I am very angry that pet stores are selling parrots at all.
They are concerned that the people who stole them won't take proper care of them?
Well, promoting birds in captivity is not taking proper care of them.
The exotic bird trade industry is ugly and cruel, and many birds die each year.
The ones who don't die end up in cages.
I work at the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, B.C.
We have almost 800 parrots, representing a large number of species, at the refuge.
Why are they there?
Most of them are dumped. Whether caught and forced to be captive, or raised in captivity, parrots are wild creatures.
The beautiful bird that one lusts after at the pet store may turn into a biter when it reaches maturity.
Ask me what it feels like to have your ear chewed on by a cockatoo.
A parrot who bites is liable to get neglected, abused, dumped, or killed.
All parrots are potential biters - would you put a chainsaw into your 3 year old's hands while she's having a tantrum? A parrot has about that much self control - although they are liklier to nail their target. They can also live to be 80 years old.
Caging a being who could fly, who was born to fly - what's that all about?
I can think of a few reasons: greed, the need to possess/control something (someone) beautiful, lunacy.
Yes there are people who love their birds and take reasonable (if you can call it that) care of them. Perhaps the birds even love them back.
In fact, some birds pine away in severe distress when their human caretaker dies.
But if you love life, respect life.
Call for an end to the exotic pet trade.
Bring your friends up to Coombs to see the parrots.
Spread the message. Birds are not pets. Preserve their habit, and their right to live freely.
Do not sentence them to a life in captivity for their misfortune of being beautiful and exotic.