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National Bird Day: January 5, 2008



Scarlet macaw (Ara macao) flying through a forest in Costa RicaIn order to draw attention to the exploitation of other countries’ native birds by the pet industry in the United States and to call on activists to take action on behalf of captive birds, National Bird Day (January 5) has been instituted by two United States organizations: Born Free USA United with Animal Protection Institute (the union of two recently united animal protection groups) and the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC). These organizations seek as well to educate the public about the difficulty of being a good caretaker of pet birds, the damage done to wild bird populations by the pet industry, and the importance of keeping birds wild. This week, to mark National Bird Day, Advocacy for Animals presents an article, written by bird expert Monica Engebretson of Born Free USA, on the effects of captivity on exotic birds.

Wild at Heart

Lovebirds (Agapornis personata)Whether captive bred or wild caught, birds are not domesticated animals. Domestic animals are animals that have been bred for hundreds of years to live in the care of humans and are distinct from their wild ancestors. Birds commonly kept as pets are no different than their wild relatives—they are the native species of other countries.

Those who acquire birds as companion animals soon discover that parrots, including lovebirds, budgies (parakeets), and cockatiels, are noisy and messy, and they can be destructive. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of any parrot’s social communication; birds eat continually throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere; birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew electrical cords, paper, and curtains.

Parrots are also extremely intelligent and social—they have been compared to human toddlers in the needs of their emotional and social lives, but, unlike children, they never grow up. Birds are meant to fly and to be with other birds. Confinement in cages can lead to neurotic behavior, excessive screaming, feather plucking, self-mutilation and other destructive habits. As a result, very few people are capable of caring for the special needs of exotic birds or comprehend the seriousness of the commitment for the birds’ life span—20 to 70 years or more depending on species.

Each year thousands of birds are sold into the pet trade to individuals who are under the mistaken impression that a bird will make a “cool” pet. Eventually, whether due to frustration, disinterest, or concern, many people attempt to rid themselves of the responsibility of caring for their birds. Unfortunately, few of these birds will find a loving home, and most will spend their days isolated and confined to their cages. Others will bounce from home to home as “owners” tire of them, and some may be abandoned at local shelters and birds rescues, or set free to fend for themselves.

How Many Caged Birds?

According to a 1998 article printed in the Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association deemed the most extensive demographic study of pet birds conducted to that date, the US pet bird population has been estimated between 35 million and 40 million. While this estimate of “pet” birds is lower than estimates for companion dogs and cats, the population of dogs and cats has remained relatively stable over time while “pet” bird populations have skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), there were 60.8 million cats in 1990 and 66.15 million in 1996, with dogs numbering 52.1 million and 58.2 million respectively. According to the same industry document, there were 11.6 million “pet” birds in 1990, and by 1996 there were 40 million—a 244.8% increase!

The growing problem of unwanted exotic birds is very much a hidden crisis because most humane societies do not accept birds, and unlike abandoned cats and dogs, abandoned birds generally do not roam the streets as strays or establish feral colonies.

MacawCaptive Breeding

One of the most common assertions made by breeders is that captive breeding is necessary to keep parrots from becoming endangered. Breeding parrots in captivity is not going to save the species in the wild. Most birds are bred outside of an official conservation program, as such the vast majority of birds bred in captivity are bred for purely commercial purposes. Captive breeding fails to address the leading causes of wild bird population decline: habitat loss, pollution, and the pet trade. Moreover, captive release programs are nonexistent for most species and are largely unsuccessful in practice.

Breeding contributes to overpopulation since it results in breeding more baby birds for the pet trade. Breeding facilities often resemble nothing more than warehouses of birds for production purposes. Breeder birds are routinely placed with a mate in small cages with nothing more than water, food, and a nest box.

A misconception perpetuated by the bird industry is that only “baby birds” will bond with people. This is untrue. Building a nurturing relationship with a parrot begins when the bird learns to trust—no matter what his or her age. The main reason that the pet industry encourages hand-weaning is that taking “baby birds” from their parents encourages them to produce more young. Keeping young parrots with their parents slows production and is less profitable for breeders.

Many breeders and stores will sell unweaned baby birds, claiming that finishing the weaning process by the purchaser will “guarantee” a hand-tame bird. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that many birds who have not successfully completed weaning may not learn to eat on their own and can actually starve to death. Many baby birds die or suffer from physical injuries such as burned or punctured crops (stomachs) and infections from inexperienced hand-feeders. Unweaned chicks are sold because hand-feeding is labor intensive; it is far more profitable to sell the chicks quickly despite the risks to the young bird.

Homeless Birds

Since finding a qualified caretaker can be difficult and many bird rescues are overburdened with an influx of unwanted birds, those wishing to give up their birds are encouraged to consider other alternatives before making a final decision. Avian behaviorist or specialist, local bird club or avian rescues can be helpful in providing educational materials, advice, and referrals on bird care, housing, diet, behavior, and veterinary services. Sometimes a change in environment, diet, or behavior modification can make all the difference in creating a happier living situation for a bird and his or her caretaker.

If the reality is that care can no longer be provided, it is imperative that the bird is placed in a stable, responsible, and loving home. A hasty decision can result in the bird ending up in the wrong hands, or being bounced from home to home, or being neglected, abused, or abandoned.

If you must find a new home for a bird:

  • Do not place an ad in the newspaper or on the Internet. There are many unscrupulous people who look to buy or adopt free birds so they can turn around and sell them.
  • Write an agreement for the adopter to sign. If for any reason they don’t live up to their obligation, include a provision that the bird will be returned to you.
  • Never place a bird with a breeder or anyone who wants to breed birds. Ask for the assistance of an avian adoption service, local bird club, or avian rescue organization.

Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) with scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Peru
Sanctuaries and Rescues

There are currently over 90 self-described bird rescues or sanctuaries in the United States, many of which have come into existence in just the last few years. Some of these facilities are non-profit organizations, while others are merely caring individuals who have opened their homes to unwanted birds. Due to the large number of birds in need, most rescues or sanctuaries are unable to accept every bird they are offered. However, be wary of rescue organizations that will not accept smaller birds. They may simply be looking to acquire larger birds to sell or adopt out at higher fees. Before giving a bird to any rescue, check them out thoroughly. A true rescue organization does not profit from animals that have been rescued nor do they contribute to the overpopulation problem by breeding more birds for the pet market.


National Bird Day - January 5th

To Learn More

National Bird Day
Born Free USA United with Animal Protection Institute
Avian Welfare Coalition
Ten Fast Facts about Captive Birds
10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird
Captive Bird Rescue and Placement Organizations

How Can I Help?

    Never buy a bird from a pet store or breeder. If you feel you are qualified and prepared to provide lifetime care for a bird or birds, adopt from a bird rescue group or contact a local bird club or humane society to find a bird in need.

    Don’t patronize any store that sells birds or uses them for display. Let them know why you are taking your business elsewhere.

    If you see a bird who is being neglected or abused report it to your local humane organization or animal control agency; or contact the local law enforcement office or nearest humane agency.

    If you know of someone who has lost interest in their bird and/or is no longer providing good care, give them a copy of this fact sheet and help them to find a suitable home for their bird.

  • How to report bird abuse or neglect
  • Get involved in educating the public about captive-bird issues

One Response to “National Bird Day: January 5, 2008”

  1. Robert Says:

    In your article you wrote:

    “One of the most common assertions made by breeders is that captive breeding is necessary to keep parrots from becoming endangered. Breeding parrots in captivity is not going to save the species in the wild.”

    Captive breeding does indeed contribute to parrot conservation as it relieves pressure from wild populations to supply the pet trade. Captive breeding is self-sustaining and does not take from the wild. With some species that are highly endangered of becoming extinct in the wild there exist larger captively bred populations than in the wild, ex. Arizona’s Thick Billed Parrot. In some extreme cases the species is entirely extinct in the wild, ex. Spinx Macaw. If it were not for responsible breeders these birds would cease to exist altogether.

    You wrote:

    “Most birds are bred outside of an official conservation program, as such the vast majority of birds bred in captivity are bred for purely commercial purposes.

    There are many conservation programs that exist for many species of parrots. Though, there needs to be more. Many zoos, organizations, and private breeders belong to such cooperative breeding programs. There are many species of parrots that are poorly represented in captivity, as such, breeders need to and are participating in cooperative breeding programs to better propagate the species without inbreeding or taking further stock from the wild. There is absolutely nothing wrong with breeding parrots for commercial purposes. Acquiring breeding stock, housing, feeding, and medical care for captive raised parrots is expensive. Breeding parrots won’t make you rich. Parrots have been kept as pets for centuries, since Roman times. Even indigenous peoples recongnized parrots’s pet value. During the slave trade, some parrots were considered evern more valuable than human slaves. Due to parrots high intelligence, beauty, social personality, adaptablility they make great pets. Many of the same reasons that people keep dogs and cats as pets. It is unrealistic to deny parrots pet potential and monetary value. Parrots are not being bred for food purposes or as beast of burden. Owning a parrot is a luxuary and people are willing to pay for it. Parrots are considered exotic and beautiful and help people connect to nature. Many people overindulge their pet birds and their birds are very well care for. Parrots raised commercially are well cared for, is self sustaining, and relieves pressure from wild populations in supply the pet trade. Wild populations can then focus on increasing their numbers in the “wild”.

    You stated:
    Captive breeding fails to address the leading causes of wild bird population decline: habitat loss, pollution, and the pet trade. Moreover, captive release programs are nonexistent for most species and are largely unsuccessful in practice.”

    I agree with you in that captive breeding does not address the leading cause of population decline which is habitat loss, and human incroachment. Captive breeding is only but one part of the solution albeit an important one. It does releave pressure from wild populations to supply the pet trade. Though many attempts at breeding highly endangered parrots have proven successful it is unrealistic to expect to release domestically raised birds back into the wild. For starters there needs to be a habitat available to release the birds into. I don’t remember the exact percentages but its been stated that the human demands on parrots’s natural habitat for human consumption, lumber, fuel, farming, housing, etc.. is alarming. Millions of acres of virgin forest and habitat are destroyed every day for human use. Wild parrot populations cannot sustain themselves if their habitats continue to be destroyed. Conservation is a lot more complicated than just breeding and reintroducing birds back into the wild. There has to be a habitat that they can be released into. Wild population will continue to decline unless large tracts of land are set aside for conservation and left untouched.

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