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Today is National Bird Day - a day when Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) calls “on activists around the U.S. to take action on behalf of captive birds by drawing attention to the exploitation of other countries’ native birds by the U.S. pet industry”.

It’s an interesting initiative, but do [...]

The following article, written by Monica Engebretson, author and senior program associate at Born Free USA, appeared on Opposing Views (http://www.opposingviews.com/) earlier this month and provoked a fire-storm of comments. Should we be re-posting it here? The article is well-written and discusses some very important issues concerning avian welfare; Monica is a well-informed, committed conservationist [...]

Members of the American Federation for Aviculture constantly state how much they care for ‘their’ birds and how lovingly they treat them. I wonder how they’re reacting to news that an inspector visiting the home of Laura McManus, AFA’s Western Regional Director found cages that “appeared not to have been cleaned in weeks” and that [...]

Our recent mini-debate on hunting and conservation (eg Mike’s post on Duck Stamps at Time to buy a Duck Stamp…or not, mine on Dove Hunts in Argentina at Fur and Feather Shoot, and a general post about Birdwatchers and the American Economy) has naturally enough stirred up the emotions and brought forth some interesting comments. [...]

When we organised our Parrot Month’ theme in January one of the people who was really supportive of our (somewhat naive and unformed) efforts right from the outset was Monica Engebretson, Senior Progamme Associate for Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Insitute. Monica was actually a more inspirational muse than she may have realised. [...]

Yesterday I posted a short link to a video clip on Reuters UK which showed the shocking and inhumane conditions which a Brazilian wildlife smuggler was subjecting wild-caught parrots as he transported them illicitly out of the country in a small fishing-boat.

How can this disgusting trade be stopped? Undoubtedly work needs to be financed on [...]