Wildlife

The Welfare of Songbirds in the Illegal Pet Trade

Wild songbird trapping for the caged bird trade continues in many regions, causing significant mortality and welfare suffering from capture through to confinement.

Key Facts

An estimated 11-36 million birds are illegally caught and traded in the Mediterranean annually
Finch, thrush, and bunting species are particularly targeted for singing ability
Mortality rates during capture and illegal transport can exceed 70%
Trappers use mist nets, glue traps, and decoy birds to capture wild songbirds
Italy banned songbird trapping in 2000 but enforcement remains inconsistent

Welfare Considerations

Wild-caught songbirds experience an extreme welfare trajectory: capture trauma, transport in overcrowded containers, and lifetime confinement in small cages unable to fly or perform any normal migratory or territorial behavior. Many die within weeks. Those that survive experience chronic stress from confinement, often developing stereotypic repetitive movements. Consumer demand in Mediterranean countries and parts of East Asia drives continued poaching pressure.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wild-caught songbirds or other wild birds as pets
Support BirdLife International campaigns against illegal bird trapping in the Mediterranean
Report suspected illegal bird trapping or sales to wildlife authorities
Donate to CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) field monitoring programs