Checking out the new visitors and looking for some love and attention |
This Blue-and-yellow Macaw, taken from the wild, has the right idea as he swings near the misters on this very hot day |
Today's topic is a sensitive one for bird owners and birders. I had put up my photo essay on Facebook and had all kinds of responses. Obviously, it's different for each person and I would encourage you to add your opinions to the comments section below. This is just my opinion backed up by years of living with parrots and caring for them. It is one of the contributing factors today as to why I love birding so much. Today my parents still live with two Macaws and an African Grey. This post was inspired after our trip to the sanctuary. After seeing all the abandoned birds, watching several TV specials, reading reports, living the breeding captive parrot experience, and visiting with border patrol agents and other sanctuaries, I am ready to share my commentary on this uncomfortable topic.
A Cockatiel decides to pick out my grey hairs and speed up that ever expanding bald spot |
An Amazon parrot is very intelligent and has the ability to mimic human voice |
My first documentation of Scarlet Macaws in the wild. Note how they fly in pairs. When one dies, the other will fly alone but stay with the flock. Taken in Costa Rica |
Budgerigar |
Today, I like to stop at various sanctuaries while visiting other countries for several reasons. One, I like to get the first hand reports/stories about why the animals/birds are there. Second, I don't mind giving a donation if it will help the organization out. And finally, it also allows me to study the wildlife up close. Who doesn't want to get close to a Spider Monkey or a Black Lory?
Lesser Cockatoo |
There is something very powerful and real about connecting with our wildlife. I am much more aware of the issues going on with illegal poaching, etc. I can read about it in a newspaper safely from my home or I can actually see the issues happening right in front of my face. In Southern Arizona along the US/Mexican border, birds, like parrots or eagles, are still smuggled across illegally. Often we tell US agents at the border about our birding treks in Sonora, Mexico.(because they generally ask us what we were doing down there) Then they share with us the stories about birds found on people crossing over to the US. An agent told us a story about a hawk hidden inside of a cardboard tube. They had to call in a local wildlife agency to deal with this very angry bird. By observing all this up close and personal, I feel something.
A younger me before bed with my love bird Quetzali |
Taken in 2011 in Boquete, Panama at a sanctuary. I love all critters....especially the ones with a little attitude:) |
Azul and my mother pose for a Christmas card many years ago. And many years later, Azul is a cover model for pet magazines. He resides with my parents in Wisconsin. |
What's going on over there? |
Several Monk parrots share a couple secrets with me |
I meet Ophelia, a Black Lory, and we fall in love. She gives the best kisses. |
A Cactus Wren recently seen at my feeders-a new one for my yard list |
So what's the answer to this issue? I don't know because it's very complicated. But you can educate yourself before adopting a parrot. For a visit to the Oasis, give them a ring at 520-212-4737. A 10 dollar donation is suggested. So what say you? Do you own a parrot? Or should parrots be left alone in the wild? Here is a link with some thoughts by Jane Goodall.
Several wild parrots are featured on Wild Bird Wednesday! A great place to see these birds in their natural habitat. More epic outings to come....
Qué divertidos y que bellos son.. Me encanta. Aquí en España tenemos una invasión de cotorras argentinas y cotorras de Kramer.. De alguna suelta se empezaron a reproducir y hoy en día la población ha crecido tanto que empieza a ser preocupante... Tenemos miles de cotorras por parques y jardines.. Un saludo
ReplyDeleteHi Chris. I do have a little experience here (little being the operative word). Many years ago, my wife decided that she'd like a Budgerigar as a birthday present. We set it up with a cage in our living room. It wasn't long before we gave William the freedom to fly everywhere by leaving the cage door open but, amazingly, it always returned to its cage to sleep! After a year or so my wife decided that William needed a friend and so, one February 14, we got Valentine. They soon produced a solitary chick (Wol). Sadly the parents' inexperience meant that Wol grew with horizontally splayed legs. Wol used to fly and land in my cupped hands.
ReplyDeleteTo cut a long story short, we realized that Wol's needs meant we had to construct an aviary outside, and eventually, through natural breeding, we ended up with 23 Budgerigars.
My wife then found that she was having difficulties with an allergy and so the birds had to go. This was a very slow process as we decided that we'd let the years take their course and just ensure that there was no more breeding. It must have been about a further eight years before the last one left us (one of the two Blues Brothers) and that last couple of years, when he was on his own, were heart-wrenching.
If we had our time over, would we do it again? We had great pleasure from them but the answer's a resounding NO!! Birds should be enjoyed in the wild.
The difficulty is - what of the birds that have been bred in captivity for decades or more, and the people for whom bird breeding is a livelihood?
Wow, they are all beautiful parrots.. I do believe wild birds should be left in the wild. If birds are born in captivity that maybe different..Happy Birding, Chris!
ReplyDeleteSuch dramatic colours!! Boom, Bobbi and Gary.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent post Chris! The photos are wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see the birds looking like that when you've seen them in the wild. I don't know why humans feel they have to own and cage/confine animals and birds when they could enjoy them in the wild.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that there is somewhere like this for "discarded" ones to be though.
Thank you everyone for your input. Richard, your outcome was the same for my parents. I would say that it was a great experience and I enjoyed being around the birds, but ultimately I don't think we'd ever do it again. I know my Dad wouldn't for sure:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Wanderer, I am also thankful for the sanctuaries. It was a reality check visiting this place. At least they have them together so that they can keep each other company. Eileen, most were captive breed.....probably adopted at birth and then when they got to be too much, given to the sanctuary. I'd say 80 percent were captive bred while the other 20 percent were taken from the wild. Very interesting how they all interacted together.
ReplyDeleteOf course "free of cage" and reading Jane Goudall can only help educate ourselves about animals in general.
ReplyDeleteFeeders are nice too but don't help birds to provide for themselves so only when the weather conditions are bad.
Ive never kept birds, so i can't speak from personal experience, but one of the ladies i work with used to keep parrots personally and worked for a zoo. People don't seem to understand that some of these birds are a lifetime commitment... what sounds like a good idea when you're in your 20s isn't going to be workable later in your life. I do love the creatures tho, but i believe they're better off left in the wild.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful entry. I don't think any other animal represents freedom the way a bird does. It's not mean to be in a cage. I believe they should be free.
ReplyDeleteIve never kept birds, so i can't speak from personal experience, but one of the ladies i work with used to keep parrots personally and worked for a zoo. People don't seem to understand that some of these birds are a lifetime commitment... what sounds like a good idea when you're in your 20s isn't going to be workable later in your life. I do love the creatures tho, but i believe they're better off left in the wild.
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful pictures of very beautiful animals Chris.I am with you.
ReplyDeleteIf people want to experience birds up close then they should make the effort to learn birding, banding or bird photography. Or all three.
It is surely better than taking birds from the wild or encouraging others to do so by having even birds reared in captivity.
Beautiful photos Chris and another thought provoking post. I would much rather see birds in the wild and don't like to see them captive unless for any reason they can't be re-released due to injury etc.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent and informative post. It's nice to know about the sanctuary, but so sad to hear of the many birds in need.
ReplyDeleteImportant info people need to know if they have these birds. Love the photos of all the different ones.
ReplyDeleteChris, gorgeous photos and a cautionary tail. You already know I would rather see birds in the wild.
ReplyDeleteBTW, you look like your mother.
and...those glasses you had when you were younger were hideous! I would never have recognized you!