Our spacious aviary and parrot house, both featuring branches and trees for perching and exposure to warm sunlight and protection from the elements, allow these birds space to fly and express their wild behaviors, unlike what they experienced living in tiny enclosures in pet homes. And our care staff is armed with research, the right husbandry training, lots of patience and knowledge of a proper diet to provide birds with the best care possible.

Each year, thousands of parrots are taken from the wild to be sold as pets, according to the Avian Welfare Coalition, which created National Bird Day in 2002. The initial shock of losing their freedom and being confined to a cage can kill many wild-caught birds. It has been estimated that 60 percent of wild-caught birds die before reaching international markets. To compensate for mortalities, up to four times as many parrots are captured than make it to market.

The demand for birds as pets or as breeding stock for captive breeding is the driving force behind the cruel trade in wild-caught birds. Globally, the illegal trade in wildlife is second only to that of drugs.

The popularity of birds as “pets” in the U.S., whether captive-bred or wild-caught, influences global trends, thereby influencing the global trade in wildlife species around the world.

One of Primarily Primates most recent rescues included several parrots who were seized in a Texas hoarding case. Some of our longtime aviary residents include a five-and-a half foot tall Sarus crane, Nicabar pigeon, ibis, cockatiels and love birds. They always make our new residents feel right at home.

Replacing the demand for birds as “pets” with a demand for preserving the species in the wild will reduce inherent welfare problems associated with captive birds while increasing the support of conservation efforts, such as ecotourism, that help local communities and protect wildlife by allowing people to see that birds are more beautiful wild. If you would like to sponsor a bird at our sanctuary please click here.