Parrots: Animated by Nature
There are more than 300 species of
parrots worldwide, from the rainforests of South America and the islands of the
South Pacific and Caribbean to the deserts and grasslands of Australia and
Africa. Smaller species include budgies, cockatiels, and conures, while bigger
species include amazons, macaws, and cockatoos. Parrots are not domesticated
animals like cats and dogs, regardless of whether they are born in captivity or
are taken from the wild. Only a few generations have separated them from their
natural environments; at most, they are still untamed, wild animals.
In the wild, parrots can travel great distances every day in flocks. They
socialize, communicate, bathe, preen, create nesting territories, mate, dig
nests, spend hours foraging for a range of natural foods, and raise their
young.
Even in the best situations—a home with lots of physical activity, toys and
objects to chew on, a healthy diet, and human company—captivity life is still
very different from the life that parrots evolved to lead in their natural
environments. Most of a captive parrot's life is spent in a cage, where
they are fed a repetitive, insufficient diet of prepared bird food. Many have
had their wings clipped to keep them "under control" and to
keep them from injuring themselves by flying into windows and walls, biting on
furniture, and getting into other dangerous situations.
As a result, many are unable to fly.
Not many are housed in colonies with other species.
Since parrots and other exotic birds are native to other nations, their innate
physiognomy and behavior are unaffected. Unfortunately, a necessary part of
keeping birds in captivity is denying them the ability to fly and flock, among
other natural behaviors.
When parrots reach adulthood, the limitations placed on their innate drive to
fly, feed, raise offspring, and interact with other birds within their own
species frequently show up as aggressive behavior, excessive screaming, biting,
feather plucking, or even self-mutilation. Due to the conflict between their
natural wants and behaviors and human expectations, many captive parrots, like
other wild "exotic pets," are mistreated, abandoned, or
displaced.
The
Difficulties of Keeping Parrots as Pets
Naturally, parrots in captivity remain wild. People may be tempted to retain
them in their homes by their inbuilt curiosity, sensitivity, intelligence,
playfulness, and capacity to create ties with people. Regrettably, the
characteristics that draw people to parrots also make them quite challenging to
keep as companion animals. Most humans are not able to realistically create an
environment that is consistent with a parrot's natural lifestyle, nor can they
handle the long-term demands and obligations of caring for an undomesticated
animal that is physically and psychologically accustomed to live in the wild.
Mate
Defense, Territoriality, and Aggression
In contrast to dogs and cats, parrots make it obvious who they want to develop
close relationships with. Even while you may adore your parrot, it's possible
that they won't always return the favor. Parrots are naughty and possessive.
They may act jealous of others and perceive them as intruders, even if they are
family members. As they reach sexual maturity, they frequently turn to violence
to defend their territory or to keep trespassers away from their spouse or
other human choice. Birds are prey animals, so it's normal for them to be wary
of strangers and defensive in unexpected environments.
Cries
and Social Requirements
In the wild, parrots use loud sounds to communicate with one another and to
stay in regular contact with other members of their flock. Birds need hours of
daily social engagement with both their human companions and other birds to
prevent separation anxiety, which can lead to behavioral issues in a caged
setting. Quiet, self-sufficient parrots do not exist!
Inability
to Have Fun
People who watch professionally trained bird shows may come to think of parrots
as decorative and entertaining animals, and they may also assume that their
behaviour at home will be similar. Unfortunately, parrots' ability to speak
human language has also turned into a curse. Simply put, a lot of parrots never
learn to talk or decide to do adorable antics.
Retreating
and Take offering
Fledging, the process of a parrot leaving the nest to learn to fly, locate
food, build social relationships, and avoid predators by following their
parents, is one of the most important times in a parrot's life. Early wing
cutting can impede this physiological and psychological development, making
birds more vulnerable to behavioral and health issues. No bird is supposed to
be imprisoned and prevented from flying, not even as an adult. Birds suffer
when they don't get this essential mental and physical exercise since every
system in their bodies has evolved for efficient flying. Ill health, neurotic behavior,
excessive screaming, feather plucking, self-mutilation, obesity, and other
damaging behaviors can result from cage confinement.
Destructive
Biting
The beak of a parrot is comparable to human hands. Birds use their beaks for a
multitude of survival-related purposes. They feel and grasp objects with their
beaks, consume, and preen. They employ them for defensive and combative actions
as well. Macaws and cockatoos have strong enough beaks in the wild to break
through tree branches and burrow nests in tree trunks; their beaks are no less
strong when kept in captivity. Because they are unable to distinguish between a
licensed bird toy and the woodwork of a house, parrots can cause significant
harm if they are not under close supervision or confinement.
Complex
Nutrition
In the wild, parrots spend a lot of time searching for food, which varies
greatly according on the season. Feeding a parrot is not the same as feeding a
dog or cat because of the unique tastes, nutritional requirements, and social
and tactile aspects of eating. Buying, preparing, and serving a range of
fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, and pellets as well as "people
foods" like rice, pasta, and beans takes daily commitment. In the wild,
parents teach their young parrots what to eat, where to find it, when to eat
it, and how to eat it. If ethical carers are not able to teach parrots raised
by their parents to recognize and accept a varied diet, the birds will become
malnourished. Often, this is an impossible or very difficult task.
Disarray
and Hygiene
Parrots are untidy animals. They scatter food scraps, feathers, garbage, and
other detritus to the ground in their native environments. Since they can
afford to be sloppy and seldom pick up after themselves, they lack the innate
sense to maintain order in their environment while they are out in the wild.
When the flock goes on, the debris falls to the ground, out of reach, and is
left for nature's cleanup staff. In the wild, this would work well for
sanitation, but not in a cage. They treat the carpet in your house like it's
the forest floor. The continual mess of food scraps, feathers, droppings, and
torn toys within and outside the cage can easily get unpleasant and unhygienic.
Hazards
of Common Home Products
Birds' respiratory structure and physiology, which have developed to meet
flight requirements, have left them extremely sensitive to items that would
normally be regarded as safe for cats and dogs. Numerous cleaning supplies for
the home, personal hygiene items, candles, incense, air fresheners, building
supplies, paints, glues, plants, food items, and particularly harmful gases
released by non-stick coated cookware, self-cleaning ovens, irons, and heaters
are among them. Those who coexist with birds need to use extreme caution while
selecting things for their homes.
Durability
In captivity, several larger species of parrots have an 80-year lifespan.
Taking care of parrots is a lifetime commitment, akin to dedicating your entire
life to raising a child with special needs. Because large parrots might outlast
their carers, or at least the capacity of those carers to meet their needs,
large parrots may require a lifetime commitment from multiple persons.
Birds Are Going
To Be Birds
In actuality, not all parrots are tame, not all prefer to form bonds with
humans, and not all choose to entertain and satisfy people when given commands.
All parrots do, however, bite, scream, chew, create messes, and want constant
attention and engagement. There is a misunderstanding surrounding terms like
"hand-tame," "hand-raised," "hand-fed," and
"domestically bred." They frequently deceive ignorant customers into
believing they are purchasing a loving, well-mannered, docile, and non-biting
companion animal.
What
Takes Place If We Oppose Nature?
Parrots, like other exotic, wild animals, typically fall short of most people's
expectations as companion animals because of how their innate
needs, instincts, and behaviors diverge from our own. Misinformation in mass
marketing, production breeding, and the popularity and accessibility of exotic
pets in our nation are pushing an increasing number of ill-prepared individuals
to buy birds on a whim. Many get disillusioned with parrots and wish to absolve
themselves of the duty of taking care of them when they fall short of their
expectations. As a result, there is an increasing number of birds entering the
pet trade only to be mislabeled, mistreated, neglected, and abandoned.
An increasing number of organizations dedicated to bird rescue, adoption, and
sanctuary work to provide care for the parrots that former owners abandoned
because they were ill-equipped to handle the long-term care that comes with
having an unhousebroken, long-lived pet.
Additionally, they are trying to
slow down the number of birds entering an already crowded market by informing
prospective "parrot people" about the realities of coexisting with a
parrot before they decide to have one. These organizations also support and
enable the adoption of elderly parrots into competent, well-prepared, loving
families or, in certain circumstances involving health or behaviour, into
sanctuaries where they can live out their lives according to their own terms,
in an effort to aid the homeless parrots currently in the system.
Similar to other exotic animals, captive parrots exhibit numerous
characteristics and requirements that are essential for their survival in their
natural environments but are not seen as desirable "pet qualities" in
the majority of homes. Regretfully, the general public is still unaware of the
reality and challenges associated with coexisting with parrots. Breeders will
obediently supply the ignorant market with birds that, regrettably, will
frequently end up neglected or discarded as long as an uneducated demand
persists.
But as the demand declines, the supply will as well! We hope that by educating
the public about the true nature of parrots, those who are not experienced with
them will be forced to reconsider their decision to bring a bird into their
home. The only people who should think about giving a parrot a home are those
who fully know that they are wild animals and who are able to match their high
standards. Only then will the desire for "impulse purchased" newborn
parrots in the pet market decline, the problem of homeless birds will end, and
all parrots maintained in captivity will receive the appropriate care and
recognition as the wild animals that they are.
One Last
Remark
Birds kept in captivity cannot be released to fend for themselves or returned
to the wild because they lack the acquired abilities needed to survive. As a
result, it is our moral obligation to give captives the finest treatment
possible.
The same legal protections and sanctuary for individuals harmed by
mistreatment, disregard, or eviction, as are extended to domestic pets and other wild animals, should also apply to parrots and other exotic birds. In order to
safeguard and maintain exotic birds in their native habitats, international
collaboration and conservation initiatives are also required.
Better yet, let us keep in mind that foreign native birds also belong in the
outdoors, not inside our houses, just as we value our own native wild birds
soaring freely outside our windows.