Many birds in captivity are only one or two generations removed from the wild but even in birds bred for more generations like Canaries (Serinus canaria), Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata), Lovebirds ( Agapornis sp), and Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), their behavior and physiology differs little from that of wild individuals. Domestication is the process, occurring over generations, through which a population of animals becomes adapted to man and to a captive environment through some combination of genetic changes and an environmentally induced developmental events. In the United States, pet birds are reported to be the fourth most popular companion animal to keep as a pet, after fish, cats, and dogs, while in the EU, ‘ornamental’ birds were the third commonest pet when fish were not counted individually, explaining that unlike other pets such as cats and dogs, birds are not usually considered to be domesticated animals, even when they are a captive bred species. The consequences of the trade in pet birds, discussed here, are important to conservation biologists understanding the impact of pet bird market versus habitat loss, and veterinarians’ response to rescuing smuggling birds, as well as to the global public awareness of consequences of keeping pet birds. Some aspects of obtaining and selling birds and keeping them in captivity as pets are not acceptable to a high proportion of the public, in particular because of biodiversity loss, impact on conservation policies, and poor welfare of the birds -starting from capture, to shipping, and restraining birds in captivity. ![]() A system or procedure is sustainable if it is acceptable now and if its expected future effects are acceptable, in particular in relation to resource availability, consequences of functioning, and morality of action. The sustainability of all human interactions with other animal species and the advisability and morality of taking animals from the wild is now being questioned. New laws are needed to prohibit taking birds from the wild and ensure captive pet birds in conditions that do meet their needs. Unless these changes are made, keeping birds as pets should not be permitted. Owners should have knowledge of how to provide good nutrition and minimize the risk of disease. At present, inadequate housing of many pet birds results in stereotypies and other indicators of poor welfare in birds. The housing provided for pet birds should meet the needs of birds of that species and allow good welfare, for example there should be no small cages but aviaries with space for each bird to exercise adequately, and social birds should be kept in social groups. Wild-caught birds should not be sold to the public as pets, or to breeding establishments for several reasons, including because 75–90% of wild-caught birds die before the point of sale and taking birds from the wild has negative effects on biodiversity. At present, biodiversity and wild bird populations are being greatly harmed and many individual birds have poor welfare. We describe a wide range of unethical and unsustainable practices inherent to the trading and keeping of pet birds. New laws are needed to prohibit taking birds from the wild and keeping birds in conditions that do not meet their needs. Owners do not comply with laws requiring duty of care, unless they obtain and act on such information and also have knowledge of how to provide good nutrition and minimize the risk of disease. ![]() If birds are to be continued as a companion animal for people, then more effort should be made by pet shop owners and veterinarians to supply literature to prospective owners highlighting not only the proper care for the species of bird but also its needs and requirements, so that bird owners can do their utmost to meet them. ![]() As a consequence, it is not ethically right to keep the majority of the birds that are at present kept as pets. Some pet birds were taken from the wild or bred in poor conditions, while others had nutritional, health, and behavioral problems resulting from inadequate living conditions and incorrect husbandry by the bird owners. Inadequate housing of many pet birds results in stereotypies and other indicators of poor welfare in the birds that are currently widespread. The trade in birds for pet trade is harming wild bird populations and bird welfare.
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