Welfare of Animals in the Pet Bird Trade

The cage bird trade involves millions of birds annually — wild-caught and captive-bred — with welfare harms concentrated in wild-capture, transport, and inadequate captive conditions.

Key Facts

Approximately 2-5 million wild birds are traded internationally every year despite legal restrictions
Wild-caught birds have mortality rates of 60-80% before reaching retail consumers
Budgerigars and canaries bred in captivity for generations have very different welfare profiles than wild-caught birds
Avian influenza risks from the wild bird trade led to significant trade restrictions post-2004
EU import ban on wild-caught birds in 2005 dramatically reduced but did not eliminate the trade

Welfare Considerations

Wild-caught bird trade welfare harm is extreme from capture through retail: net capture, transport in darkened containers with high mortality, quarantine stress, and then retail display under inappropriate conditions. Captive-bred birds have much better welfare trajectories if purchased from responsible breeders and housed appropriately. The continuing demand for wild-caught birds in markets with weak enforcement drives sustained trapping pressure on declining wild populations.

What You Can Do

Only purchase captive-bred birds from reputable breeders — never wild-caught birds
Research species-specific needs thoroughly before acquiring any pet bird
Support Birdlife International campaigns against wild bird trade in key supplier countries
Advocate for CITES enforcement improvements to stop illegal wild bird trade in your country