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We all know, or should do by now, that African Grey Parrots, Timneh Grey Parrots, Senegal Parrots, and many other African species are imported into this country (UK), and many other countries in great numbers.

We should be ashamed of these astronomically high figures of imported birds. Ashamed of the fact that we cause the suffering and death of these birds in the name of business, hobby or pet. But namely profiteering.

If you think this statement is OTT, look at the figures below first, then decide.

I have not gone into figures other than for African Grey, Timneh Grey and Senegal Parrot. (YET)  The following factual figures are:

'Export quotas for specimens included in the CITES appendices for 2001'

CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

What about the people who say 'if we did not import parrots the locals would kill and eat them anyway and laugh?

Do you really believe these people who are more often than not the owners of imported parrots themselves?

Anyone who knows anything about African Grey parrots, knows that they have a shy, often extremely nervous temperament. They are mainly gentle natured birds, and very intelligent.

Never let us not forget that.

What happens to them?

Bearing in mind all of this we still import them and pack them up in small cages, 10 or more to one cage, sell them at ridiculously low prices to people who do not know what they are buying, or indeed care, as long as they think they can make some money.

They then do not feed them correctly - have you ever wondered why these birds are hooked on sunflower seeds?

Or house them correctly. Many of these birds die, even before they leave the quarantine stations, IF THEY ARE QUARANTINED AT ALL,  who knows how many, who is to say? 

There are no legal checks.  

The ones which do survive mainly lead a life of misery and suffering. They may also carry various diseases, which could well transmit to other birds.

They are not suited to life in confinement and because they are shy, nervous birds, they spend most of their time hiding in a corner of an aviary or a nest box.

The new owners hardly ever see them. Many of these new owners keep them in small confined quarters - suspended cages or aviaries - they call them.

These are other words for inadequate sized housing of these birds. Remember these birds come from jungle and rainforest and open spaces, what makes these people think they like living in 3 foot square cubes?

Would you like it?

It is in effect like you living in one room of your house all your life, not much fun?

These people are a poor excuse for breeders and bird lovers and they keep these birds purely to make a profit.

There are so many individuals and so called parrot experts/bird lovers selling hand reared African Greys originating from these poor cooped up adult birds, some even advertising the fact and selling them as unweaned, on one feed per day, (which will be better for you who buys the bird, as it will bond with you better) - 

BELIEVE THIS AND YOU ARE VERY GULLIBLE !!!!!!!! DO NOT BUY FROM THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

The figures above are as stated only  'Export quotas for specimens included in the CITES appendices for 2001'.

The actual figures could be much higher.

I have only included numbers of over 500 birds. There are many other countries exporting these birds, in smaller numbers on a regular basis.

I hope they make your mouth fall open, with shock, only then will this maybe make people stand up and be counted, and if you can do nothing else:

DO NOT BUY AN IMPORTED PARROT 

Or an unweaned parrot.

Visit our on-line bird and animal jewellery shop for a great selection of fashion jewellery.

We now also stock parrot cages and playstands at the cheapest prices available on-line with free delivery.

What about the prices?

So you can't afford a captive bred bird?

At least one rescue organisation within the UK is calling for UK breeders to reduce the prices of their captive bred hand reared baby birds, to run parallel with imported birds.

Firstly, there are too many hand reared baby birds in the UK, supply out does demand - fact.

If the number of hand reared baby birds was drastically reduced there would respectively be less birds in need of rescue and therefore less need for rescue organisations.

You don't often see rescue centres telling breeders not to breed any more.

 As supply out does demand has anyone ever wondered why they therefore keep selling?

Unfortunately so many of these baby birds sadly die within the first year or so of their lives due to carelessness and/or ignorance of the owners - fact also.

As to the point of breeders dropping their prices.

Why would anyone seriously think that in doing so this would end the import trade?  

Breeders spend a lot of time and money and effort into trying to get their birds to breed. This does not happen overnight. No matter what you might think.

Putting two birds of the opposite sex together with a nest box does not give immediate positive results.

Some pairs can take 10 years or more before producing any young - some never do.

What about cost of feeding and accommodating them?

Anyone who does hand rear can spend unlimited amounts of money on hand rearing food, tissues, bottled water, plus the electricity bills. What about the time spent? Up at all hours of the night for sometimes weeks on end. Time and effort a necessity.

Why then would anyone seriously think that breeders should be obligated to drop their prices, usually because they (the critics) can't afford the bird?

Life is like that. There are lots of things that we all would like to have, but it just doesn't happen. No matter that you think you would be a good owner, caring and attentive - if you can't afford it you don't get it. Tough.

Not that having lots of money automatically makes anyone a better prospective owner. It doesn't work like that either.

There are so many unwanted parrots around, that surely by dropping the prices the level of birds in need of rescue would increase. What was that about rescues wanting breeders to drop their prices? Easy come - easy go?

These birds are exotic species. They are NOT DOMESTICATED like cats and dogs. We should not be able to go down the pet shop and just buy one on a whim and fancy. How many pet shops do you know that sell tigers, lions, leopards, monkeys etc..?

The import of wild caught birds and other species will only cease when the world and its respective governments come to realise that everything has its place in the world. We have no right to take because we want.

How they are trapped

These birds are either caught in large nets, or by picking them off trees that we (humans) glued purposefully, or by raiding the nests. They are then bagged, their wings are usually hacked off and sometimes the tails. The young birds are force fed. After their first move they are then pushed into crates sometimes so many in one crate that they kill each other for food and out of terror. Then transported to other parts of the world which can take many days. Then into quarantine at the airports or other premises, caught up and stuffed full of wormers, antibiotics and have blood taken from them.

If they survive this they are caught up yet again and sent to respective dealers/traders, placed in yet another cage, quite often in shops where the general public file past, gawping at them.

Maybe bought and if they are really lucky find a good caring owner and a nice aviary/cage, good diet and live a happy life.  

How many do you think have this happy ending?

These imported birds are cheap to buy as it is.

Did you know that the original trappers are paid literally pennies for each bird they trap?  

Is it worth all the trauma for these birds so YOU can have one in your living room?

How many imported birds make good pets? Not any.

Don't be fooled and don't be foolish.

No more whinging 'I want'

Please no more excuses that you can't afford a captive bred bird.

Either save until you can - or go buy yourself a cuddly toy.

Only this month the Indonesian government have pledged to end exports of all wild caught birds and put an end to trapping.

NOT SURE HOW TO TELL IF THESE BIRDS ARE IMPORTED?

Imported birds do not have closed bands/rings on their legs.

They may have a SPLIT ring, which will probably be a sexing ring, NOT proof of captive breeding.

These birds will also be extremely nervous and fresh imports may well have poor feathers.

Next time you see an imported African Grey or Senegal in a cage in a pet shop or similar and you are tempted to buy it...

Please remember this and think twice. 

Ranched Parrots

Whilst this page concentrates on African Parrots, please remember the import trade is not solely from Africa, but also South America where there is much trade in Amazon Parrots and Macaws.

From such countries such as Nicaragua and Argentina, these birds are described as 'ranched'.
 'Ranched' actually means that eggs or chicks are taken from the nests and reared by the locals before export, they are still nest robbing.

DO NOT FORGET