Is it hypocritcal?

[Abigal7]

Lately on youtube I noticed some youtube videos of people with dancing, cuddly parrots, etc write that parrots should not be kept as pets etc. Yes, birds are not easy nor are they for everyone but I do not understand why they would have a parrot if they really felt that way.

 

[Mayden]

I think birds should be better in the wild. If we could rid all birds as pets, I'd be for it. But until that day, I'll look after any bird that comes through my door.

Wouldn't say it's hypocritical, just acting logically about the current situation. We're not going to rid all birds from captivity, so I'm not going to pretend that birds don't need good homes until then.

 

[strudel]

It depends on what the specific argument is based on. You can form a view after you've got the knowledge that you get from having the animal. That doesn't make you hypocritical for not dumping your animal once you've taken them on. It really depends on the specifics. Also, advice might be advice to the general public, not a small subset of the general public who has (or is willing to acquire) the knowledge and patience and facilities to have an "unusual" animal as a pet.

I have rabbits and I don't think rabbits make good pets for many people. They think they are cute and cuddly, that you can stick them in a box and give them a carrot and they'll be right. So many people get them "for the kids" and they are up for adoption soon afterwards when people realize how much mess they make and how they might not be happy with their expected role as "cuddly toy". May be the same reason they are recommending against people just grabbing an exotic bird for a pet if they don't realize how much time and effort they will need to provide for the animal's needs.

 

[legal_eagle]

While I understand your sentiment, I'm not sure I completely agree. Instead, I think we parrot owners have a moral responsibility to respect our bird's wild nature, and, to a large degree, accept them as they come. I do sometimes think,however, that the keeping of larger parrots should be outlawed, as I question whether they can truly be accommodated indoors. I see that as less of a problem with the smaller species.

 

[Kalidasa]

I've said it many, many times. I wish birds were never kept as pets...specifically in cages, clipped, and what-not. I've also always had birds. The fact is, they're here and they're not going anywhere, so you deal with the situation at hand, which is a needy bird(s). But truly in my heart I believe it's a crime, a sin almost. Yet I cannot imagine life without them.

 

[tab_xo]

Maybe they were saying that so people did not watch their videos, and then go out and buy a parrot and expect it to be like that bird?

I tell alot of people not to get a parrot, i had a friend the other day who is my age, drinks, parties, doesn't have a clue about birds, who said she saw videos of Fargo and now shes going to get one.... I think she might of changed her mind once i told her the price.

But i told her not to.. and i tell a few people not to, because everyone expects their macaw to be like Fargo after watching his videos..

I get messages on his facebook page saying 'You are the reason i just got my macaw'
and i hate it.. i don't want people making a mistake because of expectations

Some people could be great bird owners, but there are a lot out there who you know wont be, just because having a bird requires a special personality!


I think there has been a discussion on the forum before about if birds should be kept though! I am not sure, i am on the fence about it..

Yes, they should be free and out flying, but that will never ever be the case, so might as well help the birds and give them a nice home, and try and give them a semi free lifestyle

Although my nana always tells me Fargo should be in the wild.. but he knows no different, and he is a very very veryyyyy happy macaw, and is basically never in his cage, so i don't have a problem with owning him, plus he gets to go out flying which is more than some inside birds!

 

[Mayden]

It depends on what the specific argument is based on. You can form a view after you've got the knowledge that you get from having the animal. That doesn't make you hypocritical for not dumping your animal once you've taken them on. It really depends on the specifics. Also, advice might be advice to the general public, not a small subset of the general public who has (or is willing to acquire) the knowledge and patience and facilities to have an "unusual" animal as a pet.

I have rabbits and I don't think rabbits make good pets for many people. They think they are cute and cuddly, that you can stick them in a box and give them a carrot and they'll be right. So many people get them "for the kids" and they are up for adoption soon afterwards when people realize how much mess they make and how they might not be happy with their expected role as "cuddly toy". May be the same reason they are recommending against people just grabbing an exotic bird for a pet if they don't realize how much time and effort they will need to provide for the animal's needs.

Oh god don't get me started on the rabbit thing. Did you know hutches were invented as a place to keep a rabbit before it was stewed? Never ever intended as a full time home.

Here is our setup, the entire room is theirs:

They actually usually have a two tier ('outdoor') hutch but we decided to try that small one for a while. Two tier is back again and is for all intensive purposes, a bedroom to their 'house'.

Poop, so much poop. We're forever cleaning out the litter tray and sweeping up poop. They are NOT for house proud people. They are hard to socialise and to get trust from. They are not pets for kids because kids generally cannot handle them properly. My buns are not fond of being touched and kids (and my partner...) generally have to touch everything fluffy. So much work needed.

Same applies for parrots, but lets face it, most people know what parrot care entails here.

Sorry for the ramble, but I have both birds and rabbits and people are forever underestimating just how hard they are and how much effort is needed for proper care.

 

[Mayden]

Maybe they were saying that so people did not watch their videos, and then go out and buy a parrot and expect it to be like that bird?

I tell alot of people not to get a parrot, i had a friend the other day who is my age, drinks, parties, doesn't have a clue about birds, who said she saw videos of Fargo and now shes going to get one.... I think she might of changed her mind once i told her the price.

But i told her not to.. and i tell a few people not to, because everyone expects their macaw to be like Fargo after watching his videos..

I get messages on his facebook page saying 'You are the reason i just got my macaw'
and i hate it.. i don't want people making a mistake because of expectations

Some people could be great bird owners, but there are a lot out there who you know wont be, just because having a bird requires a special personality!


I think there has been a discussion on the forum before about if birds should be kept though! I am not sure, i am on the fence about it..

Although my nana always tells me Fargo should be in the wild.. but he knows no different, and he is a very very veryyyyy happy macaw, and is basically never in his cage, so i don't have a problem with owning him, plus he gets to go out flying which is more than some inside birds!

Fargo has the next best thing to being a wild bird. He's fed, loved, stimulated, has flight, safety. People should strive to do what you do for Fargo.

I don't think birds should be kept as pets, but like someone else just said. It's how it is and if we can provide them with good homes, why shouldn't we?

 

[strudel]

Sorry for the ramble, but I have both birds and rabbits and people are forever underestimating just how hard they are and how much effort is needed for proper care.

I agree with you. That's why advice not to keep something as a pet might be valid coming from somebody who has/has had them. Once you've got them, it isn't hypocritical to continue caring for them while holding an opinion that they do not make good pets for many.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I feel that parrots shouldn't be easily available pets, too many people buy them without doing the necessary research. Even expensive parrots can be purchased by someone who knows close to nothing about their care.

I would never not want to have parrots. Just so sad knowing that many species are not going to live a happy life.

 

[MonicaMc]

You must not be very familiar with MyToos.... I hear the forum everyone owns cockatoos, then hound new members who just got cockatoos as companions. They insult, ridicule, and hound these new members for their very poor decision for getting a cockatoo. I wonder how many potentially great cockatoo owners are out there that ended up not getting a cockatoo because of that site!


You can't love that which you cannot see. That you are not aware of. If you didn't have any pets, if you didn't grow up with pets, if you didn't go to zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries with animals, would you care so much about the wild ones? Probably not. Animals wouldn't have been a part of your life, why should they be when someone says that an animal is endangered and we need to take steps to save them from extinction??????? Why care? It has nothing to do with you!



It may be true that many animals may be better out in the wild than in our homes, our zoos, our sanctuaries, etc, but if they weren't, if people didn't care, there would be less desire to save these animals from being hunted to extinction.

 

[Abigal7]

You must not be very familiar with MyToos.... I hear the forum everyone owns cockatoos, then hound new members who just got cockatoos as companions. They insult, ridicule, and hound these new members for their very poor decision for getting a cockatoo. I wonder how many potentially great cockatoo owners are out there that ended up not getting a cockatoo because of that site!


You can't love that which you cannot see. That you are not aware of. If you didn't have any pets, if you didn't grow up with pets, if you didn't go to zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries with animals, would you care so much about the wild ones? Probably not. Animals wouldn't have been a part of your life, why should they be when someone says that an animal is endangered and we need to take steps to save them from extinction??????? Why care? It has nothing to do with you!



It may be true that many animals may be better out in the wild than in our homes, our zoos, our sanctuaries, etc, but if they weren't, if people didn't care, there would be less desire to save these animals from being hunted to extinction.

Mytoos can be a good site to steer someone from a large parrot. But I also find them hypocritical since they give the impression to me that they feel they should be the only ones to have birds. Did not the guy that runs that site use to breed cockatoos?

 

[Abigal7]

Maybe they were saying that so people did not watch their videos, and then go out and buy a parrot and expect it to be like that bird?

I tell alot of people not to get a parrot, i had a friend the other day who is my age, drinks, parties, doesn't have a clue about birds, who said she saw videos of Fargo and now shes going to get one.... I think she might of changed her mind once i told her the price.

But i told her not to.. and i tell a few people not to, because everyone expects their macaw to be like Fargo after watching his videos..

I get messages on his facebook page saying 'You are the reason i just got my macaw'
and i hate it.. i don't want people making a mistake because of expectations

Some people could be great bird owners, but there are a lot out there who you know wont be, just because having a bird requires a special personality!


I think there has been a discussion on the forum before about if birds should be kept though! I am not sure, i am on the fence about it..

Yes, they should be free and out flying, but that will never ever be the case, so might as well help the birds and give them a nice home, and try and give them a semi free lifestyle

Although my nana always tells me Fargo should be in the wild.. but he knows no different, and he is a very very veryyyyy happy macaw, and is basically never in his cage, so i don't have a problem with owning him, plus he gets to go out flying which is more than some inside birds!

I can understand that. I know a girl who wants a monkey and a parrot. However, the money keeps her from getting those animals. I even know some people that probably would not be compatible to parrot ownership. I will honestly let people know I put in alot of work with Captain Jack. I spend time with him everyday, cage cleaning, picking up messes, cooking food for him. I also spent money perches. I spend money on toys, vet visits, and food. I also work on making my own toys etc. Maybe my thinking is different if I felt an animal was no way pet material I would never consider trying to keeping it in my home.

 

[Birdman666]

Monkeys should not be kept as pets in my opinion...

My argument is that most people are not prepared for the realities of day to day life with a large parrot, nor do they put the kind of effort into their care needs and training that is necessary to have them lead happy lives in captivity...

If you get one, you are responsible for providing for their care needs - for life - and not just "dumping it" when the novelty wears off, when you feel like doing something else, or when the problem behaviors begin because you didn't bother to train the bird properly, or the hormones are kicking in, etc...

I WAS TAUGHT THAT THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE YOU GET FROM AN ANIMAL. TAKING CARE OF IT PROPERLY IS PART OF THE DEAL. IF YOU CAN'T OR WON'T DO THAT THEN DON'T GET ONE!

 

[Birdman666]

I think birds should be better in the wild. If we could rid all birds as pets, I'd be for it. But until that day, I'll look after any bird that comes through my door.

I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE...

But I am in favor of some sort of permit process, to keep people from impulse purchasing these guys. Something similar to what is required for hawks and falconry. They need to demonstrate that they can provide for the bird's care needs, and train them properly BEFORE being allowed to keep them.

And with what is going on with the destruction of habitat, a lot of these birds would be critically endangered, or well on their way to extinction, without the birds in the pet trade. Pretty soon, the only blue throats, red fronts, or Hys, among others, will be the ones on our shoulders...

 

[Birdman666]

While I understand your sentiment, I'm not sure I completely agree. Instead, I think we parrot owners have a moral responsibility to respect our bird's wild nature, and, to a large degree, accept them as they come. I do sometimes think,however, that the keeping of larger parrots should be outlawed, as I question whether they can truly be accommodated indoors. I see that as less of a problem with the smaller species.

You haven't seen my living room! It's macaw heaven! :32:

Well, the point with large parrots is to get them outside as well. My birds are out and about trained, and they play in trees, and they are allowed to be birds, but they still have "indoor manners."

It can be done...

 

[Birdman666]

M

But i told her not to.. and i tell a few people not to, because everyone expects their macaw to be like Fargo after watching his videos..

I get messages on his facebook page saying 'You are the reason i just got my macaw' and i hate it.. i don't want people making a mistake because of expectations

Although my nana always tells me Fargo should be in the wild.. but he knows no different, and he is a very very veryyyyy happy macaw, and is basically never in his cage, so i don't have a problem with owning him, plus he gets to go out flying which is more than some inside birds!

EXACTLY!! THEY DO NOT COME THIS WAY!

They become this way over time because they are loved, and feel love, and are bonded, and are worked with. IF YOU DON'T DO THAT...

I had at least five people at the last parrot event, who wanted to "trade me" macaws, because their big macs did not behave like mine...

1. NOT FOR ALL THE TEA IN CHINA... AND
2. THEN YOU NEED TO WORK WITH THEM MORE.

A bird that bites, simply isn't being handled enough! If you handle it LESS, it will bite MORE...

A bird that does not get handled does not stay tame, and is not a pleasure to have around!

And a bird locked in a cage all the time, is doing life in solitary, which is recognized by the Geneva Convention as a form of slow torture...

There are a lot of even bird folks that still don't get it...

 

[bongodoggie]

I've lived with birds most my life and it would be shame if my birds were locked away in cages, but they are not, they are part of the hussle & bussel in the house and I know are happy birds.

At one point, feeling guilty and feeling captive birds should be free to fly, I considered travelling someplace where there was a wild amazon community and releasing my Tiki bird. A wise friend asked, 'Don't you think she would miss you?', and I knew that was true, and she would not be equiped to return to the wild, and would be lost. She'd known only a life with people, not 'a captive' life, but a life sheltered with those who loved her and she loved back. She is my little girl, and releasing her would have been an act of desertion. One should never discard loved ones.

The bigger question, 'should people own birds', is just another idealistic meddling in other people's business. It is a question only the individual knows in their heart if they have what it takes to accept a life-long responsibility for these wonderful creatures. There will always be birds in need of a home. We need good people to help.

 

[Abigal7]

Monkeys should not be kept as pets in my opinion...

My argument is that most people are not prepared for the realities of day to day life with a large parrot, nor do they put the kind of effort into their care needs and training that is necessary to have them lead happy lives in captivity...

If you get one, you are responsible for providing for their care needs - for life - and not just "dumping it" when the novelty wears off, when you feel like doing something else, or when the problem behaviors begin because you didn't bother to train the bird properly, or the hormones are kicking in, etc...

I WAS TAUGHT THAT THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE YOU GET FROM AN ANIMAL. TAKING CARE OF IT PROPERLY IS PART OF THE DEAL. IF YOU CAN'T OR WON'T DO THAT THEN DON'T GET ONE!

I agree with everything you said. I do not want a monkey as a pet but I know a coworker that does (plus a parrot). I do not think she has the money buy either animal though. She also might think it through. I do not want to steer the conversation off maybe in another discussion monkeys can be talked about. I now a coworker who has a sister that has a monkey. I have see pictures of the monkey but I will never see it in person due to its mean nature. As for large parrots yes I agree they are probably more of a hand full then small and medium parrots. My aunts first bird was a African Grey who she ended up letting her ex husband take. I want to ask her in depth on how she felt about having the bird. She said she will never get another bird. I also wonder would she had enjoyed the experience better if she had a smaller parrot?

 

[legal_eagle]

While I understand your sentiment, I'm not sure I completely agree. Instead, I think we parrot owners have a moral responsibility to respect our bird's wild nature, and, to a large degree, accept them as they come. I do sometimes think,however, that the keeping of larger parrots should be outlawed, as I question whether they can truly be accommodated indoors. I see that as less of a problem with the smaller species.

You haven't seen my living room! It's macaw heaven! :32:

Well, the point with large parrots is to get them outside as well. My birds are out and about trained, and they play in trees, and they are allowed to be birds, but they still have "indoor manners."

It can be done...

I believe you! I just think there should be some sort of permit or licensing requirement (and fee) to keep people from purchasing the larger birds on impulse or based on unrealistic expectations. Heck, maybe that should apply to smaller birds as well, although the challenges of keeping a smaller bird are less pronounced.

And I fully agree that keeping any pet is a commitment, even if it turns out to be less fun than one had anticipated. It's up to the owner to modify his or her expectations and not dump the animal.