The wild bird trade causes immense suffering to captured birds and threatens wild populations. Understanding the scale and impacts supports informed advocacy.
The wild bird trade inflicts tremendous suffering on individual birds from the moment of capture. Capture methods including mist nets and glue traps cause injury. Transport in overcrowded containers without adequate food, water, or temperature control kills enormous numbers. Survivors face the stress of captivity in environments entirely unsuited to their needs. The welfare case against the wild bird trade is overwhelming, quite apart from conservation concerns.