Birdkeeping: Unpopular & Controversial Opinions

1. Birds should never have been captured to keep as pets

Let's start right in the deep! Before anyone gets angry at this one, hear me out. I love our birds and would be lost without them. However, in an ideal world, birds would never have been taken from the wild in an attempt to cage and domesticate them.

Even now, a few generations removed, pet birds retain all their wild instincts… just many of them don't have the opportunity to express these, and often develop behavioural and psychological issues as a result.

2. Budgies are not starter birds

Maybe this one is slightly less controversial. However, I still see it too much, when someone asks what a good ‘starter’ bird is.

People tend to label budgies and other small birds as ‘starter birds’ because they are cheaper, perceived to be low maintenance and easy to care for.

Unfortunately, labelling these birds this way tends to suggest three things:

• They’re easy to care for and don’t have the more complex mental, emotional and psychological needs or intelligence of more expensive birds.

• They’re good for kids, and for a beginner to learn from.

• They’re easily replaceable if they die or escape.

What this often results in is people being unaware of the true needs of these ‘cheap’ birds; and the housing and general diet and care they require; as well as the health issues they are susceptible to and are likely to need possibly expensive treatment for.

It also means some easily-preventable conditions become an issue due to inadequate or incorrect care, which the birds suffer for.

Unfortunately, this label and their cheap price tag also means they are easily replaceable if they die—and for many people it means the expense of a vet seems ridiculous.

Cheaper birds are often ‘freed’ since they’re considered less valuable and easy to simply let go when circumstances change or behaviours become annoying. This doesn’t happen so much to more expensive birds, who many consider a more valuable investment.

3. Wing clipping is wrong

Another one which tends to divide opinion—and is a topic banned in many bird groups.

Many people say it’s personal choice. I disagree. Wing clipping (especially when done improperly, which is common) is essentially denying a bird of one of its most natural activities; something they constantly desire and depend on. It shouldn’t be a choice; it is a basic function of birds and something they rely on for physical, mental, and psychological health.

To put it in perspective: imagine how you’d feel if your main form of transport (walking) was limited or removed entirely. (Even if temporary.)

For a bird that’s had flight taken away from them, especially after having had the ability, it can cause anxiety and depression.

For a baby who’s clipped before having a chance to learn and develop, the loss of this ability can impact muscle and bone strength and development. Since this age is also the time when they learn to control flight and landing, clipping at a young age can affect their ability to fly longterm. Being able to fly is hugely important for confidence as they leave the nest.

Many people clip initially for taming purposes. Sadly, what this does is cause the bird to be dependent on them—’forced’ bonding instead of building genuine trust. A bird does not need to be clipped to be tamed; in fact, being able to fly and help build confidence and bonds.

Another issue is, of course, the bird’s physical health. Birds that are clipped are at greater risk of becoming overweight, due to not getting that exercise. This is particularly a problem for birds that eat mainly (or only!) seed, and can lead to a range of worse health problems.

The worst clipping I see is of only one wing. This can be dangerous for the bird. It makes them unbalanced when flying, and increases risk of injury.

4. A licence and training should be required for keeping birds

Mainly for all of the reasons in this blog post, and many others. Birds are a special kind of animal, with complex needs that many people are unaware of. Often new bird owners will learn along the way, after getting their first bird, which, while positive, isn’t really in the best interests of the bird.

Training should be carried about by avian veterinarians, or a properly qualified individual.

5. Most pet store cages are too small, unsuitably shaped; and accessories are dangerous and/or unsuitable

Okay, this one probably isn’t so unpopular or controversial. But it is definitely still an issue since so many people purchase these items, haven’t confidence in their suitability due to being sold by a pet store—which is fair enough.

A pet store shouldn’t be allowed (and wouldn’t want to, surely?!) to sell items that may be dangerous for birds (or other animals).

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, with many pet store employees not being trained in or understanding birds’ needs, and there being no regulation of what is manufactured or sold for birds. So, we continue to have stores selling round cages, weirdly shaped cages, travel-sized cages; as well as rope toys, which are notorious for causing crop impaction and often death in birds.

6. It should be legally required for birds to be sold or adopted in pairs

This is already the case in some places in the world.

Before anyone gets defensive, hear me out. I know a lot of people have happy birds fully integrated with their human family, who want for nothing.

This isn't about that. And I also realise it is slightly different with handraised birds (although much of this still applies).

Imagine being born and the first thing you see, the first things you experience, are in a group with siblings and others of your kind.

Then, after a few weeks of this constancy, whether you've been moved to a different home, still with others, you suddenly find yourself on your own, in a strange environment.

Imagine how terrifying and unsettling that would be.

We had a budgie come in recently with a family concerned she was just sitting on a perch, not moving around at all. The bird perked up at the sounds played of other birds. At this point they wondered if she'd be happier in an aviary, with other budgies.

For birds, especially birds of prey, which budgies, weiros, all other parrots, finches, canaries etc are, flock is security. Members of the flock do everything together, for a reason. They forage, travel, sleep, eat, and play together. This is due to their instinctual need to survive, as well as their complex emotional and psychological needs.

There's a reason birds have piercing flock calls.

Birds have their flocks for a reason, and it's cruel to deprive them of this.

To reiterate, I know plenty of single birds are happy and fully integrated with their human family.

But to those who wonder why their new bird might be acting scared, biting, or exhibiting other negative behaviours... this could be why.