Parrot Wild-Caught Trade: Welfare and Conservation

Despite international restrictions, the wild-caught parrot trade continues to cause enormous welfare harm and threatens wild parrot populations globally.

Key Facts

CITES Appendix I listing of many parrot species prohibits commercial international trade but not domestic trade in range countries
An estimated 75% of wild-caught parrots die before reaching the final consumer due to capture, transport and holding stress
Grey parrots, hyacinth macaws and yellow-naped Amazon parrots are among the most heavily traded wild-caught species
Laundering of wild-caught birds through fraudulent captive-breeding documentation is widespread
Wild parrot populations of many species have declined significantly due to habitat loss combined with trade pressure

Welfare Considerations

The wild-caught parrot trade causes extraordinary individual and population-level welfare harm. Birds are typically captured using glue traps, nets or by taking chicks from nests - all methods causing acute suffering. Mortality during transport from dehydration, stress, injury and disease is massive. Birds that survive to reach buyers frequently suffer from post-traumatic stress, feather-destructive behaviour and inability to adjust to captivity. Eliminating demand for wild-caught parrots is the most powerful individual action available.

What You Can Do

Never purchase parrots from sellers who cannot provide credible documentation of captive breeding
Adopt rather than buy parrots from specialist rescues where many ex-wild-caught birds need homes
Report suspected wild-caught parrot imports to CITES enforcement authorities
Advocate for stricter enforcement of CITES parrot trade restrictions in range and destination countries
Support conservation organisations working to protect wild parrot habitat and populations