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From: mm@lectroid.sw.stratus.com (Mike Mahler)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Smuggling/slight "indoor" slam
Message-ID: <1778@lectroid.sw.stratus.com>
Date: 23 Jul 90 03:40:32 GMT
References: <90198.165720JAHAYES@MIAMIU.BITNET> <43165@apple.Apple.COM>
Sender: usenet@lectroid.sw.stratus.com
Lines: 28

In article <43165@apple.Apple.COM>, chuq@Apple.COM (Smile when you say that) writes:
> >even so, it's 
> >hard to look at the animal and not feel regret that he's doomed to 
> >a life in a domestic setting.
> 
> On the other hand, mortality of birds is MUCH higher in the wild. Life
> expectency is much lower. Your little white cockatoo doesn't have to worry
> about being eaten in the middle of the night, or starving to death, or heat
> stroke. 

	Heat stroke is probably more common in people's houses where
	the birds might not have free access to water pools and/or
	shade.  This might seem like a nit but it's interesting to
	note that domestic birds don't always have it so cushy and
	in fact might be presented with dangers they either wouldn't
	experience in the wild or would be able to avoid.

> Properly handled birds in captivity are happy and satisfied, live
> longer and are healthier.
	
	Ah, but so few people know what proper handling, or care,
	for an exotic birds is.  Even the "experts" can't agree on
	proper nutrition requirements.  
	
> Yes, birds belong in the wild -- but that doesn't
> mean they can't be happy in captivity as well. 

	My birds don't even know what the "wild" is...