03/10/2026
Today is Awareness Day. Despite international anti-poaching laws and framework around the world, parrots continue to be trafficked to meet the demands of the global pet trade.
29% of all parrot species on the planet are listed as critically endangered, endangered or threatened on the IUCN Red List. 58% of all parrot species are in decline. In many areas, the poaching rate is 100% - no chicks escape the wildlife trade. 90% of trapped birds die after capture.
Despite all this, parrots remain one of the most frequently abandoned of all companion animals. Their wild nature and natural inclination for loud and frequent vocalizations, aggression, and destruction of property are too much for most guardians.
Standard pet industry practices, such as hand-rearing (i.e., parental deprivation) further complicate factors, as they actually undermine a parrot’s ability to mature into a psychologically healthy, well-adjusted adult, and increases the likelihood of a bird’s failure as a “pet”.
Even the most loving parrot guardians often find themselves unable to care for their longtime pets in the event of declining health, financial struggle, or other life circumstances. So it’s not surprising that sanctuaries across the globe are at capacity, unable to address daily requests for surrender as more and more birds flood the market from breeders.
Every time a parrot is purchased from a store or a breeder, their “value” trickles down to where they fly free...resulting in a tragic cycle. This is the Parrot Crisis.
Everywhere, these wild animals are suffering because humans desire to cage them. With each passing day, more parrots are stolen from the wild and brought into the world as a commodity by breeders.
If you love parrots, never buy, breed, or sell one. The best way to help them is to , support conservation efforts, and contact your local parrot rescue or sanctuary to see how you can help.
To learn more, follow or visit parrotalliance.org (http://parrotalliance.org/). Together, we can end the parrot crisis.
