Bird Abuse

So many of our feathery friends are abused every day. The reality is, bird abuse is a problem. But who thinks that it is a problem? Is it the birds? The animal control officers? The ones doing the abuse? The bystanders? The animal rights activists believe that it is “far from a free or happy life” (idausa.org). They are the ones who believe birds have feelings, too. They think that this “is one of the major problems” (Munez). But what do the people abusing the birds think? What do they think about what they are doing? Do they think that it is wrong? For example, in the Philipines, "It's a game of chance, and many... believe in chance, believe in luck, believe in getting money just like that, believing in miracles, it's a romantic notion of life. ...It's a gambling activity. People get money out of it. And so, in many provinces, particularly if there are no other jobs, one way to get money is through cockfighting," says Professor of Sociology Dr. Ricardo Abad (mangosubic.com). It would be easy to think what they were doing was the right thing. People lose their jobs and then it seems right to find any way to support your family (mangosubic.com) The reality is, birds are beaten, neglected, fought... and it is very important for you to be educated about this abuse, so lets break this down more.

Types of bird abuse how a bird may act if it is being abused:

  • You may often hear of dogs and cats being abused, but you probably don’t hear a lot about bird abuse (idausa.org). The fact is, birds are smuggled into countries illegally and bred to fight one another.

  • Most people believe that bird abuse is wrong because it hurts the birds, but some try to justify it because it has been happening for centuries. “There are also those who see rooster fighting as a traditional activity and part of their culture. Fighting has been known for over 3000 years! It was enjoyed in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It was also very popular in medieval Europe. In many countries this activity was considered noble and often the rooster fights became a national sport... Therefore, they believe that [rooster] fighting should be allowed and considered a sport that people enjoy.” Some people argue that different breeds of roosters also may have become extinct if not for cockfighting and smuggling (library.thinkquest.com).


Cockfighting:

  • Cockfighting is when two roosters are put head to head in a battle ring to the death. People can bet and make prophet from this (illegal), "sport."

  • A cockfight is a blood sport, held in a ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000 years. The first documented use of the word gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a "game", a sport, pastime or entertainment, was recorded in 1634, after the term "cock of the game" used by George Wilson, in the earliest known book on the sport of cockfighting in The Commendation of Cocks and Cock Fighting in 1607.

  • Cock fighting is one way that people earn money. This is where two roosters are placed in an arena with knives on their feet. They are bred to fight to the death. Even though it’s illegal in almost all of the United States, it still goes on here. Hundreds of thousands of dollars can be gambled as people bet on the roosters (petcaretips.net).

  • In organized cockfights, the roosters’ natural fighting instincts are exaggerated through breeding, feeding, training, steroids and vitamins. A bird may undergo several months of training before a fight, which may involve running long obstacle courses (and even treadmills) and practice fights with other roosters. Just before a fight, most of the bird’s feathers are plucked and the breeder cuts off the animal’s wattles—the combs below the beak—so that his opponent cannot tear them off.

  • Once in the ring, roosters often wear knives or artificial gaffs (long, dagger-like attachments) that are sharp enough to puncture a lung, pierce an eye or break bones in order to inflict maximum injury. Fights may be held in abandoned factories, backyards or even basements and can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. While the rules usually do not require one or both birds to die in order to declare a winner, death is often the outcome due to the severity of injuries.

Bird Smuggling:

  • Another way that people earn quick money is to smuggle birds. They are brought across the borders to be sold in the black market. Parakeets and parrots are two of the most common types. People love them for their bright feathers and are willing to pay a lot for them (Munez/ idausa.org). This can cause many other problems for the bird's well being and physical and mental health. This is abuse...


Hoarding of birds


Coloring and dying chicks:


Overall malnourishment and poor to no care of animal


Physical harm:

  • This can include hitting, punching, throwing, choking, shaking, kicking, in some cases tying


Citation: “Chickscope 1.5: Resources: From Egg to Chick.” Illinois.edu, 2022, chickscope.beckman.illinois.edu/resources/egg_to_chick/coloring.html. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

Here is a video about a woman who found colored chicks being sold in a pet store as Easter presents! Later on, they can just be thrown away because they will outgrow their colors and become, "less interesting," or, "not interesting." The eggs are injected with die and the chicks are born with abnormal colors.

The Dodo. “Easter Chicks: Colored Chicks Rescued Just in Time | the Dodo.” YouTube, 16 Apr. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdYSIFO5654. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

Here is another video about a bird named Fefe who was probably kept in a small cage before being rescued. She has anxiety, which is why she plucked most of her feathers out.

The Dodo. “This Guy Wasn’t a Bird Fan until He Met This Little Bald Cockatoo | the Dodo Soulmates.” YouTube, 9 Dec. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mtdGKkW2Hg. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

Now we've given you information, situations, examples, myths, facts, and truths about bird abuse, and now it is your turn to go out into the real world with us!


What can you do:

  • Donate money to help rescues and other animals in need

  • Always be aware and ready to help in any abuse situation.

  • Foster a bird until they find their forever home, then they may have more chance of being adopted, and they won't have to stay in a cage until they do! No animal deserves to be locked up, and especially not euthanized. You could save a life.

  • Rescue and adopt a bird that needs your help. Most people don’t understand the pain they go through throughout their lives, be their hero!



NOW LET'S GET OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD AND START MAKING CHANGES TODAY!