13/07/2025

ON SUNDAY JULY 13, 2025 theSunday Special VII

homes or sold through pet shops. Still, the underlying perception persists: that a caged bird, quiet and still, must be content. But silence is not proof of peace. Behav ioural studies suggest that even birds born in captivity can experience distress when denied movement, stimulation or companionship. It’s not about longing for WKH ZLOG ± LW¶V DERXW EHLQJ EXLOW IRU ÀLJKW DQG QR ORQJHU DEOH WR À\ S RPH RZQHUV MXVWLI\ FRQ¿QHPHQW E\ claiming captive-bred birds don’t know what they’re missing. But instincts don’t vanish in a generation. You can’t breed out WKH QHHG WR À\

You can’t breed out the need to fly. You can only suppress it.”

ZLOGOLIH WUḊ FNLQJ ± DQ LQYLVLEOH FUXHOW\ that begins long before a parrot perches in a living room. NGOs such as WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC have highlighted parrot smug gling networks across Southeast Asia. The cost isn’t just paid in currency. It’s paid in broken ecosystems, endangered populations and long, terrifying journeys for birds who never make it to the pet shop. But there is hope In recent years, Malaysian bird lovers have begun shifting the conversation. Rescue groups like Parrot Safe Haven and online communities like MYPetFinder advocate for ethical bird-keeping, responsible rehoming and enriching environments. Birdwatching clubs, too, have gained mo mentum, inviting Malaysians to admire these creatures without possessing them. Maybe that’s what we need more of: Admiration without ownership. Birds, after all, are marvels of evolution – elegant, intelligent, expressive. When we choose to keep one, we inherit a respon sibility beyond feeding and cleaning. We EHFRPH WKHLU ÀRFN WKHLU SOD\JURXQG WKHLU freedom. It’s not a hobby. It’s a role that deserves respect. So the next time you see a caged bird – in a home, a café or a market – pause. Watch. Listen. Is it singing from joy or simply because it knows nothing else? Because somewhere in that song, there might be more truth than we realise.

Their silence is often misread as peace.”

Admiration doesn’t need to come with ownership.

BEHIND the rising popularity of pet birds in Malaysia lies a quiet undercurrent of neglect. Kalaivanan Ravichandran, president of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), believes many owners, despite good intentions, are unaware of the deeper needs of the creatures they keep. “One of the main concerns `šŒ® ðœ—šÈ œÃ Ãȳ¨Œ® v®ˆ ܨŒ®ƒŒ œÃÈv§Œ® –³À ½ŒvƒŒ A particularly fraught subject is the practice of wing clipping, often carried out to prevent birds from escaping or injuring themselves in the home. Kalaivanan doesn’t deny that safety is important, but questions the ethics of restricting flight altogether. “Wing clipping is a controversial practice that restricts a bird’s ability to fly. While

Kalaivanan’s message is simple: “Don’t confuse beauty with well being. A colourful bird in a still cage might look peaceful, but we must ask whether its life is being honoured or contained.”

He suggests that early intervention could change the culture around pet birds entirely. “It is essential to provide information on bird welfare, their social needs, diet and the ethical considerations of owning a pet bird. We encourage the implementation of educational programmes in schools and communities.” Another persistent problem is the illegal wildlife trade, threatening bird populations across Southeast Asia. While many birds sold in pet shops may appear domesticated, some have been taken from the wild and passed through hidden supply chains. “The illegal wildlife trade significantly harms bird populations by removing them from their natural habitats,” Kalaivanan said. “This not only leads to the loss of biodi versity but also causes immense stress and harm to birds.” He calls for more vigorous enforce ment and a cultural shift toward responsible ownership to ad dress this. “It is vital to increase en

some owners view it as a safety measure, we believe it is ethically questionable as it deprives birds of their natural abilities.” He encourages owners to consider alternative ap proaches rather than remov ing a bird’s flight altogether. “We advocate for creating a safe environment that allows birds to fly freely. Ethical alterna tives include proper training and supervision in a bird-safe space.”

is the illegal bird trade, which leads to the capture of wild birds. This often results in poor living conditions and a decline in species populations,” he said It’s a concern that extends beyond exotic species. Common issues like inadequate enclosures, poor diets and a lack of mental stimulation continue to affect domestic birds nationwide.

The root problem, he believes, is often a lack of education. Many new bird owners purchase their pets impulsively, with little understanding of what ethical, long-term care looks like. “Public awareness campaigns are crucial. They should focus on educating pet owners about the long-term commitment required to care for birds.”

“Improper housing, lack of proper diet and insufficient mental stimulation are common issues that negatively af fect pet birds in Malaysia,” Kalaivanan explained. Unlike other pets, birds may show distress in subtle, easily ignored ways – through repetitive behaviours, silence or aggression.

forcement against wildlife trafficking and promote legal adoption routes for pet birds to combat this issue.”