Question: is it possible to have a wild bird as a pet

Helen Gath answered on 17 Jun 2014:

Yes, in theory, you could have a wild bird as a pet, and in fact many people do. But sadly, these birds are usually illegally taken from the wild, often because they are very rare and unusual, and many people like to own rare, unusual things. These people often do not know much about the bird; they don’t know what to feed it, how much space it needs, what diseases it may carry. This can lead to an unhappy owner and a poorly cared for bird.

If you are very keen on the bird, and know very well how to look after it, then it is possible to successfully keep a wild bird. Some zoos and wildlife parks have birds which were once wild, but the zookeepers are very well educated in how to look after it and are dedicated to making sure it has a good quality of life.

Just like any other animal, the age of your bird when you first get it will affect how friendly it is towards you. Bring in an adult wild bird and he will be very defensive and scared of you. He has learnt in the wild to see you as a threat. Opposite ti this, if the bird knows you from a very young age, it becomes familiar with you and less scared of you. You could even build up a similar friendship to that you may have with your cat or dog.

If I were a wild bird, I think I would much rather stay free in the environment. Open skies and endless fields sound much better then being stuck in a cage!