular customer since moving to Vancouver in 2003. And while I do patronize other pet stores, this is still my main go-​to location for bird toys.
The main reason I still buy from other pet stores is location; West Coast is a long haul from where I live, 90-​minutes, round trip. That, plus one of my main food purchases — Hagen Tropican pellets — is not sold there. My one African grey was weaned on them and will NOT eat any other type of pellet. (That should come as no surprise to anyone who lives with a CAG!)
Some of their toys can be expensive — but they often have really good sales, and you can pick up plenty of good stuff during these times.
So when it’s time for a real toy-​run for my boys (Nikki, Coco and Einstein), I head over to West Coast Tropical.
Their variety of bird toys is unmatched at any other retail pet outlet in the Lower Mainland. Parrot lovers and keepers themselves, owners Eric and Vicki, can also provide plenty of advice to customers.
The store is also right next door to Dr. Ann McDonald’s Night Owl Bird Hospital, Vancouver’s one avian-​only veterinary clinic. Very handy.
And last, but certainly not least, the store supports local avian rescue organizations.
So if someone says, West Coast Tropical Birds is «for the birds» — they’re right. And as Martha Stewart would say, «And that’s a good thing.»

I have bought a lot of items here for my birds. I even bought a large cage that had to be delivered. I was very disappointed that delivery and tax was an extra $ 50.
The staff has always been friendly and helpful although I think one of the ladies is mentally handicapped but she was great with us. They have a good variety of items and I like that they are right next to a certified avian vet.
I realized since moving to Vancouver that parrot items are a niche market and difficult to find. If you do find items, they are expensive. I have since found other methods of getting my parrot food but I do like to stop in here occasionally for certain items.
On a few occasions they have told me things I know to be untrue but I just nod and keep shopping. For the most part though, the staff is very knowledgeable and I appreciate their dedication to parrot education and stewardship. I would prefer to shop at a place that at least knows about the different types of parrots than one that doesn’t even know what the one they have in the window is called.
On a side note, overly experienced parrot people will always try to tell you what is good and bad as most of them are very opinionated. Take it with a grain of salt and do your own research.

Westcoast Tropical Bird Studio is definitely a wonderland for many bird owners and lovers. I’m definitely not a bird food expert, but contrary to what D.C. posted, I have a feeling the food they sell are good quality. I used to buy seeds from other normal pet stores, and the seeds give off a funny smell. The seeds and pellets I got from Westcoast Tropical don’t have that weird smell, and I was told to keep it in the fridge (just the seeds), so I have a feeling they’re pretty fresh. The brands that they sell are usually quite reputable and are well loved by other avid bird owners.
They have a good range of bird products and lots of toys. A lot of their toys are overpriced. I’m not sure if there are any other reasonably priced bird stores in Vancouver, but for what they’re selling, I feel that it’s still a bit too expensive… It doesn’t stop me from going because I want to be careful with what I buy and make sure I’m giving my pet bird-​safe toys… but that’s only because I have no other alternative.
I do agree with D.C. that the owners and staff at Westcoast Tropical Bird Studio are often rude and unpleasant. A few times, they gave me an impression that whatever I have at home is crap if it wasn’t purchased from their store. And if I don’t purchase what they recommended, they also suggest (either by what they say, or their expressions) that I’m being a bad bird owner. I’m surprised at the quality of customer service here, because usually I would expect specialty stores to be very passionate about the things they sell, and very keen on good customer service. I hope they eventually hire better, more pleasant sales people or change their attitude or else it will definitely affect their business.
Overall, I would say — good products, bad customer service and high prices. But if you’re someone who can afford the money and be safe with what you’re giving your bird, I’d say this is the place to go to. I gave it 3 stars because I still am a customer and have no where else to go to for my birdy needs.

This store caters to people with parrots in their lives. There is a really good variety of cages, traveling kits, dishes, food and toys, and the staff (family run) is a font of knowledge.
Actually, a few times my shopping excursions have been extended by 20 or 30 minutes as the woman running the place gives me the low-​down on my parrot-​related questions. I think she really lives for this species, and from her stories it seems they have many rescued parrots they care for at their home.
I always felt good about purchasing items here because the staff was stringent on getting only bird-​safe items and fresh food…
Believe it or not there are many bird-​targeted products on the market that are actually toxic or dangerous to birds. You can find them at low budget or unscrupulous pet stores everywhere! For example: galvanized cages, toys that can wound or strangle a bird, cheap paint on chew toys or cages, dishes that leach toxins, and low-​grade seed with no food value — think the «budgie mix» you see in Zellers or Safeway… yikes, I hope no budgies out there are really being fed that nonsense! If so, please go to the bird studio at once and pick up some decent pellets, millet and fresh seeds! (I bet your budgie would like a little fruit and salad too but I digress…)
One last thing…
I just looked over what Simon said in his review, and I wanted to clarify that the owners of this store are actually huge advocates of parrot welfare and well-​being and don’t encourage the classic «keep your bird in his cage FOREVAH!“mentality — –that is one reason why I always went out of my way to shop there.
Unlike your typical pet store, they put parrots before profit and will help newbies or the uninformed make the best choices on keeping their feathered friend happy & healthy. They do not even sell parrots in their store because there are so many unwanted birds being given up to sanctuaries and shelters like Greyhaven.

Pet owners love their specialty stores, and Tropical Birds caters to the particular type of person who decides that they want a small colorful creature in their lives who isn’t allowed out of a cage. Actually the most telling aspect of the store that may reflect what bird-​owners are like is a large rack of postcards covered in water-​colored fairies, proving that bird raising is truly a lifestyle in itself.
But if you’re among the ranks, this store has everything you’ll need, from creative jungle gyms that cost anywhere between $ 200 to $ 900, to huge pounds of birdfeed at $ 12 a sack. There are also the cutesy bird toys with mirrors that can alleviate your bird’s loneliness, and woolen carrying cases whose darkness make your bird think its time to sleep while being transported. The shelves of bird paraphernalia stretch out in a labyrinth of items that will somehow become useful to someone with a small bird.
On top of it all is the great location of this store, right on Broadway and «coincidentally» situated right beside a bird treatment center for injured or sick birds.