Anyone ever feel this way?

[odhinn]

Originally Posted by Abby

The world is a judgemental place and when you start questioning this stuff you are judging yourself and then trying to excuse the behaviour. I wish people would just have the balls to say I keep birds because I enjoy them (no hidden agenda crap) and tell the bleeding hearts who try to make us feel bad to shove it.

I agree

[KimM]

Idealistically, yes, it would be great if they could be free. Realistically, responsible owners like us keep the species alive and I believe also help educate others about our fids. Much of their environment is gone due to deforestation and import/export.
I believe we owe them the best care possible and pass along our knowledge to others. Would Newt have made it in the wild if he were born wild? Yes. Would Elliot? NO. Elliot is my special abled baby and if he had not been born in captibity, he would never have made it out of the nest. I can't imagine my life without either of them. Am I being selfish? of course. But then again, I do my very best to keep them happy and healthy and talk to others about them as much as possible.
I do think we need to focus on rescues, although I sound hypocritical since I bought both of mine from an exotic bird store. I was just not ready for a rescue at the time I got my boys. Rehabilitating birds is much more difficult IMHO than say a dog or a cat. Now that I have some experience under my belt, I could take on a rescue.
Just remember, you cannot let anyone make you feel badly about yourself without your permission.
I dearly love my fids and the only way anyone would get them away from me is to pry them from my cold, dead hands!

[New Ekkie Mom]

Originally Posted by Abby

They get fed a nutritious diet, don't have to worry about predators, starvation, dehydration, getting hit by cars or shot by farmers or idiots. The ons out in the wild do have more freedom of choice and flight space (yep the whole world is a little bigger then my aviaries) but they have concerns too. I'm happy with my lot and they seems to thriving on the care given to them....I wish people would just have the balls to say I keep birds because I enjoy them (no hidden agenda crap) and tell the bleeding hearts who try to make us feel bad to shove it.

I LOVE how you put that, Abby! Like most of the others have said, provided the birds are well-cared for physically and mentally and they were bred domestically, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping birds as pets. What we DO need to do is EDUCATE people. By having birds and taking GOOD care of them, especially when you get them out and around others to start conversations, we can start educating people about WHERE pet birds should come from, HOW pet birds should be taken care of (including how much work and commitment it is), and WHAT IS HAPPENING to them in the wild (habitat destruction, poaching, etc).

I strongly believe that if people do not have first hand experiences with animals, most of them will never have much of a desire to protect them and their natural habitats. I have a huge interest in marine mammals, big cats, and exotic birds. While I would have loved all these animals anyway, I know for a fact that the extent of my interest in them did NOT come from seeing videos or pictures of them in the wild. It came from frequent visits to Sea World and the circus and from meeting exotic birds in person in pet stores, hands-on exhibits at zoos, etc.

Those of us who take PROPER care of our birds and who purchased or adopted them domestically can be the best ambassadors for all parrots, wild and domestic.

[expressmailtome]

I have heard it a few times when I used to breed lovebirds. My feeling is that if they have large cages, toys, good food, water, ... then it is fine. They would probalby live longer and have a "better" quality of life with us. However, I do feel that it is cruel to keep a bird(s) in a cage where they can not even fully strech their wings.

Matt

[SDavid]

I'm thinking it would be interesting to list what we feel are "guilt-free" living conditions for captive birds. One thing I think we'd realise is that not all of us can provide the same things for them. Birdkeeping is individual and maybe that's where the guilt comes into play. Like if one person has an aviary and another doesn't. Or if one person's bird is flighted and another can't possibly allow their bird to fly safely. Or, one person has a flock of the same species that socialize with each other and another person only has one. And that one sits alone in a cage all day waiting for them to come home from work. A person may have other pets that stress their bird out. If a person has cats and dogs in the same home then their bird does have to worry about predators. Peoples birds get killed by other pets on a regular basis. The most attentive birdkeepers still have many dangers in their homes. All of us here want to provide the best care we can but even when we do our best some of us can feel it might not be enough.

[Cece4]

I dont feel at all guilty.Humans need animals, we need their companionship and thier love.Life would totally suck without them.
We do lots for them too as Abby said above.I would hope that they enjoy their life and that is after all whats most important. I dont think that being "wild and free" is always wonderful and perfect either.

[MusicalFeathers]

Wow guys! I have been really sick with a cold for the past few days and was unable to check BB. I truly appreciate your responses. They have really made me see things in a different light.
It is true that trying to give my birds what they may have in the wild makes me a better mommy and that simply, I really do enjoy having them as part of my family.
It is truly wonderful to hear from others who love their flock as I do. I continue to try and grow in the care that I provide for them as we cannot "settle" for the little research we have of them. I feel comforted from your words and Young, thanks for yours.
As we all know, our live really would not be near the same without our birds. It is such a joy to experience life with them. I need to step up and be proud!

[Young]

Glad you are feeling better, physically and about your babies. You are a terrific mommy!

[RedFeather Hawk]

Originally Posted by New Ekkie Mom

I LOVE how you put that, Abby! Like most of the others have said, provided the birds are well-cared for physically and mentally and they were bred domestically, I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping birds as pets. What we DO need to do is EDUCATE people. By having birds and taking GOOD care of them, especially when you get them out and around others to start conversations, we can start educating people about WHERE pet birds should come from, HOW pet birds should be taken care of (including how much work and commitment it is), and WHAT IS HAPPENING to them in the wild (habitat destruction, poaching, etc).

I strongly believe that if people do not have first hand experiences with animals, most of them will never have much of a desire to protect them and their natural habitats. I have a huge interest in marine mammals, big cats, and exotic birds. While I would have loved all these animals anyway, I know for a fact that the extent of my interest in them did NOT come from seeing videos or pictures of them in the wild. It came from frequent visits to Sea World and the circus and from meeting exotic birds in person in pet stores, hands-on exhibits at zoos, etc.

Those of us who take PROPER care of our birds and who purchased or adopted them domestically can be the best ambassadors for all parrots, wild and domestic.

Very good point. I volunteer at a rehab center for birds of prey, and being so close to hawks and eagles, falcons, owls and such - even getting to hold and handle them - is what got me fascinated (some may say obsessed XD) with them.

I do not feel bad for having birds, and here's why:

Though I cannot say this for the budgies, at least one of our birds (Beau the cockatiel) was adopted from the local animal shelter. She has plucking issues and a broken wing that didn't heal right, so she can't fly. She is a sweet little bird and it's been amazing to see how much she's progressed since the time I first met her. She's gone from being cranky, nippy and not wanting to be handled to willingly stepping up, playing happily on her playgym, and letting us give her scritchies - she rarely bites, either - if you annoy her, she'll warn you but won't bite unless you don't stop bugging her. I can tell by the leaps and bounds that she has taken in her trust of us that she loves us as much as we love her. With Beau, I feel like she very well may have ended up in another bad home if my husband had not adopted her and it makes me happy to see that she's happy. She deserves it.

Some people are very passionate about their dogs and cats - because they feel they share a bond with them, and that the pet is pretty much their best friend. The same can easily be said for birds. So long as they are taken care of properly and are loved, I really don't see why people would want to assume they're miserable, when their actions quite obviously show the opposite is true.

That said, I don't like how the pet bird industry got started, and I don't feel that it's right to take birds from their homes in the wild and keep them as pets. Plus, the fact that many pet birds are taken in by people who don't really care about them and mistreat them. That is what I feel horrible about.

[pippy]

Originally Posted by RedFeather Hawk

She has plucking issues and a broken wing that didn't heal right, so she can't fly. She is a sweet little bird and it's been amazing to see how much she's progressed since the time I first met her. She's gone from being cranky, nippy and not wanting to be handled to willingly stepping up, playing happily on her playgym, and letting us give her scritchies - she rarely bites, either - if you annoy her, she'll warn you but won't bite unless you don't stop bugging her. I can tell by the leaps and bounds that she has taken in her trust of us that she loves us as much as we love her. With Beau, I feel like she very well may have ended up in another bad home if my husband had not adopted her and it makes me happy to see that she's happy. She deserves it.

Lucky Beau to have found you!