Saddened and angered by overkill
One of my students arrived half an hour late and in tears. It turns out that the mayor of Sevilla, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to combat the local "pigeon problem" by importing lesser kestrels and setting them free in the city, hoping they will prey on the pidgeons and doves. Yes...but they are also attacking and killing caged birds, which in our warm climate are often placed on windowsills and balconies. It seems when my student got home from the university she found her canary torn into pieces. The kestrel had perched on the bars and reached through to grasp the canary and try to remove it by force using beak and claw.
This is all down to the fear of "bird flu". They have already removed the populations of tame ducks on ponds and artificial lakes (and where they went, no one knows), and now the pigeons are next...they can't tell people they can't have dovecotes, they just move in the predators, which will now prey indiscriminately on all birds smaller than themselves. Not to mention smaller mammals.
It's the lack of research that bothers me...she is not the first to lose a beloved companion in this way.
That's a stinking shame. Has there been an outbreak of bird flu in Spain? If there hasn't they are probably just using that as an excuse to "clean up" the city's "pigeon problem". Bird cages put outside and not watched put their occupants in harms way. When I was a baby, my mother's friend had a parakeet that she had taught to call "Kitty, Kitty". That was cute but she put the bird out on a window sill one spring. A cat came, knock over its cage and ate it. If someone keeps a living being caged, he/she is responsible for protecting it, IMHO. That's probably why your student is taking the death so hard! :'(
That's what makes it so rotten, T. There has never been a suspected case, even, closer than old East Germany. It's overkill...and as you say, a way to lower municipal expenses by getting rid of the pidgeons. I hate to think what may have happened to the ducks (who had been pinioned to keep them on the ponds in the first place.)
But moving a non-native predator into this city is not the answer. What are they going to move in when the kestrels become a problem--condors?
What are they going to move in when the kestrels become a problem--condors?
This sentiment made me laugh out loud. Not because it's ha-ha funny, but because it demonstrates just how insane it was to bring in kestrels. It is so sad residents can't let their pet birds get some fresh air and sunshine now. :(
That's a stinking shame. Has there been an outbreak of bird flu in Spain? If there hasn't they are probably just using that as an excuse to "clean up" the city's "pigeon problem". Bird cages put outside and not watched put their occupants in harms way. When I was a baby, my mother's friend had a parakeet that she had taught to call "Kitty, Kitty". That was cute but she put the bird out on a window sill one spring. A cat came, knock over its cage and ate it. If someone keeps a living being caged, he/she is responsible for protecting it, IMHO. That's probably why your student is taking the death so hard! :'(
I have to agree (with a sadly, things happen)with you TinTexas. I have pet birds. Have had canaries and budgies and a parrot. I now have 4 budgies and an African Grey (Biko will be 18 on June 1st).
When I got them, I realized it was my responsibility to protect them.
I do know the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. So in the summer I bring my parrot outside with me. I clip his wings. He can still fly down but can not fly over a roof. He loves being outside with me. Never left alone without me. He prefers walking to flying anyway.
I used to put the canaries in a smaller cage as they had a huge flight cage and would sit outside with them for an hour to get the sun and the fresh air. Never unattended.
This summer I plan on doing the same with the budgies.
There are too many threats for unattended birds here. Squirrels will try to get them. Yes squirrels have and do kill birds. There are cats and dogs.
My two birds cages, both huge (Biko's is about the size of two fridges...it is meant for a Macaw but my Biko only deserves the best and the budgies cage is a huge flight cage that could easily house 10 budgies) have special floor lamp with a special light that has all the benefits of the sun. Didn't put the budgies in the big canary flight cage as canary bars are vertical (aren't climbers) and budgies need horizonital bars as they love to climb.
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=5&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=2&SearchContext=YTo2OntzOjg6IlNlYXJjaElEIjtzOjE6IjIiO3M6MTA6IkRhdGFiYXNlSUQiO3M6MToiMiI7czo4OiJLZXl3b3JkcyI7czo4OiJMaWdodGluZyI7czo3OiJIZWFkaW5nIjtzOjU6IkF2aWFuIjtzOjg6IlNlYXJjaF94IjtzOjI6IjEzIjtzOjg6IlNlYXJjaF95IjtzOjI6IjE2Ijt9
Worth looking in to if one keeps pet birds.
Of course, in many countries such as Spain, they don't have the luxury of being able to get the amazing pet supplies we can get in Canada and the US. I know Yabbitgirl can not get bird toys that stimulate the mind. Or a huge cage. When I heard that, I went on a little shopping spree and bought Sweetheart some fun, safe, bright stimulating toys and perches. I guess I was playing Santa's little elf in a birdy sort of way.
In Mexico, I have seen many small birds caged outdoors. I am sure for the same reason as to provide fresh air and natural sun. Again, I doubt bird supplies are easy to find there. As well, I believe their guardians feel they are doing the right thing.
I get pigeons and squirrels on my balcony. Not a safe haven for pet birds. Pigeons can carry disease and well, squirrels can eat them.
Again, I believe the people putting their pet birds outdoors are doing so because they want their bird to reap the benefits of nature and it is very sad that a non native species has been brought in.
Time and time again, history has proven when one does that, it totally f*cks up the eco system. It never is a good thing.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what we think we are doing right to protect our companion animals.
I have had a canary and a budgie killed by my cats over the last 20 years.
On vacation in Jamaica over 15 years ago, the cats figured out how to open the canary cage. One of my canaries flew out. Thankfully the others stayed in the cage. My cats killed B. Marley Rastazan. My dad was so upset that he called Jamaica and told my mom as he didn't want me coming home and not knowing what happened to him. Of course he had no idea which canary it was so I cried the whole flight home not knowing who I was going to grieve over. I then made the cage so cat proof that I could barely get in to it.
Years later, I came home from work and wondered what the little green thing was on my kitchen floor. It was Elliot Clayton, my budgie without a head. The cats had figured out how to open that cage. He was the only one that left the cage. Now my cages are like fortresses. Although the cats are all terrified of Biko. He walks up to them and says, hi..how are you doing and then chomps on a tail or paw.
Many wonder why one would have birds and cats in the same house. In twenty years, I have lost two beloved pets from something I should or could have prevented.
It was an extremely hard lesson to learn and very painful for me. Also the guilt associated with it was very hard to live with.
None the less, there is no easy answer. Birds do benefit from fresh air and natural or very good simulated sunshine.
We all learn lessons the hard way. Not just with our beloved companion animals but life in general.
Very sad about Yabbit's student. She lost a pet she truly loved and thought she was doing the right thing. I see many budgies and canary cages outdoors here. Without supervision. It isn't that that they are doing something wrong as they believe they are doing the right thing. I have known many birds that live outdoors in good weather without incident.
I had my place painted years ago and all the birds had to live on the balcony for 3 days until the fumes left. I panicked but I had to risk it because paint fumes can kill birds.
We all try to do right by our pets. No one plans on horrible things happening.
OK, once again I have rambled.
Veg On!
Di
Thanks Di. I know Anna Mary was broken hearted, she came to me in tears and when I tried to comfort her she pulled away because as she said, "If you're nice to me I won't be able to stop crying." Tears come to my eyes every time I think of it.
She's not the only one who has lost a beloved companion, because in the first place the Mayor and his crew (I don't know the word for "ayuntamiento" as an administrative body in English) took this decision without informing the press or anyone until it had been done. There were no warnings sent out to tell people to bring their birds indoors. And as you say, it's traditional to put birds outside to get some air and light, so they probably wouldn't think about predators that aren't native to here.
Not only that but I expect a marked drop in the population of native songbirds, blackbirds, sparrows etc. as well as pigeons. Kestrels don't discriminate when they're hungry. Small mammals, up to a half-grown puppy or kitten, are also at risk.
That's incredibly sad! I also believe it to be an incredibly stupid thing to bring in non-native predators as they will be upsetting the natural balance of things. In the long run this can cause great damage. I just wish people would REALLY think before reacting! >:( :(