Should parrots have been domesticated ?

[sweetie&meli]

Whats ure opinion ure honest opinion on this ..should we as humans ever have domesticated these beautiful yet fragile creature to be raised buy humans which in the time didnt know how to properly care for them:( ? Thats a question ive been asking myself ever since i started working at mt petstore ..ive been observing our african grey and our goffin too and there both very young and plucking ..ive doen reserch but as we all know there is no real reason that we could find ..its killing me to see them that way so my opinion is that toos and greys should have never been domesticated there to frigile and emotionally delicate to be captive ? whats ure opinion on this subject ?

[BirdsUnlimited]

Most pet birds are only F1 generation. Meaning their parents were wild caught. These are not domesticated animals. It takes centuries to domesticate something. To bring them into captivity is another question, if that's what you mean.

[sweetie&meli]

OK so should have parrots been brought in to captivity?

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by sweetie&meli

OK so should have parrots been brought in to captivity?

To correct the statement about domesticating, it will take thousands of years, not hundreds. And to answer your question, I really think it was a big mistake. I mean look what we do....we take a gorgeous creature that flies, put it in a cage and clip it's wings so it can't fly.....cripes what a horror!! Some people have their birds beaks or tongues surgically altered so they can't yell either. Sighhhhh, it's embarrassing to be human sometimes. But when I see all the birds in cages, I just wish people had let them alone in the first place. I dearly love my bird and the ones I've had in the past...they will always be in my heart and thoughts till forever, but I truly wish they had been left wild. Just my humble opinion.
Linda & HRC~

[Doubleyolk]

All but one of my birds are rehomes. If more people got rehomes we could change this trend and they might be left alone in the wild. It would take many years to turn around but it could happen. JMO Adopt don't buy and we could turn it around.

[Monica]

Birds haven't become domesticated yet, though the closest that come to it would be budgies.... If parrots DID become domesticated, then we probably wouldn't be having the problem of birds plucking themselves, being malnourished, in tiny cages etc.... though then again dogs and cats are domesticated and many are STILL being treated horribly...

If the parrots were brought into captivity to try to save the species, I see no problem. Keep them as decorations in tiny cages, inappropriate cages to the bird itself, etc, then no, they should be in the wild. Keep them as family members, in nice large cages, gyms, aviaries, proper diets, even many flight trained, etc, I see no problem as long as we do not take all of them out of the wild for owr own pleasures so that a substantial amount of flocks still remain and the pet trade is not overcrowded (as it is already...)

[Franciscus]

I'm of the opinion that most individual animals do not derive benefit from their being domesticated or living in peoples' homes. We have a lot to learn and as loving parrot people we have an abligation to ALL parrots, in the wild and in captivity. We need to support habitat conservation and teach novice parrot keepers. We also have an obligation to the parrots in our lives to give them the best lives possible, such as large enclosures, plenty of interaction, opportunity for excercise, a healthy diet, good vet care, and interesting toys.

[The Outlaw]

Of course they would be better off wild and free. That's a no brainer. However, that doesn't mean that every bird in captivity is deprived. In a perfect world, we would have them flying free and visiting us at bird feeding stations. The ones that were curious enough would no doubt come forward and interact. That is probably how the first ones were "tamed" in the first place. Throughout history, wild things have come to humans for either food or shelter and formed strong bonds.

However, not everyone is "good" with animals and can instinctively read what they want and need from us. I suppose its the fact that we find them so interesting and beautiful that we emotionally invest ourselves in them in the first place. If not appreciated for their pet potential, many would likely wind up on dinner tables with their feathers simply a by product.

Not being a believer in the principles of PETA, I'm not gonna say that we shouldn't have pets. I see far more pets that are loved and treasured family members. However, for anyone who thinks they have dominion over all living things and translates that to dominance and control, they are simply cruel and no doubt treat humans the same way. In many ways, our pets, all of them, teach us how to be more HUMAN. They don't tell us when we screw up, but rather they reflect the treatment that they get.

Since we can't control all of the variables in nature, we can't just let them fly free with any assurance they will be safe. It would be like bringing home a litter of puppies and making no attempt to keep them away from the highway in front of our house. We ARE responsible for that which we tame. The bigger question is whether or not its likely that we can ever meet the needs of animals that will likely outlive us.

THE OUTLAW

[indybirds]

I think stupid people who buy pets with no research are the problem. When a pet is a good match for a person (or family) the bond, friendship, and love between them can be beneficial for both parties involved (the pet and the humans).

[CACPioneer]

(Nervous laugh) I was one of those stupid people who got a bird without doing research. I had little information to go on, but I sought out more information because I wanted to know everything I could about my little guy. I don't want to say that every "stupid person" turns out to be a bad bird mommy/daddy (I think I turned out ok), but the majority of them are.

I agree that we, as parrot-keepers, need to make sure our fids have the best accomodations we can provide for them. My birds have more than adequate-sized cages and can go in and out of their cages any time they wish. They are also allowed to remain unclipped as long as they are safe and continue to behave. They have tons of toys, a healthy diet, and lots of attention. I think they have a pretty good domesticated life, but I still have this little bit of guilt that lives deep inside that nags at me for taking in these birds that are out of their natural environment. Someday, when I have the money and space, I'd love nothing more than to build a gigantic outdoor aviary with trees and a little pond and grass and such to allow my birds to remain under my watchful eye (they'd never make it in the wild now that they've been in the hands of humans) but live in an environment that is more natural to them.