Common Birds in Aviculture to be Placed Under Endangered Species Act

[Monica]

I don't know how long quarantine is for any birds that are captured as illegal imports on the border, but I wouldn't believe that it would be years... and if the birds check out healthy, they are then sold to anyone who's willing to buy them - for a cheap price. As I understand, this is mainly US breeders....

Personally though, I feel like we need more laws in regards to the animal trade. Something that would hopefully lower the amount of animals needing homes, while at the same time improving the homes birds, whether they are breeders or pets, are living in... i.e. reduce/get rid of neglect/abuse.

[perchingbird]

A book I read, "Of Parrots and People" by Mira Tweti has a couple chapters in it devoted to smuggling. She went to a quarantine station here in San Diego, interviewed a Department of Agriculture enforcement inspector and took a tour of the facility.

Pet birds stay in quarantine for 30 days. Smuggled birds are kept for 45 days before they are eligible for release. According to the book, few are, and the Inspector told the author most stay in their plexiglas quarantine boxes for 6 months on average. It varies because they are "evidence" in smuggling cases. Once that is over, they are sold at auction to the highest bidder. A lot are breeders, some are the very same smugglers that got caught bringing them in. After a slap on the wrist, they go buy the birds with a good bill of health and can sell them legally. ><

The book states that a yellow-headed Amazon the staff called "Pirata" due to its one eye was held in isolation three and a half years. He was confiscated when his owner tried to cross the border with him, and then his owner never tried to get him back. The staff got him toys when they clean his cage. When the book was published, he was still in isolation. :(

I'm not sure I can recommend the book. It starts out a really good read, and then it starts getting into the "Bad" side of how humans interact with parrots, which Pirata illustrates. I haven't actually finished it yet, it was getting so sad.

Granted, not everything in print is the bonafide truth. Maybe the book is wrong. I'd like to think so.

[Monica]

I've read the book... at least most of it anyway... and I do remember those accounts you speak of. I haven't been able to finish it, and although I'd like to, it's just kind of hard to. Personally though, I'm glad it was published. There is so much info out there on the good and bad of dogs, cats, fish, and other common house-hold pets... but not so with birds. People are most interested in turning a blind eye to things that they cannot witness personally, so therefore the book itself can be a real eye-opener for many.