Parrot Confidential documentary (Nature) on PBS Wed, Nov 13

[Beringia]

Rattling the Parrot Cage
Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society

Tue, Nov 12 2013




For thousands of years, parrots have been captured from the wild to be kept as pets. To millions of Americans who’ve never had a bird, it may seem little different than sharing a home with a dog or cat. But to the thousands of parrot sanctuary operators and private citizens with “rescue” birds, a wild parrot in a cage screams out for public discussion and re-examination.

These animals are difficult to handle, they are so long-lived that they typically outlive their owners, and their intelligence and emotional complexity may approach that of chimpanzees and dolphins. It is virtually impossible to give them a good life in most human settings. Parrots typically go through at least seven homes during their lives (which can extend past 80 years), with all of the feelings of trauma that accompany permanent separation from the people they’ve bonded with for years.

The documentary “Parrot Confidential” – which airs Wednesday night on PBS stations throughout the country – asks the public to re-envision parrots, and it questions the paradigm of captivity for these creatures. It’s our hope that “Parrot Confidential” does for the birds what “Blackfish” is now doing for orcas – delivering a wake-up message to a public not familiar with the hidden lives of creatures consigned to a life of captivity they were never meant for.

One of the easiest ways to get a sense of the captive parrot problem in this country is to take note of all the folks who have stepped up to fill the gap for abandoned, abused or neglected birds. After The HSUS helped ban the import of most wild-caught parrots in 1992, captive breeding surged, and “bird mills” developed, flooding the market with baby birds who, after reaching sexual maturity, can become a nightmare for unwitting owners. The next stop, after a cycle of unpredictable biting, screaming, and routine household messes, is relinquishment, and a swamping of the small network of parrot sanctuaries.

Matt Smith, executive director of The Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary (or Project Perry) knows the story all too well. He gets hundreds of requests every year for help from beleaguered pet owners, as do the dozens of other sanctuary operators devoted to their care. I wrote about Matt’s remarkable efforts and leadership in this area in my book, “The Bond.” His compact, heavily wooded property in Louisa, Va., is home to several hundred unwanted parrots who live in state-of-the-art, thoughtfully planned outdoor aviaries. The birds spend their days among members of their own species, with access to nutritious food and natural enrichment opportunities, and have room to spread their wings and fly. Their lives are as close to wild as might be possible in a human setting. Once Matt and his team found them, often after terribly traumatic lives, their fortunes turned dramatically for the better.

An unknown number of others around the country – certainly in the millions, perhaps the tens of millions – live lonely, frustrated lives because of the great paradox of parrots: their high intelligence and sociability have always endeared them to people. But these very traits, and a biology that intends them for a life on the wing, make them fundamentally unsuitable as pets.

With growing awareness and attention to the problem, we can – and must – come to the aid of these amazing creatures in a meaningful way. The most important thing is not to buy birds from pet stores or directly from the bird mills. By doing so, you perpetuate the worst elements of this industry, consign birds to a life of trauma and loss, and probably contribute to the financial burden placed on the humane community and its network of sanctuaries.

If you don’t believe me, watch “Parrot Confidential” this Wednesday. The stories and images are undeniable. Go to www.humanesociety.org/parrots to learn more.

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2013/11/rattling-the-parrot-cage.html


Printed with permission of HSUS

[Mojorabbit]

1. I have them and I agree with this assessment

I would never have adopted them now after learning so much about them and having them as companions. They are wonderful but should not be kept as pets.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. As I cuddle my Sun Conure

bred in captivity, we decided against replacing or getting another parrot after Tuky died because we do not want to be outlived. The two conures will have a single home, period.

[Mojorabbit]

3. I have a sun conure too, plus aftican grey, and an ancient 28 year old cockatiel. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Tuky lived to be 23, and I thought he was ancient

:hugs:

We considered an African. I just love the intelligence and witty personalities. But the bird would for sure outlive us. So after the two conures, Connie is the sun, she is 14 this year, and Cookie, who is in his twenties, pass, we are not getting any other parrot. I do not want to get outlived by them, I do not want that trauma on them.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

5. Thanks for the reminder...

I saw this promoted the other day on PBS and forgot all about it.

[Beringia]

9. You are welcome

I am glad I found out about this film too.

[angstlessk]

6. k&r I had no idea about these beautiful birds...will look forward to the PBS show.

What I learn on DU sometimes sometimes

[In_The_Wind]

7. As a parrot lover I don't recommend them as pets. My Blue & Gold Macaw is very attached to me.

She will outlive me.
BTW She whispers You're ok. She was hatched in the US. She's been with me since she was a baby in 2001.

[L0oniX]

8. As a caretaker of 4 parrots I am glad to help insure that they will coninue to exist...

in spite of all those who think they should just go die off from deforestation or loss of a sustainable habitat.

Blue Gold and Sever Macaw, African Grey and Solomon Island Eclectus. The Eclectus sleeps with the wife

[GoCubsGo]

10. Kick for a blue and gold macaw I once knew.

He hated men, because his first owner got tired of him and stuck him in a closet for a few years, until he decided to find him a new home. He has a good home now. I hope this episode of Nature will get people to think twice about taking on a parrot as a pet. Most people have no idea as to what it takes to keep one, and some have no business with ANY pets, let alone a parrot.

[Beringia]

11. Are you a Chicago Cubs fan?

[GoCubsGo]

13. Yup.

[jeff47]

12. Some parrots got loose in the area where I grew up.

They did "what birds do" and a gradually growing flock would sometimes land in the trees in our yard.

It was nice to see the flock growing, and they seemed to greatly enjoy eating the berries from our tree. Far nicer than seeing them in cages.

But holy crap a flock of 20-ish parrots is really, really, really loud.

[Beringia]

14. Kick for any parrot lovers