Don't buy parrots!

[MAA65]

Hi, I am new here. I, literally, just returned from volunteering at the oldest running parrot sanctuary in the US, The Oasis Sanctuary in Benson, AZ. They have around 700 parrots from budgies to the big cockatoos. This is a life care facility and they will not adopt. Many of these parrots have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. Parrots are the new disposable pet. I took care of a macaw whose owner poured acid down its throat to stop it from screaming, cockatoos that mutilate them selves down through their skin, birds whose wings were broken because they bit the "wrong person". I've had birds for over 50 years, and four parrots own me now, but how I wish they could be flying free where they belong, not in my house, their cage or even on their gyms. Please please, don't support breeders or pet stores. If you really want a bird, visit a rescue or sanctuary first (and watch out for hoarders who pose as one.) Real sanctuaries and rescues should be non profit. Do your homework and realize a bird is a your LIFETIME commitment. Re-home or foster one. At least two of my birds will outlive me and I need to provide for their care when I'm gone. These are beautiful, intelligent and social creatures. They also make terrible messes, bite and make a lot of noise, you can't change these natural tendencies. Visit the World Parrot Trust website to see the plight of parrots worldwide and the affect we have had on them. It is heartbreaking.

 

[MeganMango]

Our local rescue is at capacity. It really upsets me when I see people breeding. There are so many birds without homes, and so few people who can care for them properly. Im a foster parent for our local rescue, and I would encourage anyone who is able to lend a hand when they can.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Hi, I am new here. I, literally, just returned from volunteering at the oldest running parrot sanctuary in the US, The Oasis Sanctuary in Benson, AZ. They have around 700 parrots from budgies to the big cockatoos. This is a life care facility and they will not adopt. Many of these parrots have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. Parrots are the new disposable pet. I took care of a macaw whose owner poured acid down its throat to stop it from screaming, cockatoos that mutilate them selves down through their skin, birds whose wings were broken because they bit the "wrong person". I've had birds for over 50 years, and four parrots own me now, but how I wish they could be flying free where they belong, not in my house, their cage or even on their gyms. Please please, don't support breeders or pet stores. If you really want a bird, visit a rescue or sanctuary first (and watch out for hoarders who pose as one.) Real sanctuaries and rescues should be non profit. Do your homework and realize a bird is a your LIFETIME commitment. Re-home or foster one. At least two of my birds will outlive me and I need to provide for their care when I'm gone. These are beautiful, intelligent and social creatures. They also make terrible messes, bite and make a lot of noise, you can't change these natural tendencies. Visit the World Parrot Trust website to see the plight of parrots worldwide and the affect we have had on them. It is heartbreaking.

wow, that is so sad Luckily most people here strongly support the idea of rescuing parrots. My own galah was a rescue, my friends picked her up from a women who was trying to give her away standing in front of a pet store because her husband was going to KILL HER. She was terrified, had a broken leg and missing feathers, and was in a cage so tiny she needed to be cut out of it because they couldn't get her out through the small door(think generic pet store parakeet cage).

 

[sodakat]

With all due respect, obtaining a bird from a rescue or sanctuary requires that we PAY for the bird. I know, I've done it.
I'm sorry you are hurting after your time spent in Benson, but don't take it out on other parrot lovers. Many of us open our homes to second-hand birds. Many breeders do also.

I don't think it's fair to paint with such a broad brush.

 

[OOwl]

While I totally respect rescue (I have rescued an elderly Amazon), I am still very thankful that there are very thoughtful breeders out there, ones that do right by parrots, bringing people wonderful, socialized, healthy parrots to be lifetime pets. Not everyone has the resources or handling skills to take on an abused and neglected parrot.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

While I totally respect rescue (I have rescued an elderly Amazon), I am still very thankful that there are very thoughtful breeders out there, ones that do right by parrots, bringing people wonderful, socialized, healthy parrots to be lifetime pets. Not everyone has the resources or handling skills to take on an abused and neglected parrot.

I completely agree. I would one day like to buy a macaw from a breeder(mirror lake exotics) specifically to train in free flight. You can try free flying rescued birds but I would rather raise one specifically for that. I used to consider training Rosie but she is not a good free flight bird at all because she is much too quite, and has so much unknown history.

 

[noblemacaw]

I have been keeping parrots since 1991 and I cannot imagine my life without them. I had to go two months without any parrot in my home and it was a very miserable existence for me. Not everyone is a bird person. Not everyone can handle living with parrots and over the years I have done a lot of public speaking on these issues. I have spent a great deal of energy talking people OUT of getting a parrot because I knew they would never be able to handle it all. As many years as I have kept parrots I know what kind of people can handle and even down to the type of species they could live with but sadly most people cannot handle living with basically a wild creature built to fly.

My current parrot was purchased from a well known very wonderful breeder. Without her I would of never of been able to get this parrot that is a very good fit for me, my personality and my lifestyle. But he is a lone. He is the only parrot here and RFM do better in flocks. I can handle one more parrot and I am looking a a rescue to adopt my second and final parrot. Since the rescue is a 5 hour drive each way I will have to wait for more stable weather (springtime without snowstorms or lake effect snow happening) Eventually Valentino will have another parrot to help keep him mentally healthy and we will have another little friend to enrich our lives.

Valentino was never clipped. As a baby he is a very talented and capable flyer. I have changed my lifestyle to handle a flighted bird IN MY HOME. I love to watch him fly and work with him daily with recall training and I make sure that boy gets enough exercise. Not many people are willing to live with a fully flighted parrot but a RFM NEEDS to fly and I realize this. When the weather gets warm enough I will fly him outside in a special harness to enable him to fly. I am not brave enough to "free fly" him without a mentor to train us so the harness will have to do. Maybe someday down the line I will find someone to mentor us to train Valentino and I so he will be able to free fly as safe as possible.

 

[Birdlover11]

Welcome to the forum . I agree , it is REALLY sad to see all those abused, neglected birds in those rescues. But, some people don't really have the patience for a plucking, mentally ill bird. I know Breeders that take really good care of thier birds. It depends on the persons personality and experience if it's abled to care for one. Not saying that all are as mentally ill, but I would hate to see the frustration a new parrot owner would go through .

 

[henpecked]

welcome to the forum.... i have also spent much time in AZ and visiting the Oasis, I do donate. I also 'santuary" birds, who's bills and expense i will be for ever paying. It is what it is , and i'm OK with that. I rehome birds, rescue and rehome to good parronts. For free. I breed, not much but that's where i learned . IMO your view is a bit "jaded" and might change as you see more. I'm kind of an older guy but still learn new things everyday.

 

[Abigal7]

Hi, I am new here. I, literally, just returned from volunteering at the oldest running parrot sanctuary in the US, The Oasis Sanctuary in Benson, AZ. They have around 700 parrots from budgies to the big cockatoos. This is a life care facility and they will not adopt. Many of these parrots have been abused, neglected, and abandoned. Parrots are the new disposable pet. I took care of a macaw whose owner poured acid down its throat to stop it from screaming, cockatoos that mutilate them selves down through their skin, birds whose wings were broken because they bit the "wrong person". I've had birds for over 50 years, and four parrots own me now, but how I wish they could be flying free where they belong, not in my house, their cage or even on their gyms. Please please, don't support breeders or pet stores. If you really want a bird, visit a rescue or sanctuary first (and watch out for hoarders who pose as one.) Real sanctuaries and rescues should be non profit. Do your homework and realize a bird is a your LIFETIME commitment. Re-home or foster one. At least two of my birds will outlive me and I need to provide for their care when I'm gone. These are beautiful, intelligent and social creatures. They also make terrible messes, bite and make a lot of noise, you can't change these natural tendencies. Visit the World Parrot Trust website to see the plight of parrots worldwide and the affect we have had on them. It is heartbreaking.

I see your point and agree with you to an extent. To be honest I admire anyone rescuer or breeder that is nice to and takescare of birds. Sadly, the nearest rescue would tell me I live to far for them to do a home vist (I am about an hour away I think). Would I consider adopting a older bird that chosen me? Yes. But I would never suggest anyone taking on anything they could not handle. For example I would never get a large too even though I usualy work the night shift. And I doubt I would be the best canidate for a plucker or difficult bird for example.

 

[Thingamagigs]

Welcome to the forum

I also disagree and find it a very unbalanced view.
Realistically breeders may be the last hope for a lot of parrot species.
Humans clearly aren't willing to change society to work ethically with the world around us, to allow species to thrive as they have before our intrusion. Breeding facilities and pets may be the only time we ever get to see certain species. I've certainly never seen a palm cockatoo, major mitchell or gang gang cockatoo in the wild!

I do believe in rescue for the right people, in the right circumstances. I don't believe everyone has what it takes to own a troubled bird. And I don't believe everyone should stop breeding birds, or keeping them as pets.

 

[LoveMyParrots]

Welcome to the forum

I also disagree and find it a very unbalanced view.
Realistically breeders may be the last hope for a lot of parrot species.
Humans clearly aren't willing to change society to work ethically with the world around us, to allow species to thrive as they have before our intrusion. Breeding facilities and pets may be the only time we ever get to see certain species. I've certainly never seen a palm cockatoo, major mitchell or gang gang cockatoo in the wild!

I do believe in rescue for the right people, in the right circumstances. I don't believe everyone has what it takes to own a troubled bird. And I don't believe everyone should stop breeding birds, or keeping them as pets.

Welcome to the forum!

And same here! I can't say much about palm and major mitchell because their habitat does not include here at Vic, but I've never seen a gang gang! They are found at VIC and NSW, but I've never seen one! I've ever seen a pair red tailed black cockatoos flying past my house, and that was the only 2 I've seen in the wild! And that was about 2 years ago.

There are some very good breeders that are breeding rare species, and without them, the species might have be gone by now.

I like the idea of rescuing parrots, but not everyone have the time and experience to rescue a second hand parrot. Parrots from rescue centers are most likely to have bad behavior like feather picking, screaming, biting, etc. It would be even worse if a new parrot owner ended up giving away a rescued parrot.

 

[Soyajam]

Here's my two cents, as a newbie into aviculture.

I spent a long time thinking about this sort of thing.
Every animal I've owned was a rescue - but I opted not to do so for a bird. My primary reason for this was that it's my first bird, and I am terrified that my inexperience would lead to a worse life for a bird that'd done it tough already.
That said, before I made the decision to go with a breeder bird, I spent 3-4 months researching & reflecting on whether I'd be suitable, and asked myself all the hard questions. I still figured I would be okay owning a parrot.

It may be a generalisation but I feel this is something a lot of potential owners don't do.

If I ever decided I wanted to add to my flock (only after further research & thought) - I would 100% go for a rescue. Then, I think I'd have the experience & know-how to give them a life they deserve.

I'm heartbroken by any animal that's abandoned - it's not fair regardless of the species. I'd take in crocodiles if I could, lol

 

[mysteryfoxes]

Welcome to the forum!


I bought my bird from a great breeder, and I have been verbally attacked a few times privately about purchasing my parrot.

I tend to take it personally when people say, "You BOUGHT your bird? Don't you KNOW that there are thousands of homeless, ill birds?"

Why yes, I do. I also know that my bird may not have been given the best care he could have if he went to someone else, and that I thought long and hard about choosing the right bird for me.

This forum is full of loving caring people who want nothing more for their bird than a great life and an abundance of happiness. I will never apologize nor feel remorse for buying my Basil, ever.

 

[MAA65]

Thanks for all your feedback. It is most thoughtful and appreciated. I might add that Oasis takes in many birds who were bred and went to good homes, but due to the uncertainties in life, have either been re-homed many times or given up to a rescue or sanctuary. They also have many older bonded pairs, mostly macaws, who have been given up. Only birds in captivity pluck and mutilate themselves and most of these are hand raised babies and are from a good home. I apologize to those responsible and respectable breeders. I'm more hard on the people who buy a parrot on a whim and then in a couple of years give them up. All the research is showing parrots have a higher intelligence than formerly thought and need a high level of social interaction to thrive. What we need more than anything else in our love for our parrots is to educate, educate, educate. The Oasis does not adopt out and I'm more in favor of this type of sanctuary. I follow several others that do and appear to only adopt out those they know can have some success in a new home and I don't think a fee is unreasonable. We so need responsibility and accountability from bird owners and stricter laws for all animal abuse. Again, thank you for all your thoughtful comments.

 

[MAA65]

While I totally respect rescue (I have rescued an elderly Amazon), I am still very thankful that there are very thoughtful breeders out there, ones that do right by parrots, bringing people wonderful, socialized, healthy parrots to be lifetime pets. Not everyone has the resources or handling skills to take on an abused and neglected parrot.

I very impressed that you took on an elderly amazon as they can be very difficult. Birds are an expensive proposition regardless of their background and I think so many people don't realize this, especially for the bigger birds. Thank you for your feedback.

 

[MAA65]

Welcome to the forum

I also disagree and find it a very unbalanced view.
Realistically breeders may be the last hope for a lot of parrot species.
Humans clearly aren't willing to change society to work ethically with the world around us, to allow species to thrive as they have before our intrusion. Breeding facilities and pets may be the only time we ever get to see certain species. I've certainly never seen a palm cockatoo, major mitchell or gang gang cockatoo in the wild!

I do believe in rescue for the right people, in the right circumstances. I don't believe everyone has what it takes to own a troubled bird. And I don't believe everyone should stop breeding birds, or keeping them as pets.

Thanks so much for your feedback and I would love to meet responsible breeders and talk to them about this issue for their perspective on the issue. I have never seen any of those birds in the wild (can't afford to go to Australia) I do agree that people should have the opportunity to have a bird own them and, of course, am happy to find so many passionate bird people on this forum. Also, adopting a rescue bird does not mean they taking on a troubled bird, many good birds are just given up and need good homes. Again, I appreciate your comments.

 

[noblemacaw]

Due to the recession there are a lot of homeless parrots out there due to the recession which are healthy with no behavior problems. Yes, not all the homeless parrots are not always troubled, sick or so damaged they can't be adopted out. There are too many unadoptable parrots out there also and I am very thankful for sanctuaries like The Oasis. I remember when The Oasis was first getting started and gaining non profit status.

Although I would LOVE to get the BTM Valentino's breeder has in which a customer backed out of I am going to move forward with adopting a parrot in need. I am looking at 4 different parrots of different species of interest. One has fatty liver disease and I am very familiar of how to care with such illness (my noble macaw had it and I was able to reverse the condition) one parrot lost her home due to the caretaker going to a memory facility, one parrot lost home due to allergies (even though the parrot is 16 years old and they had it the whole time and NOW had to be given up to allergies) and the forth is 17 years old and was given up due to toddler and a baby on the way. I have interest in all 4 of these birds who have lost their homes at no fault of their own. Any would make a fine companion and I am happy to be able to have any 4 of these choose Lupe and I. Now I just need for spring to get here so we can make the 5 hour drive to visit the parrots and not deal with snow storms or lake effect snow.

 

[SandyBee]

I wish more people would take rescued birds too but it seems that not all rescues are created equally. Where we are there is a fantastic one and we chose to adopt from there. You are right there are many fantastic birds and not all are problematic. We did pay an adoption fee, but it was far smaller than the price of a purchase and it included their cages and toys etc..also going back to a good cause to sustain the rescue.

I don't see responsible breeders as the problem in most cases, they invest a lot of time into their birds and from what I see tend to educate buyers. Most people who get their bird from a breeder have researched quite a bit and then have had to track down a breeder.

I do see pet stores as a huge issue though, they are the ones that sell to the impulsive people, don't always educate people properly and the birds are not necessarily socialized that well.
There are exceptions to this of course.

All this being said this is becoming an even bigger problem with parrots becoming popular pets in more and more countries, many birds still being wild caught.

 

[noblemacaw]

Valentino's breeder does work with her local rescue and she will help rehab problematic parrots to help them become more adoptable. I did ask her to keep an eye out for a medium size parrot for me but now that I have found a very good rescue one state over I am going to work with them for my second parrot.

They do have adoption fees which I believe in. If you can't pay an adoption fee how are you to be able to care for the parrot properly with food, vet checkup and care and the cage. Not to mention equipment you will need for your new friend.

Valentino = $1500 plus $145 shipping fee
Cage Kings 406 SS bought in 2002 at $1700. The same cage is $2200 on sale today.
Well bird check up taken in the 4th day after I received him almost $400
replaced all perches, toys, wood and bought a large Java tree $800
Food 25 dollars a week on fresh produce, 45 pellets (get two different kinds) sprouting seeds and parrot spice purchase from breeder costs me about 60 bucks every 3 months.

Adopted parrots I am looking into fees are between $200 to $400 dollars.
Travel costs to get to rescue $150 if stay over night add in hotel costs and eating costs
Cage Freedom Deltona SS bought in 2001 $1700 now costs $2575 (this use to be Mihijo's cage.
Depending on size of parrot need all new perches and toys. ?? Not sure on cost of food yet for newcomer.
Well bird checkup with blood draw and all that same as Valentino almost $400 (Even though the adopted parrot will come with their own vet records I will need to take it in to my vet so that we can establish our baseline for the newcomer.

So adopting a parrot is much cheaper than buying a weaned baby parrot from a breeder. That is not why I am adopting. I want to adopt because I want to help a parrot in need and I know having another parrot in the house will be help Valentino maintain mental health. After quarantine and passing of the vet exam the plan is to have the cages side by side like I use to with my mini macaws. Our adopted parrot will also be a companion for us also not getting the parrot just for Valentino.