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Keeping Parrots as "Pets"
Our Position Whether captured in the wild or born in captivity, parrots are not domesticated animals like cats and dogs. They are still wild animals. Their natural curiosity, sensitivity, intellect, playfulness, and ability to form bonds with humans can tempt people to keep them in captivity. Unfortunately, the traits that make parrots so intriguing are the same ones that make them extremely difficult to live with as companion animals. Many parrots find themselves displaced as their natural behaviors and needs clash with human expectations. Before you buy or adopt a parrot, consider the following facts:
Educating yourself about parrots before bringing one into your life is crucial to solving the displaced parrot problem! Only people who thoroughly understand that parrots are wild animals and who can commit to meeting their demanding needs should consider providing a home for one. Only then will all parrots kept in captivity be properly cared for and appreciated for the wild animals they are, the pet market's demand for "impulse purchased" baby parrots will decrease, and the displaced bird epidemic will become a thing of the past. Recommended Reading
Recommended Articles Avian Welfare Issues: An Overview by Denise Kelly, Eileen McCarthy, Krista Menzel & Monica Engebretson A good home environment boots birds' morale by Rowan Hooper, NewScientist.com News Service, April 28, 2007, from Issue 2601 of New Scientist magazine, 28 April 2007, p. 15 Chlamydophila psittaci transmission from pet birds to humans by Vanrompay D, Harkinezhad T, van de Walle M, Beeckman D, van Droogenbroeck C, Verminnen K, et al. Available at the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Emerg Infect Disease Volume 13, Number 7 - July 2007 The Welfare and suitability of parrots as companion animals: a review By Monica Engebretson, the Animal Protection Institute, The Journal of Animal Welfare, published by Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) A Delightful, Awful Marriage to a Pet Parrot by Julie Zickefoose, a National Public Radio Broadcast Behavioural Problems in Companion Parrots by Greg Glendell, Veterinary Times (UK), February 18, 22008 Not doing enough for your parrot? Get creative by Karen Windsor, Foster Parrots, Ltd., PsittaScene, Vol 18, No 4, November 2006 Birds as Pets: What You Should Know by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Bye Bye Birdie: Parrots’ Demands Often Prompt Owners to Take Flight by Laura Lafay Exotic Birds Are Not Pets, Really by Morgan Henderson, originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer by Dr. Lorin Lindner & the Animal Protection Institute (API) More Beautiful Wild: Captive Birds by the Animal Protection Institute (API) Parrots and People…A Relationship of Conflict by Tami Myers and Mary Margison, The Beak Retreat Should Wild Animals Be Kept As Pets? by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird by Monica Engebretson, Animal Protection Institute (API) The Top 10 Reasons Birds Are Surrendered to MAARS by Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS) Treating Parrots As Birds, Not Mammals by Greg Glendell by Denise Kelly, Joan Rae & Krista Menzel by The True Parrot
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