The Avian
Welfare Coalition tells us that captive birds are the third most popular animal
kept as 'pets' in the U.S. As a result, the problems facing the millions of
parrots and other exotic birds in the pet trade are numerous and pervasive.
While prices for
medium and large exotic birds range from $500 to $2000, veterinary expenses
resulting from illness or problems caused by improper handling can cost
consumers thousands of dollars more. Many consumers who purchase birds from pet
stores are faced not only with these monetary costs, but also with the
emotional distress of caring for a bird sold prematurely or an ill bird who may
not live due to the conditions they were kept while in a pet store, or due to
the lack of education and proper screening provided by the pet store.
Please note: our source for this
photo identified the bird as a Scarlet Macaw. However, one of our alert
visitors brought to our attention that it is actually a Green Wing Macaw.
Either way, it is a beautiful bird!
http://animal-world.com/
and http://www.petbirdpage.com/ are good resources for
descriptions and identifying characteristics of the various types of Macaws.
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