There are hundreds, if not thousands, of topics that can be written about "pet" birds. In choosing what to write about, my main criteria is to do so based on my values, principles, beliefs, causes, and interests. In other words, one's writings should be guided by a sense of personal integrity.

Writing About Birds With Integrity

Great article, Les.

As a bird owner I always researched that pretty bird I wanted to take home well beforehand. I offered the largest cages I could afford (the small birds had flight cages), a varied and appropriate diet, and toys for the more intelligent species like my parrot. My parrot had the opportunity to fly around the bird room during the day because I opened her cage door every morning, and all the birds seemed to enjoy a radio left on during this time with pleasant music playing. The result from this type of care was happy, vocal, and long-lived birds.

Unfortunately many people do not do their research to make sure they are able to afford and properly provide the necessities that birds require, which can be quite varied, and the birds will suffer for it. I hope people who read your articles will think twice about acquiring a bird, and will only do so if the proper requirements can be met both physically and mentally.

There will always be birds in captivity whether we like it or not. At this point in my life I think birds should be left in the wild, and my birding days are over, but I feel good that the ones I had in my care were happy and healthy.

Thank you, Les, for your great insight.

Hi Debbie,

You are not the "choir" that I was alluding to in the article. You are the CHOIR MASTER! Thank you for being so bird caring and savvy!!!

Thanks, Les.

I have always admired birds since I was a young girl. To own them would mean that I had to take on the responsibility for their care in every way, and I wanted to replicate what nature offered them, in what limited way that I could. I could not offer an aviary to them, but they would be able to have exercise.

Whether it has been for my birds, rabbits, cats, dogs, horses, or the other various animals I have had through the years, I always did my research first. My animals deserved at least that much from me, and some animals I liked I did not acquire because for one reason or another I could not provide for their needs.