Sometimes I feel moral anxiety from keeping a parrot

I keep an eleanora cockatoo and have had her for years now.
During my time of keeping her, I have had more and more people questioning me for keeping a pet bird, I came to this forum a few years back and asked people's opinions on whether they feel it is moral to keep a bird or not.

I was watching a documentary by chloe sanctuary on what causes feather picking and it looks like a large part of it is the unnatural settings parrots are in captivity, in the wild they have strong bonds with flocks and are in constant presence with other birds. I read a comment by the sanctuary's page that captivity is inherently stressful for all birds and I can't help but feel that maybe that's right? Why do birds show these self destructive behaviors in captivity? Even enthusiasts that do much to provide for their birds end up having these problems later on down the road.

I can't help but feel constant anxiety and stress as these facts come along, my bird is healthy and looks fine, but I can't help but feel that whatever I do, she is living a stressful, unhappy life.

These are ramblings that run through my head, and keep me up at night, I feel this constant anxiety now and it's even preventing me from living my life without feeling gloomy.

Do you guys ever feel the same?

Yes and no, depends on the day

They may not be domesticated but all of mine were hatched in captivity. They get a strong balanced diet, and plenty of engagement and stimulation. I doubt they wouldn cope in the wild.

I have youngish children, and so the parrots often visit classrooms with me, and we talk about environmental issues, habitat destruction, the care of our pets, and the sheer intelligence of our feathered friends. They gain a new appreciation for birds. I think that kind of helps balance it a little bit.

Your concern is a good thing IMHO, it just reflects your love for your parrot. Your parrot knows you, and would probably be caused a deal of stress by not having you around, so you'e just gotta channel that anxiety into some toy making or something

Every year 'people' drive to Washington State to release their Parrots in the the Beautiful Rain Forests of the Great North West! When asked why, they all tend to feel this same anxiety of causing great harm to their wonderful and loving Parrot! By releasing their beloved Parrots into the Beautiful Rain Forests they know that all will be well and wonderful for their Parrot.

With luck, someone explains to them that their beloved Parrot will die within days of release. Either by starvation or killed by a Hawk, Eagle or one of the other animals. If the Parrot makes in until fall, they die from the cold temperatures. Sadly, far too many are released prior to coming to understand what they had just done to they beloved Parrot.

We have taking in the yesterday's trash that 'people' with NO hearts have dropped off at a Vet's Clinic or Rescue Center in such poor condition that they where standing on deaths door. Worked hard to provide them every additional hour of life and to assure that each knew that they had been loved. Sadly, most past far sooner than they should have, but some had rallied and lived and loved deeply!

Moral Anxiety: Well, at least you haven't released the love of your Life into an assured death either by starvation, killed or frozen to death! Nor have you so mistreated your Loved One that their only hope for life is someone like me. Your not that kind of person! That said, you're so called friends ARE!!!

Time to leave those 'so called Friends' in a dusty, dirty corner that they belong in!!! They are not Friends, they are haters that are working to take from you and hurt you. Block their CALLS and Messages, defriend them and whatever else you have to do to cleanse your life of those haters!

Now, go spend the time that you have provided those haters and offer it your Parrot. The love in return will be more enjoyable and honest!

Feel any better yet! If not, you need to dump a few more haters! You will be surprised just how much happier your life will be without them!

There is a Reason that Amazon's Have More Fun! They do not Hate!

FYI: Why are you spending your time almost looking for these Downer? Why are you spending so much time 'thinking' you are forcing your Parrot to Suffer? Why are you not simply Loving Your Parrot? Change the use of your time to directing Love to your Parrot will help greatly! You will find your life much happier!

Beautiful words and sentiments above, and I will agree.
I think people should question just about everything they do concerning other living things.
The one thing I'm sure of is this: whatever the moral/social/environmental implications/complications, once you take responsibility for a bird, you do your very best to do right by it.
And I think you are doing just that, as are most of us here.
I applaud your post. I think it was brave.

I do feel this anxiety, and I don't have my bird yet. Plus, I'm not even looking at the bigger longer lived species. If I were able to accommodate a larger bird, I would definitely go the rescue route if I could. After watching that video on feather destructive behaviour, I'm having lots of new thoughts. Mostly that if we take on bird companionship, we need to really provide the best environment possible for said bird(s).

Well, sure, sometimes I feel a little sad that our eclectus isn't living in the wild in the South Pacific somewhere. I'd love to win a big lottery and go there and find a rehab center that would teach him to be a wild bird. It'd be glorious to see him in full flight, yelling "Hey DOUG!" and finding a lady or five. Like, that's what he's actually made for, and if you *only* think about it that way it can really get you down.

But I do not have the resources. So I do like Sailboat suggested, and go hang out with him and give him "flock" time. Because like Galeriagila said, we accepted responsibility for him when we took him in.

I guess if you're feeling bad about it you can try to give your 'too some things they'd have in the wild? I tell myself that at least we let him fly around the house all day, we provide good food and opportunities for foraging, plus we keep him safe from predators . . . I mean, all we can do is our best.

Holy crap though, Sailboat, I had no idea people would be so foolish as to "free" their parrots in Washington state. Because rainforest equals warm and safe somehow?! The string of cursewords I'd like to use . . . *headdesk*

Katu said:

I do feel this anxiety, and I don't have my bird yet. Plus, I'm not even looking at the bigger longer lived species. If I were able to accommodate a larger bird, I would definitely go the rescue route if I could. After watching that video on feather destructive behaviour, I'm having lots of new thoughts. Mostly that if we take on bird companionship, we need to really provide the best environment possible for said bird(s).

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That documentary got me really depressed, the vet essentially argued that hand reared birds are more prone to stress and anxiety because there is something missing from human parenting, and those stresses may not even show until later on. I can't tell if my bird is really happy or not, just that thought is stressing me.

tashawithanekkie said:

Well, sure, sometimes I feel a little sad that our eclectus isn't living in the wild in the South Pacific somewhere. I'd love to win a big lottery and go there and find a rehab center that would teach him to be a wild bird. It'd be glorious to see him in full flight, yelling "Hey DOUG!" and finding a lady or five. Like, that's what he's actually made for, and if you *only* think about it that way it can really get you down.

But I do not have the resources. So I do like Sailboat suggested, and go hang out with him and give him "flock" time. Because like Galeriagila said, we accepted responsibility for him when we took him in.

I guess if you're feeling bad about it you can try to give your 'too some things they'd have in the wild? I tell myself that at least we let him fly around the house all day, we provide good food and opportunities for foraging, plus we keep him safe from predators . . . I mean, all we can do is our best.

Holy crap though, Sailboat, I had no idea people would be so foolish as to "free" their parrots in Washington state. Because rainforest equals warm and safe somehow?! The string of cursewords I'd like to use . . . *headdesk*

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Honestly speaking, I think the freedom experienced in the wild is a bit overrated, it's not just predators but also finding food, water, shelter, etc. Many of the stuff we take for granted here in our homes is very difficult to acquire in the wild. This view was reinforced recently with hurricane harvey hitting my home town and seeing all the damage that was done, including to wildlife, I feel my parrot could appreciate the safety and comfort I try to provide to her everyday.

I think what's stressing me is if I am really providing for her mental and emotional needs, is she suffering from within, I can't tell, especially with this recent documentary I watched, which argues that handraised parrots are essentially autistic and could constantly(but not visibly) stressed and anxious in captivity

I know I'm rambling a lot and jumping around a lot, but these are my thoughts.

My moral anxiety over keeping Gabby as a pet negatively affected my relationship with him. This is what I should have thought: "In a perfect world, Gabby would live a happy, free life on the Yucutan Peninsula with a mate and no predators, but this is not a perfect world. I need to love him and provide him as much stimulation as possible!" A lot of my energy was wasted on feeling guilty. Guilt that leads to inaction is toxic and useless.

When Gabby died, I realized I needed a parrot in my life. I'm not a dog person. I'm not a cat person. I'm a parrot person. I wish I had realized this before Gabby died and accepted the situation as it was. Both of us would have been happier.

I was completely miserable without Gabby, so I found a blue-fronted Amazon chick who would definitely be pulled early to live a life among humans and vowed to do the best job possible with her. My goal is to make her so well-trained that should I die, people will be fighting over who gets to continue caring for her. Of course, I need a living will to specify who decides that, but I'm working hard toward making her an amazing bird.

Losing Gabby taught me a valuable lesson about guilt. It's there to keep you from making the same mistake twice. If you wallow in it, guilt becomes meaningless and useless. You don't have the energy you need to effect change.

Like it or not, these beautiful creatures are destined to live their lives with humans. Be the best human custodian you can be. Acknowledge the guilt, but don't let it ruin the relationship you have with your parrot. Instead, put the energy you just saved into making your bird's life better. That is what I should have done and what I vow to do now.

Avian Behavior effected by rearing is an area that much discussion and disagreement exists. What is in agreement is that the lack of feeding (fear of starvation) has serious effects on the chick. Whether parent raised in the Wild or captivity or Breeder hand feed, if there is a lack of on-going timely feeding, there is a direct link to Behavioral Problems.

The rush to sell baby chicks prior to their being fully weened and/or Breeders doing it on the cheap, has provide a known /provable link to the Behavioral issues that you have heard about. The rush to sell unweended babies to Owners with no or seriously limited knowledge, has resulted in a number of starving chicks showing-up at Vet Clinics, Pet Stores and other Breeders that step forward to help.

The Sad reality of today's News Cycle and want to limit the size of any provided information to a 'News Bite' can and does lead to miss-understanding. In this case, instead of a couple of additional sentences, the presented terms are limited to Parent Raised vs. Hand Raised. The simple clarity of 'always full' or 'starvation fear' gets missed.

The best Parrots have and continue to come from deeply involved, knowledgeable, Loving Breeders with Healthy, Caring Parrot Parents co-raising the chicks though being fully weened, fledged, and socialized.

If this is known, why are so few Parrots allowed to receive this start on life? Humans want Parrots on the cheap! Very old statement: You get what you pay for!

I will say yes I totally get what you are saying and to a degree feel the same. Building on the fab replies already received I turn that negativity around to well he's here now and I need to make it best that I can for him. Socialise your 'too as that is good for her and good for you.

When people stop and say "ooh, aah, look I want one", give then the complete facts of parrot keeping and then they will either drop the idea or think about it some more. If we can save a parrot from some of the air heads of this world then a good job done IMO.

Try to channel the negativity into positivity as that will help you both, please don't let it spoil the time you have together and possibly cause you harm.

I applaud you for thinking so deeply, having a conscience and caring so much.

I haven't had Syd very long but satisfy myself that he is having the very best life I can provide. He was neglected where he was, sold as an unweaned baby, not properly socialised, and living with a toddler determined to either smash him under a toy or hell bent on opening the doors to let him fly out.

I am grateful that the father realised his mistake in bringing this little fellow into his home as a 'pet' for his small child and he was put for sale at just 14 weeks into his 2nd home. He is in the wrong part of the world to even consider his life being outside, in fact I choose carefully those days warm enough when he can spend time in the open air.

Interestingly I hadn't considered a bird until one day when it suddenly occurred to me. I quickly did the research and Syd just seemed to come into my life as if it was meant to be. We are pretty bonded and I hope that I am adding as much to his life as he has to mine.

If he was born in the right country in the wild I would never have dreamt of capturing him, putting him in a cage and taking him away from his natural life. But this guy was not born into a natural life and I see it as my obligation as well my pleasure to give him the best possible.

Rest easy, it would cruel beyond words to take your guy and dump him in the vain hope that he would survive and live well. He would have the worst short existence imaginable and add to that the great loss he would feel that his best mate had left him. How can that action be regarded as setting free?

I have NO moral problems.....I love my bird and he loves me. I do everything I can to make his life happy and exciting and fun. In the wild he'd just be sitting on a branch all day long eating occasionally. He experiences music, art, comedy, love, wrestling, with the person he loves most....(even though he was probably born near here in Minnesota from a breeder that sold him to petco)

I think some animals kept by owners that don't care have a bad life, but I think if clark could type he'd say he has a very satisfying quality of life.

The one thing you can do to alive your guilt...give your bird the best life you can imagine he/she wants. Not for nothing most pet birds aren't captured in the wild anymore they are bred by breeders. It's an artificial environment, but it's the only one they have ever known....releasing a bird out into the wild is basically cruel.

Nope, I don't feel guilty, but that's because I make a point to stay away from people who try and guilt anyone about anything. I'm happy, my birds have always been happy, why should I worry about anything else? Yay to living life glass half full!

Puck said:

Nope, I don't feel guilty, but that's because I make a point to stay away from people who try and guilt anyone about anything. I'm happy, my birds have always been happy, why should I worry about anything else? Yay to living life glass half full!

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I seriously think it's not really a moral problem within me, but a lot of people (family members and friends) who guilt me sometimes for keeping my parrot, I never had this issue from within until people started becoming obnoxious about me keeping a parrot; I need to get rid of negativity from my life.

I don't think anyone will say anything about me getting a bird. My immediate family is very excited. My inlaws live across the country. They generally are not pet friendly people anyway, so whatever, they probably won't understand. But it doesn't matter to me. It's my life and my choice. I worry much more about possibly doing something wrong since it's been so long since I've had a bird.