Pledge To Protect Parrots From The Illegal Parrot Trade

  • by: Sammy Bryant
  • recipient: The Global Community, Bird Lovers, Prospective Parrot Owners

Sign Now To Pledge To Help Stop the Illegal Parrot Trade

Source: https://www.parrots.org/flyfree/

(Source: link)

Parrots of all types are rapidly disappearing from the wild thanks to the horrific illegal parrot trade. Because this trade can not exist without demand, it is critical that we do all we can to halt this abhorrent treatment of these beautiful creatures. While we’ve made some great strides here and abroad, one of the most important things we can do individually is pledge not to contribute to this awful practice and inform our family and friends about how they can avoid contributing to it if they become interested in adopting and owning a companion parrot. As many prospective parrot owners have no idea about the illegal parrot trade or how demanding parrots can be, it is crucial that we all take the pledge to become informed and, in turn, inform others. Together we can fight back to save these beautiful birds from harm! Please read on and take the pledge today.

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Who doesn't love spectacularly colored Macaws, talkative African Greys and cuddly Cockatiels? These animals are not only gorgeous and full of personality, but studies have shown that these creatures possess amazing cognitive abilities akin to that of a five year old child. For the right pet parent, they can make fantastic companions. But unfortunately our (often misguided) enthusiasm to add one of these amazing birds to our family can have steep repercussions. The increasing demand for parrots has led to dramatic increases in parrot poaching over the last few decades, making parrots the most threatened bird species in the world. Despite laws against parrot poaching throughout the neo-tropics, and legislation such as the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States, the illegal trade continues while parrot populations further decline.

Source: https://www.parrots.org/flyfree/images/slide-b.jpg

(Source: link)

Despite the passage of the Wild Bird Population Act in 1992 that was designed to end the wild capture of pet birds, many of the birds sold in the U.S. and abroad are, in fact, victims of the illegal pet trade. As a result of this illegal practice and the high demand for these birds, there is an increasing number of pet birds in the U.S. and we are beginning to see a large influx of unwanted birds in shelters. Many people, caught up in the charm and beauty of these creatures fail to adequately research their pet parrot’s special needs and requirements, and ultimately end up dumping and abandoning them as soon as they become too demanding.

Source: https://www.parrots.org/flyfree/

(Source: link)

And as if that isn't bad enough, upwards of 60 percent of wild birds caught worldwide don’t make it through the capture and smuggling process. The Animal Law Coalition found that parrots have been found concealed in things like tire wells, toilet paper and tooth paste tubes, stockings, glove compartments and hubcaps. Sometimes the animals are even drugged or given alcohol to keep them as quiet as possible. In some cases, birds have even been reported as having their beaks taped shut.

Source: http://i4.mirror.co.uk/

(Source: link and origionally from link)

Smugglers also don’t shy away from removing feathers to keep birds from flying or poking holes in their eyes to keep them from reacting to light. Many birds are often without food and water and it is not uncommon that they barely have enough air to breathe as they are forced into small boxes to be smuggled across borders. Many of these birds don't survive the extremely harsh conditions and never make it to their destination. Bird poachers, however, plan for this. Researchers in Nicaragua found that smugglers capture four times more animals than they think they can sell to make up for the mortality rate. This stunning capture rate is leading to the direct decline of many parrot species, including the much beloved African Grey Parrot, who is rapidly disappearing from it’s natural habitat of West and Central Africa in what has been dubbed by Steve Boyes, an African parrot specialist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer, as the “African Silence.”

Source: http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2011/12/27/mystery-death-of-687-wild-grey-parrots-on-1-hour-flight-to-durban-revisited/

(Source: link)

Because many are unaware of how these birds end up in pet stores, these beautiful creatures have fallen victim to the cruel and inhumane practices that we have seen elsewhere in the pet industry. When the WBCA was implemented, some bird breeders restored to creating bird mills to feed the increasing demand. These facilities, similar to puppy and kitten mills, produce huge numbers of sickly birds in terrible conditions. Because of this ever increasing demand for pet birds and large numbers of birds being fed into pet stores, bird rescues have become a necessity. Unfortunately bird sanctuaries are few and far between and are having a hard time keeping up with the increasing number of abandoned pet birds. Many people love the idea of having a pet bird, but are unaware of the profound time, love, care and attention it requires to give these animals a happy life. Many parrots are also extremely long lived and can live well into their fifties and sixties, making the commitment much more significant than adopting a dog or cat.

But there is hope! The illegal parrot trade exists solely because of demand. By signing this petition you are:

  • Pledging not to contribute to the illegal parrot trade and abuse of these amazing creatures
  • Pledging to either:
    • Refrain from buying a parrot altogether OR
    • Joining the global community of responsible aviculturists by committing yourself to research to make sure you are a good candidate for parrot ownership plus
    • Pledging to either adopt a bird needing a home from a rescue/shelter or, at the very least, making sure your breeder can provide paperwork verifying that they are not and have never bought from or contributed to the illegal parrot trade.
  • Pledging to inform your family and friends about the illegal parrot trade and what they can do to help if they are ever interested in adding a companion parrot to their household.

(Click the Petition Letter to see pledge in its entirety.)


Together we can work to become a more conscious, caring, and loving society by taking action to protect the most vulnerable.

Please sign today and pledge to protect and preserve parrots from the catastrophic illegal parrot trade, as well as become informed and responsible aviculturists (if you so choose).

Source: http://www.hdwallpapers3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/sun_conure_parrots_2-1920x1200-1024x640.jpg(Source: link)

The birds and I thank you!

(If you'd like to know more or would like to donate to help end this problem, you can find out more at: https://www.parrots.org/. This is the World Parrot Trust website and they do amazing work!)

(Many thanks to http://www.onegreenplanet.org, Anna Vallery, (author of article “The Truth About the Exotic Bird Trade Will Make You Rethink Buying a Parrot in the Pet Shop”) from which I obtained much of this info, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ and the article “This Talking Bird Is Disappearing From the Wild", The World Parrot Trust for the photos, http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/ for the cover photo, and my other photo sources for which the links are provided below the respective photos)

As an informed, compassionate and concerned citizen of the planet I acknowledge that wild parrots are in dire need thanks to the illegal worldwide parrot trade. I pledge to throughly research and deeply consider if I am a good candidate for a companion parrot before adopting a parrot in need of a home from a rescue/shelter or at the very least ask my breeder to provide paperwork to verify that they have not contributed to the illegal parrot trade.


If I am not interested in parrot ownership I pledge to inform my family and friends of the large responsibility parrot ownership poses, as well as the harm the illegal parrot trade causes to millions of birds worldwide, if they are or become interested in adopting a parrot.


Above all, I pledge to not contribute to the illegal parrot trade or contribute to the harm or abuse of any wild or companion parrot in the future.

Update #17 years ago
UPDATE: Thank you all so much for the shares, signatures, and for taking the pledge! I wanted to mention that Care2 now has a free donate option that directly benefits the Rainforest Trust's proposed Balanga Forest Reserve, which is a habitat for African Greys. It's only 18 butterfly credits per 10 square feet of Congo Rainforest saved, and you can donate directly via this method. It's a great (and free!) way to add a little more impact and help save these wonderful birds.
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