Birds of Prey

[Yambasticks]

This is a question really for Shanlung, but finding his link is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But here is a question for everyone.

I live in that ever famed place where we have The Birds of Prey. At first I wanted to find a trike with a basket on it to take Neekko for rides, but we never did find a trike, its been crazy and now i'm thinking its probably good that we diddn't.

why? Because apparently we live close enough that many raptures fly over our home, as if a family, frequently.... So what do you do? how would you protect even your own large bird as you ran around town giving him thrills? or do you just simply do what I'm doing he's staying inside, and I'm not risking him or the other birds either! Any answers?

[Macawpower58]

As long as they're not flying, not left alone on a perch outside, they should be safe from birds of prey hunting.

I take mine outside quite often, we also have hawks abounding. Mine are kept on my hand though, with either my fingers latching over their feet, or a harness on.

Free flighted birds are in more danger, and knowing the hunting times of your local raptors is probably a good idea.

[Yambasticks]

I thought about that too, but two thoughts crossed my mind: 1. is written clearly on one of their posts, sometimes a rapture will show up on you/ too you, something of the sort quite unexpectedly- gave brief instructions of what to do, and then I've heard horror stories of hawks, and eagles and the likes coming right onto people's front porches just to drag someone's bird off.
I would think the same thing, still thinking on it, but even if I were able to work out a trike and basket thing there are some things that would have to be worked out. thanks Becky.
yes they circle our home several times a day. I think its a mama and papa hawk really, but whos to know if it isn't 2 pairs or not.

[davlin47]

Hello

Keep them with you as long as you can. Build a house in your garden so they can enjoy there.

Thanks

[Dirky47]

As long as they're not flying, not left alone on a perch outside, they should be safe from birds of prey hunting.

That's right! Keep on taking care of the birds. Build an specific place just for them.

[Yambasticks]

In most cases it applies, but I've read horror stories about birds in enclosed areas like porches where the bird of prey broke in and drug pet birds off, however I've come up with an idea is an enclosed carriage ought to help eliminate the chances.
Although wonderous, we do have one or two birds of prey families that live close and often circle our home. Awsome creatures, but um my birds matter to me. I'm not about to let a big bird, big as me take off with one of my feathered angels. Wish some of you could see this.........

[TILLYT]

not sure what raptures are?? do you mean Raptors? the way to keep your bird safe from them is to not expose them to birds of prey.
i certainly wouldnt put any of my birds on a trike to cycle around with them. this is cruel and can cause a bird large amounts of anxiety.

[Yambasticks]

these are giant birds such as Eagles, and Hawks, and more, Vultures, and the like with gigantic wing spans and could even tear humans apart, on one tour it even has a recommendation what to do if you come face to face with one, and lets just say escape from them according to what I read isn't easy. YOu want your own flesh in tact, be careful.
Strangly enough my own son is gifted enough to be able to call one of these giants to him if he wishes. Made me glad he wasn't home for family reunion cuz we went on the long tour, there is also a building where some people brave enough work with them or show them off haven't been there yet, but I've seen many over the hills, cliffs, near the cities, and unfortunately one or two families near our home.
Do I ever want to meet one face to face?
Forget it, I'll run like mad to get away, and yet that isn't the recommendation. If I remember correctly its stand perfectly still, do nothing, and I can't remember if you wait for it to back away or you move slowly, but even once out of range, be careful, they can still come after you.
they are awsome creatures, and God put them here for a reason, and I suspect that even shooting a hawk here could be, maybe is a federal offense. Perhaps if I ever get a camera, and visit the place and show you the common place I'll put some footage here, but right now hubby is too busy, and I'm not computer smart enough to do it but it will have to wait, but no taking my angels out even for a strohl isn't worth the risk.........

[Macawpower58]

Originally Posted by TILLYT

not sure what raptures are?? do you mean Raptors? the way to keep your bird safe from them is to not expose them to birds of prey.
i certainly wouldnt put any of my birds on a trike to cycle around with them. this is cruel and can cause a bird large amounts of anxiety.

Hum, you seem to have a very limited view of parrots Tilly.

Mine love car rides, they've gone to festivals, fairs, and fundraisers. They love to go into the store and exchange hellos with the customers, they've been on TV and in the newspaper, etc.... I'd love to bicycle with mine, but alas they weren't thrilled with that idea. I do know two parrots in my town though, who do like to ride with their owners, and they also go to the festivals and carnivals we have.

My birds need to be told I'm being cruel, and causing them stress and anxiety. No more shish-ka-bobs for them? No more outings? Poor birds.

[TILLYT]

my point is its un-natural, just like when you see crazy people on TV who put their birds on little surf boards etc and say "my bird loves it"... human beings have a terrible habit of forcing human emotion onto animals.
We all know its natural to dress up chimps and make them act human (NOT).
Same thing as seeing elephants in the circus balancing on balls or standing on their heads.
thankfully these things are now frowned upon more and more.

[Macawpower58]

What's natural? Sitting in a cage all day watching the world pass them by? Talking pretty so you'll feed them a treat? This is natural?

I also ask if they'd like to go for a ride. Sometimes they do, sometimes they prefer not to. I respect their decisions. They know store, car, park. They also know very well if they want to come or not.

[Yambasticks]

good heavens, I in no means would put my bird in some side show!! My birds needs stimulation, execise, and like Becky said they'd go for car rides in stores if permitted. The trike idea is simply to peddle Neekko for a strohl around the block because he can't do it normally without a missing foot.
Raptures are very large preditory birds, and if you remember right a while back Becky posted a picture of a large rapture dong his best to capture a swan, This is what my concern is. I'm not letting these big critters come in for the kill, and yes I like putting my birds out in the sunshine, taking them for a walk around the block. But show them off in a resturant, a circus? Get real! Very few people know how to incorporate kindness, training and circus tricks with birds So no, I only want a trike with an enclosure to peddle neekko for an around the block strohl.

[TILLYT]

Originally Posted by Macawpower58

What's natural? Sitting in a cage all day watching the world pass them by? Talking pretty so you'll feed them a treat? This is natural?.

Sorry but i fail to see where i said keeping birds sitting in a cage all day watching the world go by waiting for treats is natural.
i didnt say that.

[Macawpower58]

Originally Posted by TILLYT

Sorry but i fail to see where i said keeping birds sitting in a cage all day watching the world go by waiting for treats is natural.
i didnt say that.

You're right, and I did over exaggerate what you said. But to hear you flat out state that riding on a trike was cruel, abusive, unnatural, and was sure to stress out a bird, as was taking them outside where raptors live, was IMO, small minded and plain wrong.

Every aspect of parrot ownership is unnatural. Parrots should have the sky as their playground (not a living room), they should have the treetops as their beds (not a cage), and they should have the company of a flock with a lifelong mate (not humans). Their every moment should be engaged in communicating, searching for food, striving for survival, and raising their young. Their world should be endlessly stimulating and exciting.

They're not so delicate that a trip outdoors (I admit I use a harness for safety) should send them into a panic. Parrots live for stimulation. I do my best to offer mine every bit I can. Most every thing we (my parrots and I) do, they do like and enjoy. It's easy to tell when they're not happy with what we're doing.

I so dislike the age old view that parrots should be safely kept behind our safe house walls. They deserve so much more.

[TILLYT]

good points Becky but its just not for me. if its not something a bird would do in its natural state then its just something i wouldnt do with my birds.
guess its a matter of opinion.