Why do humans lock up birds in cages?
Birds have wings and are supposed to fly. Why do humans feel it’s acceptable to lock them in cages? If you own a bird in a cage, I’d like to hear your justification for doing so.
Birds have wings and are supposed to fly. Why do humans feel it’s acceptable to lock them in cages? If you own a bird in a cage, I’d like to hear your justification for doing so.
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Like other exotic, wild animals, parrots usually fail to fulfill most people’s expectations as companion animals because their natural instincts, needs, and behaviors conflict with ours. Misinformed mass marketing, production breeding, and the trendy attraction and availability of exotic pets in our country are compelling more and more unprepared people to acquire birds on impulse. When parrots do not live up to their expectations, people often become disenchanted and want to rid themselves of the responsibility of caring for these birds. Consequently, the number of birds entering the pet trade only to be misunderstood, abused, neglected, and abandoned is soaring.
Captive birds cannot be returned to the wild, since they do not possess the learned skills necessary to survive; nor can they be set free to fend for themselves. We, therefore, have an ethical responsibility to provide the best care possible for those living in captivity.
Parrots and other exotic birds deserve the same protection—including legal safeguards and shelter for those victimized by abuse, neglect, or displacement—afforded to domestic pets and other wild animals.
I dunno, but i can lock you and me up in a cage, and we can get friskayyy. bye<3
I don’t have a bird. But if you wanted a pet bird then it makes since that you put them in a cage, they can still fly around in a cage. You can’t train a lot of birds like you can dogs. If they aren’t restrained somehow then they will just fly away and die in the cold or from not knowing how to get food.
becuase domesticated birds are incapable of taking care of its self so if you feel that way then leave your own son or daughter outside in the streets alone and leave it for a week without letting it in if you cant do that then dont complain about birds in cages
Owning a bird always seemed a little weird to me, too. I think especially as a kid. I mean, a dog seems like he’s having a good time, you know? He gets fed, gets to play a little frizbee, gets to hang with his dog friends at the doggie park, runs around in the yard, goes to the beach with you, etc. Owning a bird just seems kinda selfish and cruel. Thanks for listening!
I do not own a bird.
At one time birds were brought down into the mines with mine workers. Their first responsibility was to warn the miners of gases that could seep into working spaces. If the birds stopped singing or fainted then the workers knew that they needed to get out quickly. I am also told (by old relatives) that the sound of birds would keep them from going crazy 1/2 mile down with no sunshine or fresh air all day.
so they won’t fly away?
i have 2 cockateils that come out every day for play and a roam around, they are not locked up and left alone in their cage, they have a lovely life.
Because we’re selfish.
Birds don’t belong in cages or as pets, period. The only justifiable excuse for anyone to have a bird in their home is simply because they’ve adopted it from a sanctuary — and there wouldn’t be thousands of unwanted birds to begin with if we didn’t feel the constant need to own and have control over every beautiful thing around us.
And I really do have to comment on what "alfredo.correa54" said — your excuse is ridiculously silly. There is no such thing as a domesticated bird any more than there is such thing as a domesticated lion or giraffe. There’s a huge difference between a domesticated animal (which takes hundreds of years to perfect) and an animal that knows nothing but humans (for instance, I can own a lion and have it rely on me for its basic necessities but that does not mean I can put it on a leash and call it my pet).
An animal that is domesticated will not self-mutilate itself. Have you ever stepped into a bird sanctuary? Do you have any idea how many parrots have picked their skin, leaving bloody holes in their chest? Or how many have literally lost their minds and pace their cages, sometimes throwing themselves against the bars, breaking bones? Thousands upon thousands — even when kept in perfect condition, even when given constant attention and love. Guess what? There has never, ever been documented proof that WILD parrots exhibit this behavior — NONE.
An animal that is domesticated will not attack their owners at random. Do you have any idea how many parrots are abandoned when they become mature and start having fits and bad days where they want to rip their "owners" to shreds?
How is that a domesticated animal that is adjusted to living with humans?
Please explain it to me because I’m baffled.
Well uh I have 3 parakeets. They live in a cage and everyday they get to be let out to fly and play on top of the cage. They really love it. Now a days we provide large rommy cages with toys and swings for birds to play with. We even have bird playgyms for them to play swith outside of the cage.
Because in a home birds can hurt themselves when you are cooking ,when the dog comes in and gets curios,or when your front door is open they can fly away and starve/freeze,they can drown in the toilet,get into places or eat things they shouldnt,fly into windows ,get stuck behind dressers,dryers,or behind furnaces,refridgerators with open blades in them,and generally like children hurt themselves.Its to keep them safe and healthy.Also all birds need to have their wings trimmed at least once in their life so you can get near them and train them,so its not always feasible that they fly.
if you didn’t put them in cages they would poo all over the house duh!
Why do humans put fish in a glass tank???
My birds are always playing on their stand during the day, however, they are confined to a cage during the night time. I do go to work, but there is someone in the house with the birds, and if she leaves, they go inside. Why? Well, birds need to fly, I agree, but I only do this to protect them from many dangers of the home. My flock has their wing’s clipped, only to keep them safe. I feel that it is acceptable to do this, because being in a cage for a 15 minutes to an hour is way better than death. For that time during the night? Birds need a time to slow down and get rest, just as we do. I am sleeping, and my girlfriend is sleeping, meaning there isn’t anyone to take care of the birds and to keep an eye out for them.
i have 2 birds in one cage…a BIG cage..i let them fly around my room, for 20 minutes..and i will bring them over to my freinds house and let them all play together! I also have a dog…they r dif! but i treat all with respect, even if i dont get it back..my dog seems easier to train tho..
I feel very sad to see a bird been lock up in a cage. But if I am a bird, and been lock up in a cage, I will feel very sad. I mean birds should be free and soar in up in the blue sky. Those people who keep birds, they will lock a bird in a cage. Because they don’t want their pet bird to fly away from their owners.
Why do humans put their babies in playpens or cribs (basically cages) don’t ya think??
Umm… they don’t? Unless it’s a large aviary, a bird should never be locked up permanently in a cage… that’s animal cruelty.
People seem to always centre birds on their wings and their need to fly. Birds are so much more than that. What birds need more than a need to fly, is a happy and fun life and plenty of social interaction every day, just like us.
A bird cared for properly gets at least a few hours out of its cage everyday to interact and play with its owner, whom it has a close connection with. It gets a good, varied, and interesting diet, not just bird seed. The cage is placed where it can see people (and maybe other birds) throughout the day. When alone, it has plenty of toys to play with and sometimes even a DVD to watch (there are DVDs just for birds) or the radio on.
Birds have a close friendship and bond with their owners and a bird looked after properly is a happy bird. And trust me, it isn’t that hard to tell the difference between a happy bird and upset bird. You can’t just neglet a bird, it will give you hell with it’s screaming and feather plucking.
A cage should never be a prison. It’s the bird’s room, it’s own space. How would you like it if you didn’t have your own room? And it should never kept permanently in there.
I have many stories of similar cases, but once, one of my zebra finches escaped from my outdoor aviary. For hours he kept flying at and around the aviary, despretely trying to find a way back it. It was his home. Did that sound like he wanted to be ‘free’?
It is acceptable to keep birds born in captivity in cages. As long as they are cared for properly. Keeping them in there all the time and not giving them the attention they deserve and need however, is cruel.
My birds are very happy and healthy, and they show it. That’s my justification.
EDIT: As to why… my bird is one of my closest friends. When the world is against me, he is always so happy to see me, no matter what. He is so playful and funny. We have a bond, we preen each other and play and eat together and I even read books to him which he loves. He is a great companion and friend.
same reason they chain dogs and put them in kennels.
god created man (adam – see genesis…) as the master of all the creatures (he is more intelligent, free will, ability to speak and listen and learn) and therefore he has the ability to rule them.
I own 5 cockatiels and 2 conures and i DO NOT believe in putting birds in cages. My birds have their own room and are fully flighted.
Simple answer: Because we can.
People covet birds’ beauty, companionship, and ability to fly. Some even for their ability to repeat and/or learn to use a language we understand. Once one is acclimated to having a bird as a pet, one’s life truly is richer. From your tone you seem to have never known the joys of really sharing your life with a bird. If you’ve never loved a bird, I honestly feel sorry for your loss. If you have loved a bird, I’m sorry you come off as rather hostile towards bird owners.
The birds in my home were mostly adopted from others after the novelty wore off. The ones that can safely come out of their cages are allowed out as much as possible. When not interacting with us their cages, a bedroom door, and a baby gate keep them safe from our terrier, who would gladly eat anything that squeaks, chirps, or peeps.
I used to want a large parrot until I started learning about falconry. Being able to go out and experience just a fraction of a hawk’s life as is should be appeals to me more than basically being stuck with a feathered infant for the rest of my life.
And just a quick note: not all birds can fly.
Birds are put into cages for THEIR protection!
Birds ( especially the larger ones) like to chew on electrical cords. They can easily be electrocuted if left to roam unsupervised. They can fall into toilets and drown. I even know of one who flew into a pot of boiling soup !!!!!!
Many birds will fly randomly, hitting walls , or try to fly through windows. To prevent injuries or DEATH, cages keep them safe.
My Quaker Parrot cannot see more than about 12 inches. If left on his own he can fly into walls, fall off tables, and knock things over on to himself. He can get lost and not be able to see well enough to find his way out from behind a couch. I would rather these things did NOT happen!
In addition, my birds get time out of their cages, as long as we are there to supervise and protect. Our Quaker Parrot even has a special Flight Suit which allows us to take him outside, shopping, to fairs and festivals, and other places. He sits on our shoulders and absolutely loves the attention he gets, the new sounds and experiences he is exposed to, and the new treats he chomps on ! Yet at the same time, he is SAFE!
I would like to hear YOUR justification for trying to convince people that they should follow a course of action which could injure or kill their bird!
Okay, first of all, when you first bring a bird home, they aren’t trained. Do you really think that its a good idea to let an untrained bird loose in you home where it could injure itself or escape? Once a bird is trained, then it can have "free time" out of the cage. Secondly, not all types of birds are trainable. I own two zebra finches which I do keep in a cage because they aren’t trained and for their own safety. I once had one of my finches accidentaly get out, and within the 10 minutes it took for me to catch her, she flew into three different walls and almost killed herself.
Its a proven fact that a caged bird will live a longer & safer life than an uncaged, outside bird.
Being a bird lover myself, have you ever taken the time to examine birds in the wild?
I hear people say "ohh I’d love to be as free as a bird, they can fly whereever they want and do as they please".
I can assure you that is not the case, all birds are very terratorial, Cow Birds & Blue Jays for example will destroy all nest eggs of other birds, and lay their own eggs in the host’s nest – the host must then bring up the Cow/Blue Jay’s hatchling, or they will be pecked to death.
Take a look at the common Grackle in a car park, frequently you will see feathers hanging off them, and a leg missing – the birds fight each other and will kill them if they need to.
So whilst I am a bird lover myself, I am not blind to the fact that they are not ‘peaceful’ animals who live best outside. Domesticated exotic birds fare much better in a cage than outside….
Please take the time to educate yourself first on a topic such as this, before making wild & ignorant statments.
PS, no I dont have a bird, but I fully intend on getting one someday. For the time being, I take pleasure in watching nature outside – but like I say, I am not blind to the truths of reality that even ‘wild animals’ have instincts far worse than humans!
If you wish to keep birds, it is the only alternative.
It is for the health and welfare of the bird. You provide a safe, clean environment with a good diet.
You interact with the bird to enrich its life.
It’s the same rationale that you keep your dog in the house in the winter.
In th perfect world, all birds would fly free with the fairys and pixies and there would be peace and harmony between all men.
Most captive birds would not exist if there was not a pet trade,
so–non existence to living in a cage.
It’s a choice you must make.
Birds can get into serious trouble and even injure themselves if they are let out free, they cant find their own food or water or find a right place for them to sleep and nest, UNLESS they are living in their wild natural environment like jungle and forest.
If you think they shouldn’t be in cage when they live in the city, you will find lots of dead bird all around the cities, that’s because they cant survive the polluted air, and they cant find the right food for them. So if we keep them in cage, it doesn’t mean we are being bad or rude to it, its because we are keeping them safe. But of course the cage must be big enough for the bird so it will feel comfortable.
Except for some bird like crow, pigeon, wild dove etc.
These bird are adapted to live in the city.
If you are talking something like "they shouldn’t be caged in the very beginning, and no cage should ever be made" Its too late buddy, now caged pet bird are all over the world and its 100% impossible to stop them from caging bird. And there are no other way of keeping pet bird safe from danger, except placing them in a right comfortable cage.
I had 3 pet bird and they are in cage only at night, to avoid them from getting into trouble in the morning. If I do let them out all the time, I probably would see them get stuck behind the wall decor, or electrocuted by the electrical device, or even get killed by crashing into mirror, glass, vase, etc.
I see u have no birds.So they do not hurt them self.Birds are like little kids.Into everything.My 7 birds get to come out and play every day.If i did not put them up at night ,Bad things can happen to them.Step on them,Dogs eat them up.Fly out when leave for work.I tell them at night,time to go to bed.They will fly up to there cage.And put them self up.I tell them they are good birds and thank u.If i could only get them to shut the doors on the cage.2 Quaker’s 3 lovebirds and 2 teals.
I have a very large cage for my lovie and she is able to fly. And actually many larger parrots rarely fly, they love to climb, and cage bars and branches in their cages are perfect. Good bird owners let their birds out everyday, a few times a day, to fly. My birds hardly ever fly, whether they are caged or not. Also, birds can get into lots of trouble if not properly housed. They chew EVERYTHING including electrical wires, piosneous plants, and treated wood from furniture. They also may not get along with other pets, not to mention they poo anywhere they please, which is not healthy. The realy questions you should be asking is why the heck people have wild animals like tigers.
And BTW Betternher, most birds bond with their owners and choose them as mates as wierd as it sounds and they love spending time with them but they also need their alone time. Many birds LOVE their cages and feel as if they are their own little birdy homes.
because they will fly and pooop wherever they go (and thats about every 2 minutes)
How else are you supposed to keep it
Let it outside a fly free? No. These are PET BIRDS and they have adapted to the indoors, and they can’t survive in the wild.
A cage is also for safety. If a cockatiel is allowed to roam free around the house, it will get hurt, especially when the humans aren’t home. They can chew on electrical cords, drown in a toilet, fly into a window or a mirror,chew on unsafe plants, ingest unsafe foods, get trapped in tight spaces, get their feet caught in unraveled carpet, etc etc. The list goes on.
Of course, I still let my bird out a lot. It’s acceptable for birds to be in cages, but absolutely unacceptable for them to be locked up in cages 24/7. My birdy’s on my shoulder right now, preening herself.