Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!m2c!jjmhome!cloud9!mm
From: mm@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Mike Mahler)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Birdwatchers vs. bird owners
Keywords: purpose of rec.birds, tolerance, extinction
Message-ID: <6822@cloud9.Stratus.COM>
Date: 2 Aug 89 06:19:50 GMT
References: <3012@nmtsun.nmt.edu>
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 43

In article <3012@nmtsun.nmt.edu>, john@nmtsun.nmt.edu (John Shipman) writes:

> Finally, I'd like to throw one entirely gratuitous flame in
> the direction of the bird owners.  Please try to avoid
> buying birds that were taken from the wild.  There are many
> species being bred in captivity, so whether you like them
> small or large, quiet or vocal, you have many choices that
> don't diminish dwindling wild populations.  I commend the
> efforts of breeders to establish self-sustaining captive
> populations.

    Interesting point John and one that I've pushed myself since
    being involved with birds.  Wild birds are often much
    cheaper than hand raised babies and other domestic birds
    which makes it tough to convince the beginner to buy a
    domestic bird when they will often have to pay 50-100% than
    what they'd pay for the wild caught birds.  I've noticed
    that many parrots are "in vogue" lately and that the higher
    income bracket people are buying hand raised babies (one
    local shop only carries hand raised babies of all species he
    carries) which is good but some birds don't breed well in
    captivity (as you are well aware I'm sure) and are pursued in the
    wild.   In Australia many cockatoos are killed by farmers
    routinely (and legally) due to heavy crop destruction.  Birds
    that used to be killed with shotguns are being captured 
    and sold to buyers in the US (though that's being limited as well).

    It's a complex situation.  Do we push to have the birds imported
    rather than killed?  On the other hand the Hyacinth Macaw is 
    very rare and there are efforts to see that people yearning to
    own one had better yearn to own it's other half for breeding
    attempts which is a very positive move.  Do we limit the importation
    of the Hyacinth where the importation (with associated restrictions)
    itself might help future survival of the species?

    No easy solution but I'm all for doing my part.  People own wild
    caught birds may be supporting black marketeers who regularly smuggle
    birds in fenders, wheel covers and body panels of vehicles heading
    accross the boarder.  Result:  50-60% mortality rate!  

    Buy from a reputable dealer.
    Insist on papers.
    Buy domestic when possible.