THESE PARROTS ARE WORTH SO MUCH MONEY!

 

This is the usual response when people come into my home.  My answer is to whom? 

There are 54 birds living here.  Unwanted and most are not adoptable.  I am not a non-profit rescue, nor am I a fanatic collector.  These birds have been slowly trickling in here for the past 10 years.

   

So back to the original thought, these parrots are worth so much money. 

Lets start with the larger and higher priced birds, shall we?  The 3 Blue and Gold Macaws came here at different times, none of them are willing to be handled unless Caylith and Shelby happen to be in the mood to be cuddled.  The other Macaw, Raini suffered for 2 years in various Petco stores and will never be what we consider to be a "pet."  We will return to this issue in a moment.

What are these Macaws worth?  As a pet, nothing on the market.  Just try to come here and pick them up.  Bring lots of Band-Aids. 

So they are worth nothing on the pet trade market, but living here free flighted, they are priceless to me. 

What's that you say??  Sell them to breeders?  AAH, yes of course, we cannot find proper homes for the birds in this country so lets continue breeding them shall we?  While you are at it go to the local pound, (ignore the heap of dead dogs and cats on the floor) and adopt a dog and then breed it to create even more.  Good idea!

Wait I almost forgot, the issue of a bird being a "pet". 

We have taken a creature with wings, whose very survival and well being depends on flight, clipped it's wings, placed it in a cage and then often give it a lonely existence.  These are flock animals!  The idea that a single bird makes a better pet is so damn selfish on our part.  The idea that a bird should live in a cage and denied flight not only reiterates our selfish society it shows how irresponsible people can be.

   

Let's now discuss the lifespan of, say an African Grey.  The public can't get enough of them.  Why?  Because they talk.  They amuse us.  To people who purchase a Grey for this reason, I say to them, buy a Furbie.

   

Say a person such as I decides I really want a baby Grey.  I've learned (from irresponsible breeder-funded magazines) that a baby is the way to go.  I buy the biggest cage possible.  I make certain this baby is fully weaned before I take him home.  I make sure he has the best fresh diet, pellets and a little seed as a treat.  He has the choice of toys, swings and play gyms. I teach him the up and down commands.  I offer nurturing guidance.  I have raised and now have the most wonderful "companion" animal one could ever wish for.  

   

He is now the light of my life.

Let's say despite relationships, children and life changes I still devote myself to him as a pet and we continue to have a fabulous life. 

   

I was 38 when I purchased him. Grey's can live 60-80 years.

You do the math.

 

The serious crisis of unwanted parrots cannot be ignored for much longer. Look what happened to dogs and cats when they became overpopulated. 

Guess what?  It's already beginning with parrots.

Tami Myers is a former vet tech who shares her home with over 50 abandoned and neglected birds and a handful of rescued dogs.  She runs a boarding business from her home and is on the board of directors for Foster Parrots (a non-profit avian rescue sanctuary).