Pet Shop Haven

Some birds have a way of bringing out the worst in humanity. Perhaps it is an unconscious fear implanted by movies and literature. Take for example the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds" and you get a sense of how ominous and even perhaps deadly some wild birds are to mankind. Look at what a flock of crows is called. It is called a murder. Certain birds have been associated with death and even as messengers of death. Perhaps it is just a bum rap but regardless, mankind has this fascination with anything avian.

The raven and the crow have definitely been portrayed in a bad light as the birds that you do not want to have around. Edgar Allen Poe turned the raven into a sinister messenger of doom with its cries of "nevermore." Readers have been fascinated with his portrayal of the raven. Even fairytales have plugged away at the image of the crow/raven. Take for example Disney's classic tale of "Sleeping Beauty." The villainess has a crow/raven that is used as her evil spy.

The wild bird definitely deserves some respect. It is just like other wild animal. You have to keep in mind that it is territorial, will defend itself and has to find a food source. And while crows/ravens have received some bad press thanks to authors and filmmakers, vultures and other carrion eating birds have repulsed mankind for eons. This bird species is a scavenger. Anytime you see vultures or buzzards circling in the air, you know that there is either something dying or something that has already died. Most people do not set up bird feeders to attract these types of birds. They want colorful birds, songbirds and delicate hummingbirds to grace their gardens and yards.

Perhaps it is time that people got over their fear of the birds that have gotten such a tough break in literature and movies. You do not have to worry about going outside and a murder of crows attacking you for no reason. The raven is not a symbol of death or a portent of bad things ahead. They are just two legged, winged wild animals that serve a specific function in the animal kingdom.

If you are thinking of having birds of the wild as pets, then there are a few things that you should know. Not all exotic birds flourish well in captivity and even native birds that you can find in a nearby wooded area may not make good pets. These are wild animals that deserve your respect. It may look pretty on the branch, sing like an angel from above or be incredibly cool looking, but it does not mean that they should be caged and treated the same as your beloved pet cat or dog.

Wild birds include a wide variety of species. In fact, there are 10,000 different species of birds living on the planet right now. Some you can find at zoos that have a special bird house or exhibit. But in case you missed the lectures given by wildlife professionals, here is a bit of information that you might want to consider. For many years it was considered trendy and alternative to own a crow or a raven. This species of bird is completely black and has been written about many times. Many owners of this species of bird would slit the birds tongue because they thought it would make them speak in the same manner as a parrot. Unfortunately, movies often portrayed the raven or crow as a speaking bird. This damages the bird and can cause it great pain. It can also interfere with the bird's eating habits. Take a pass on this bird if you are lonely and just want to talk; buy a Ham radio and try communicating with other humans.

Some birds of the wild have been successfully domesticated. The parrot is a great example of a wild bird that has found its way into many homes. Unfortunately, not all parrot owners are aware of the great responsibility it takes to train this bird. You have to know how to care for it appropriately and you have to know the correct way to train the parrot if you want it to talk. Far too many parrots wind up in rescue groups because their owners did not know what they were getting into.

Birds of certain species do make great pets. Canaries are great birds to own. Not only do they fall into the songbirds species but they also are small and relatively easy to care for. One thing to definitely keep in mind is that all birds are wild animals. Many birds will bite and claw at their owners. The owner gets frustrated and leaves the bird confined in the cage without proper handling. Before you make that next pet purchase, seriously consider the effect it will have on your life and household.