They need to be understood for the wild creatures they still are
They need to be challenged with toys and cuddled
They need more than seed to eat
They are smarter than they are given credit for...
Not everyone that gets a bird understands this and bad things happen.
There are so many birds that are forgotten in cages or left in dark places because "they stay quiet that way". Birds can be difficult and require you to know how to handle them, how they regard you as their flock and how they can try to be "head of the flock" by testing you. But the way to deal with this is not to seclude them in cages or leave them in dark areas. The key is education...and there is a wealth of information out there from Bird Talk magazine to Companion Parrot Quarterly...not to mention all of the books and videotapes and behavioral experts to get tips and techniques for training so you don't get bitten a lot or have to endure screaming so much. Never forget that they are birds and are expected to bite and scream some - They're birds!
If people would learn to give birds what they need and understand their wild, instinctual nature, we would all get along better with our birds and they wouldn't be re-sold, given away or end up in bird rescues and sanctuaries nearly as much as they are. Their wild instincts aren't going to go away any time soon, not even in hand fed babies it seems. I have seen or heard about more than enough hand-fed babies who are loved, loved, loved until a few years later when they turn into monsters and people don't know how to deal with them anymore. They aren't monsters...They are just beings getting older, having mating instincts, having needs to be with their group or flock, etc.
They require much more than seed and water. They require attention...and cockatoos DEMAND it....as well they should. They're cockatoos and are willing to give it back ten fold. It's the reason many people give for getting a cockatoo - "They are so cuddly." What they don't realize is that the bird is going to want to be cuddled continuously and will need you to show them different ways of expressing themselves: how to play on their own from time to time and ways to get all of that energy out in constructive ways rather than chewing a dining room chair. This takes a lot of time, effort, LOVE and work! So many people think birds are easy. They aren't easy!! If they were, we wouldn't have so many in sanctuaries all over the country! They are fantastic, beautiful, loving, ornery, loud, nippy, exasperating creatures! We have to take the bad with the good and learn to understand it and work with it! We accept bad behavior in children and do everything we can to help, guide and change their behavior. With birds, when they nip or scream, we as a society label them a "bad bird" and give up on them.
When faced with no love, birds can turn on themselves. Recently, I've read how birds get a rush of, I think it was, epinephrine - I may be wrong on the name. Anyway...it's a chemical in all of our systems that helps fight pain by making you feel better - even euphoric. They think one of the reasons birds will pull out feathers and chew at their skin is because after the pain, they get a great "rush" of good feelings - very similar to people who cut themselves. It starts with the feelings of loneliness and worthlessness when they are left alone...and can spiral into something truly horrible. Birds are flock animals and have a hard time dealing with being alone. This seems to be a coping mechanism.
This cannot be thought of as "Something birds just do".
Horace was one such survivor. He was a survivor because he was rescued. He could not get out of his horrible circumstances by himself. Thank goodness there are people who care deeply enough to help these birds. It's unbelievable the amount of rescue groups that exist - all around the world!! This is truly an epidemic that we as a society need to address. Breeders are great because before breeders (not long ago and still happens some today) people would smuggle birds into the country under horrible conditions that I won't go into here. There are some breeders who are unethical with regard to how they raise babies (similar to the problems with "puppy mills") and breeders and pet store owners in general need to be much more forthcoming with information about what it takes to treat a bird correctly and handle it once it reaches those "hormonal years" when nature steps in and they aren't always cute. They still deserve love and attention and more than ever, they need guidance and understanding.
Many times when they are rescued, they are sick from malnutrition...from abuse...from filthy living conditions and dirty water. When circumstances have gotten this bad, they are so sick that regular vet visits and expensive medications are needed. Then, there are the cages, toys and fresh fruits and vegetables that should have been part of the bird's life from the start.
Beaker Seals was created from a portrait I (Lisa Walsh) drew of Horace, a Blue & Gold Macaw who was rescued by Sabra of Sabra's Parrot Rescue (www.sabrasparrots.com). They are meant to be used on letters similar to the idea of Easter Seals. This will help spread the word that this horrible problem exists as well as raise money to be donated to the rescue groups.
I also want to say that we are not experts on this subject - far from it. We just wanted to get involved and have heard stories that break our hearts. Beaker Seals is meant to be a positive thing. We know there are birds, who live in happy families, that also pick their feathers for reasons known only to them. These are not the birds that need help, but many others do.
On a very sad note, Horace passed away in September 2001. His body just couldn't fight all the medical problems that were the result of his neglect. Thanks to his rescuer, Sabra, his final few years were happy!
To buy Beaker Seals and see all the products, click here --> www.tothepointdesign.com/beaker_seals_products.htm
Birds are great, but not always easy to care for and live with. I am sharing our experiences of living with a Cockatiel since 1990 and a Goffins Cockatoo since 1997 to show how we get along with our feathered friends.
http://www.tothepointdesign.com/life_with_a_goffins_cockatoo_and_cockatiel.htm
We've been on the Net since 1998.
To The Point Design Studio
email: Lisa@tothepointdesign.com
©1996 - 2007 To The Point Design Studio. All Rights Reserved. Copyright Info