Event Information

• Tue

  05

  Jan

  2016

  National Bird Day

  

   

  Palomacy Supports & Celebrates National Bird Day!

  As part of the 14th Annual National Bird Day on January 5, 2016, Born Free USA, in conjunction with Avian Welfare Coalition, is asking popular websites and the public to stop sharing online videos of birds in captivity. While possibly entertaining to some, videos of captive parrots, parakeets, cockatoos, and others inadvertently promote the myth that birds are domesticated pets. The reality is that birds are wild, intelligent animals with emotional and physical needs that cannot be met in captivity.

  While we have enacted laws to protect our native birds—such as blue jays, cardinals, and crows—from commercial exploitation, we fail to recognize the inconsistency in allowing the pet industry to exploit the bird species native to other countries. Even when bred in captivity, exotic birds are not domesticated animals, and all their inherent behavioral and physical needs remain intact. Sadly, when it comes to birds, deprivation of their natural behaviors (to fly and flock, for example) is an inescapable component of their captivity.

  Each year, thousands of birds are sold into the pet trade to individuals who are under the mistaken impression that a bird will make a perfect pet, and online videos featuring captive birds further promote this misconception. Eventually, after fully realizing how difficult it is to provide proper care to wild birds, many people attempt to rid themselves of the responsibility. Unfortunately, few of these birds will find a loving, forever home, and most will spend their days isolated and confined to their cages. Others will bounce from home to home as their caretakers tire of them; some are abandoned at local shelters and birds rescues; some are set free to fend for themselves; and some are euthanized.