Want opinions, please (parrot breeding)

[CityChicker]

Ditto what several other posters have already said. First, most Macaw species are *NOT* endangered, period, certainly not in captivity. Being listed on one of the CITES appendixes does not equate to being legitimately endangered. It surprises me that a bird club, especially one that does rescues, would advocate breeding.

I came from a third generation aviculture family. We raised numerous parrot species, including most of the Macaws. I continued breeding up until a little more than five years ago. I stopped because I could no longer stomach trying to find *quality* homes for my babies.

For so many people, birds are a piece of property or a decoration for their home, not a true family pet. They buy these birds, don't give them the attention and care required, and the birds end up back in rescues as pluckers/screamers/etc... There are so many birds needing good homes. Don't contribute to the problem of unwanted parrots. Enjoy your new birds and be thankful they are now in a good home (oh, and perhaps find a different bird club, lol).

 

[BorderKelpie]

Thank you all so very much!!!
I feel so much better. I noticed a difference in my attitude today when I went home this morning and gave all my birdies their 'Good Morning, I'm home!' greeting. I guess having you all agree with me relieved a lot of pressure I didn't realize I was feeling. The birds noticed, too. Molly (the hand-shy GW) even let me smooch the top of her (hugely scary) beak. And then she said ' Hi, Molly, I love you!" Zazu tongued my finger and Brooklyn sang her version of 'How Much is That Doggie in the Window...' Then, for a little while my living room sounded like a huge party in the middle of the South American rainforest (with a touch of Africa thrown in (hybrid lovebird). It was awesome. I adore my birds.
Chicks-N-Horses, I didn't mean anything negative about hybrids. I think they're gorgeous. I would happily adopt one in need and never worry about his/her pedigree. I certainly never meant to sound snobbish about hybrids at all. Granted, at one time, I was a bit hung up on pedigrees and purebred animals, but I have had too many crossbred animals prove to me that it's not the pedigree, it's the charactor that counts. (Hence my name here - BorderKelpie is my way of thanking a crossbred dog for proving that to me). I will no longer ever snub anyone for a 'lack of pure pedigree).
You people are awesome. I don't feel guilty anymore. I look forward to loving and spoiling these guys for as long as I live.

 

[DiVon80]

Quote:
You are so right...