The Quakers of CT

[BirdsUnlimited]

www.Brooklynparrots.com
Is what they're doing right or wrong in your opinion?

[Cowgirl Chris]

That is so horrible. Does these people not have any hearts?? I signed the petition and emailed everyone on that website to stop killing the birds!!! Let me know if there is anything else that I can do.

[kathleen]

Why is it ok to kill a quaker but not a pigeon? Someone in NY was poisoning pigeons and there was a huge uproar to find the person who was doing it. I don't get it.

[Monica]

The reason why is probably because that rock pigeons (city pigeons) are native to America, however Quakers are not, and are listed as an invasive species... but that's not really true as pigeons were introduced to North America in the 1600's from the Old World.

IMO, it's wrong...

[CrazyBirdLady]

This is a sore subject for me. I adore Quakers. Laws regarding Quakers are antiquated as there is no proof that they are invasive or destroying "native" birds. Yes, they can be loud, but so can a crow or a blue jay...so shall we start killing them all too? Wonder what someone in CT would think if someone went into their backyard and started killing all the sparrows (who are much more invasive than a Quaker)? Just my two cents and I'll leave it at that before I get too hot.....

[Monica]

The problem is not destroying or killing other birds, but rather the quakers destroying power lines with their huge nests, and destroying crops (the reason why they are outlawed in California).

[Graehstone]

... from an ecological stand point the entire Human race should be removed to give this poor planet a break.

[Monica]

I'll have to go with Graeh on this one... It's our fault, so IMO we shouldn't fix it. We've done enough harm as it is to this planet that we could be making it worse by trying to 'fix' it.

These are opinions, and they should be respected, so because of that, I don't hate you, Alika. It's your opinion, and this is mine.

Theres been so many species of animals and plants introduced around the world that it's not very easy to just 'remove' them, and yes a plant can also be considered an 'invasive species' if it easily spreads and grows, overcoming other plants and killing them. What is done is done, and can't be easily undone, and in most cases, it probably can't be undone, so IMO it would just be easier, and probably better, to leave things that way.

Nomads crossed the berring straight and many became native americans who hunted buffalo with dogs (and later on 'big dogs' or horses). When people came over via ships, and settled in the south, they killed off the Carolina parakeet. We destroyed much of the ecology, but we did not remove ourselves... just look at all the cities! We've destroyed the habitat. There is no way going back, it's already done. Let's just leave things alone, or atleast try making it better without having to remove something else.

[Illegal Avian]

Originally Posted by Alika

...They need to go before they destroy the ecosystem... Protecting those birds could ultimately cause the extinction of a native species down the line......I can't, as a student of science, accept it for myself.

There is NO evidence that the quakers are having anything more than a mild effect on the ecosystem. They coexist with other birds very well in their introduced regions, and the head of the CT Audubon Society said as much. If you claim to be a student of science, please look at the data before you suggest such draconian measures.

[Graehstone]

Originally Posted by Monica

Theres been so many species of animals and plants introduced around the world that it's not very easy to just 'remove' them, and yes a plant can also be considered an 'invasive species' if it easily spreads and grows, overcoming other plants and killing them.

Monica, you might be interested in the following book, I found it to be fascinating reading and explained many questions I had.
"The Plant Hunters, Tales of the Botanist-Explorers who enriched our Gardens."
by Tyler Whittle
ISBN# 1558215921