How Will Aviculture Look in the Future?

[spiritbird]

By Tony Silva

How will aviculture look like in future?

In the future, I see huge growth in the pet market. I think it is safe to speak for US breeders when I state that there are probably 10 buyers for every chick bred this year. I see this demand as continuing for many years. It is already evident in China, India, Pakistan, Egypt and many other countries. Europe does not yet have this huge pet market, but most trends flow from the USA to the EU and I suspect that in the coming decades breeders across Europe will experience a growing demand from the pet trade. If breeders in Europe can learn from our mistakes, then they should understand that a future pet requires effort, time and training. The future pet must learn that it is a parrot first and not an attachment of their owners—a feathered human as I like to call them. The new pet owner must also understand that bird ownership is a long term commitment. It is analogous to adopting a child that never goes beyond 5 years of age.


My opinion (what's yours?)
I think it is very sad that there may be 10 buyers for every parrot bred. We have problems now with homeless parrots people give up due to lack of knowledge or poor preparation for bird ownership. Of course parrot breeders will like this forecast. Phoenix Landing parrot rescue requires an adopter take classes prior to the adoption of a bird. I wish so much this could be mandatory in all cases.

[The Pinkertons]

I agree Dianne , mandatory classes should be put into law "for every pet/ companion species". And there should be a "fee" for taking such classes to offset costs. At end of training certification should be awarded, giving prospective pet owners a sense of accomplishment. However animal rights activists need to get onboard, have a powerful voice, and lobby for that in Washington making it a federal law. I think as a collective consciousness, our humanitarian efforts will come to fruition. There is a new paradigm of thought: what we perceive we become.

[Karen]

Just my opinion, very sad indeed.

IMO large parrots really do not fair well living in our living rooms! (I only make the distinction for large parrots because that is my only experience. Medium and small parrots may also be disadvantaged, but I can't speak to that). I just have never bought into the premise that large parrots do well in captivity. I think we see too many behaviors that say different. The reason why there are so many homeless.

I believe the larger parrots need more room than the average home can offer. In the wild they would fly for miles and forage for the better part of their day. Our homes and lifestyles just are not compatible to theirs. I know it's not a walk in the park in the wild but.... they have to give up so much to live as pets in homes.

Parrots would be with their flock, their mate, or their family unit not left alone for long periods of time as they are when living the human life. They need that companionship. In the wild young Macaws usually stay with their parents and siblings until the next breeding season. Some will remain within the family unit longer because the adults don't always raise a family every year.

* In captivity, some never see their parents, most see them for a few weeks. I find the entire pet trade and practices sad. I hate the thought that there is a prediction for so much more.

[spiritbird]

Couldn't agree with you more Karen.