Round about the 1960s the triumphant move-in of the budgies as pets in
German homes began. But Pucki, Hansi and Peterle - those were the most
popular names of the cute and funny housemates at that time - virtually
struggled for a miserable existence at most bird keepers' homes judged
by today's state of knowledge regarding bird care which is appropriate
to the species. Nearly no budgie was granted to spend their life with a
fellow bird. The animals were accepted as family members and in most
cases far too much humanised, due in great part to their in some cases
extraordinary talent to imitate human speech.
Up to the
1980s almost every budgerigar-book said the birds could be kept alone,
with a mirror and a plastic bird if you didn't have time to play with
them. These views are today not only seen as totally outdated but
appear even cruel, as it is known meanwhile that mirrors and plastic
birds actually are the cause for some diseases, because of which they
are banned as adverse to animal welfare here in Germany.
Regrettably it still did not get around to every bird keeper, that
solitary keeping of budgies and other parrots is not appropriate to the
species and therefore not suitable. Moreover, many people who have only
one budgie react hackled up or irritated if you try to point out that
drawback. "My bird does not suffer, he is fine!" - This is probably the
most common reply in this context.
But does that really correspond with reality if you look at the circumstances in which a solitary bird lives in an objective way and without reservations, verifying if those parakeets are leading a life appropriate to the species? This question is not easy to answer. Please read the chapter "What does species-appropriate budgie keeping mean?".
Link tip: Please watch the Video against solitary
keeping made by Welli.net. It is available on Youtube
.
German version of this text: Gaby
Schulemann-Maier,
English translation of this chapter: Tanni
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