A Plea for Communication Between Those Who Study Birds in the Wild and Those Who Live With Companion Birds
“Are you interested in mammals?” That’s a question you don’t often hear. But you might be asked, “Are you interested in birds?” Yet the bird world is the more diverse, with thousands more avian species than mammal species. Despite this variety, “bird people” frequently are perceived by others as one monolithic group. In truth, there is a divide rarely crossed. Ornithologists (who study wild birds) and aviculturists (who care for captive birds) might as well be on separate planets.
The most negative, and unfair, views underlying this split are:
•Aviculturists are in it for money, are not interested in science or conservation, are cruel, or are weirder counterparts of the stereotypical cat ladies.
•Ornithologists live in their own asocial bubble, are concerned with obscure details of little interest to others, do not care about individual birds so are therefore often cruel.
The truth is that the two groups could both benefit from sharing experiences. Each could discover much to learn and much to enjoy if the gulf were bridged.
At The Plumery, our goals include fostering the best care for companion parrots, promoting conservation, and redirecting people who are drawn to parrots but may not be able to provide a good home for a companion bird.
•Care for companion parrots
Obviously, to provide appropriate care for a parrot requires some knowledge of the life of that species in the wild. Beyond accumulating specific information, it is also important to develop an appreciation of the vast difference between life in nature and life in a human home. Learning not only about our parrot species but also about backyard birds can enhance that appreciation.
•Fostering conservation
In our educational materials, online library, and interactions with the public, conservation is a frequent topic. This includes warnings about habitat loss, the horrors of the illegal pet trade, and smuggling. Ornithologists share these concerns.
•Redirection
It is understandable that many people who meet charismatic parrots feel an impulse to have one in their home. We do our best to explain the challenges for both bird and human when they share a living room. We strive to suggest alternatives such as volunteering at a bird facility, becoming a backyard birder, or working to preserve habitat around the world.
Those are all good reasons for us to learn from ornithologists, but the reverse is also true. We who live with parrots may have a view of their behavior not available to one glimpsing them only in the wild. Ornithologists have been prompted to try to understand cockatoos’ sense of rhythm and African greys’ ability to mimic because of observations of companion birds. And wouldn’t any ornithologist welcome the opportunity to interact with, touch, and share a treat with a bird who is not afraid?
Yes, there are significant differences between the worlds of ornithology and aviculture, but can we talk? I think we would all enjoy some hybridization.
Comentários