Lost Darwin for 4 hours today!!

[Darwin'sgirl]

Today was a day that I've been terrified would happen. When I don't take Darwin to school with me, my husband has him at home. He works out of our garage and Darwin sits on a perch near him. Recently, my husband has allowed Darwin to sit in our mango tree. He would sit on a lower branch and was content to stay there. I kept telling him that I didn't think that was safe for many reasons. He's clipped and the cats and mongoose in the area could get him. Well, on my way home today, my husband called and said he hadn't seen Darwin for almost 4 hours. He'd heard him once, but he seemed to be in stealth mode. When I got home I climbed the mango tree and finally saw him at the very top. He wouldn't come down and it was getting close to sunset. So, we shook the tree a little and he flew down into our neighbor's plumeria tree. We still couldn't reach him and he wouldn't come down. This time we shook the tree and he flew to the ground. One of the cats almost pounced, but we were quick and of course he was more than happy to step up and give me a kiss. He won't stay home with my husband again.

Now that everything is okay, I started feeling a little guilty that I'm keeping him as a pet. I know that he could never be released in the wild. He's 27 and was smuggled in to the U.S. as a baby. I just started wondering if even though I feel like I provide a wonderful life for Darwin and I know that he is attached to me, is it something we really shouldn't do? I've been planning on getting another bird next year (obviously bred in captivity). Do you think we make them happy enough to be with us instead of out in the wild?

 

[parrotqueen]

Do you think we make them happy enough to be with us instead of out in the wild?

How sad that he was wild-caught, that must have been hard on him. I think that if you are willing to give a bird all of the stimulation it would have in the wild, then it will live equally as happy. Someone who is unwilling to devote the time needed, is not deserving of the bird. Then I would think it is wrong to keep the bird as a pet.

I'm glad you could get Darwin down from that tree, must have been terrifying.

 

[Darwin'sgirl]

Thank you for your response. I know Darwin is happy with me, I just question every now and then. He gets lots of attention and toys to tear up. I know he enjoyed his escapade but he has wanted to stay on me or next to me since I got him back.

 

[parrotqueen]

I know how it feels, I question myself all the time whether or not my boys are living their best lives. The answer is always yes, because just look at how much love they show me. I know that they are happy where they are, especially comparing it with how they were before I brought them home.

 

[cnyguy]

What a scary experience! I'm happy to know that it turned out well. I'm sure Darwin has a good home and good life with you, and will enjoy a better and longer life with you than he would have in the wild.

I had a Yellow-crowned Amazon with me for 40 years, and he lived to be somewhere between 60 and 70 years old. I know he had a better and longer life with me than he would have had if he'd remained a wild parrot. Our obligation to our parrots is to do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy, as I imagine you will do for your Darwin.

 

[antoinette]

Darwin is a lucky bird, to have such a great guardian. Sure many birds are better of living with us than in the wild. Take a look just how many birds are sold illegally and under what conditions, many have died.
I would not blame your husband, birds are extremely unpredictable.
Keep giving him your unconditional love and attention.
You are being a wonderful guardian.