Do people actually do this to their parrots!?!

[paper_lantern]

Is it true that some people subject their parrots to operations so that they can't scream (similar to de-barking a dog)? I also read that some people split their parrot's beak so that they cannot bite. I'm hoping these are just horrible rumors. If not, what the heck is wrong with people? Is this a common thing?

[marie83]

Never heard of splitting beaks and stopping them screaming but it wouldnt suprise me if it did still happwn in some countries

[Wolf]

I hope not!

[Pajarita]

I've never heard of surgery on their syrinx so they would not scream (although I would not be surprised if some avian vet came up with this terrible idea and is promoting it as the solution to a poor frustrated, lonely, depressed chronic screamer) but it is true that they split the lower beak of large male breeding cockatoos all the way into the jaw so it never heals again. Breeders do it to prevent the males from killing the females -something that is absolutely unheard of in the wild where males are extremely affectionate and protective of their mates but common in captivity due to the terrible conditions they are kept (small cages, no flight -can't have anything that will distract them from reproducing- mates not chosen by them, high protein diet and bad light schedule in order to promote an excess of sexual hormones -which makes them VERY aggressive).

People don't even begin to realize the atrocities we commit on these poor animals - and all for the mighty buck! Because I don't believe for one second that breeders love their birds as they claim - if they did, they would not be selling their babies.

[paper_lantern]

Pajarita, that is just so sad. It's almost enough for me to lose my faith in humanity..

I agree with what you said about breeders. It breaks my heart to think that I once didn't know the horrors of bird breeding. Chubby was purchased from a breeder in Texas. I love him to pieces and would never give him up, but sometimes I feel bad knowing I purchased a bird while there are so many in rescues and such. If I ever get a second parrot, I will definitely be getting one who is a re-home or from a rescue.

[Harpmaker]

What a horrible idea! But I suspect that somewhere, someone will claim that it's for the bird's own good.