is it moral to keep parrots?

[95talongirl]

I think humans are far too eager to anthropomorphise and romanticise the 'wild' life on animals. It's like Mekaisto said: In the wild they have predators, disease, stress, sometimes starvation. The reason they have huge territories and fly (or run or swim, if you're talking other captive animals) thousands of miles is twofold: firstly so that they can always have enough to eat in their territory and secondly so that their territory overlaps with that of potential mates. It's all about survival and reproduction in the wild. Captive-bred birds aren't dreaming of a life they've seen in a magazine of open skies and abundant jungles they've never seen. As long as their needs are met, they will be happy. If they're fed, watered, have companionship, stimulation and somewhere warm to sleep, they're happy.

This is very true. How do we know what they actually think? Some people feel the need to stand on a soap box and feel important or like they are making a difference; even if it at the expense of essentially hurting more than helping.

I honestly believe that animals and people can live with eachother and in harmony. They have for years, and that's evident with the bazillion breeds of domesticated animals. The animal rights fanatics like to paint this horrible picture, bleek, picture of living in a home with people. They love the term "captivity." I usually love to bring up the clip from that "Nature" series showing an eagle ripping apart a goose that just broke its leg, and fell to the ground. How's that for "freedom?"

Like everything in this world, NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING is perfect. As long as we treat our parrots, dogs, cats, horses, fish, turtles, ect with respect and love, then there's reason to believe that they are just fine in our homes. The problem is the people who don't see animals as companions, but more like decorations; those who.. say.. impulse buy them for a kid, but really have no intention on keeping the animal's needs met.

Just like some parents are not cut out for parenthood, there's many people who are not cut out for parrots (or animals, in general). And that's fine. But to say that the entire captive population of birds are unhappy and miserable is a stretch, to say the least.

I am all for animal welfare. (Not animal rights... which is the extreme)

 

[veimar]

I don't know how many of those people "romanticizing" the wild life actually know what does this "nice" life look like. I'm not sure how many have read even Gerald Durrell. This wild life is endless suffering, fight for food, competition and death at any given moment. I watch many documentaries and read articles about wildlife, and it always breaks my heart how fragile and cruel their life is. Animals and birds in captivity who are lovingly and correctly cared for are much happier than their wild counterparts IMHO.