Many people do have caged birds in their homes. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 prohibits keeping Indian birds like parakeets, mainas, among others as pets. These birds are listed in Schedule IV of the Act and keeping them as pets can invite a jail term and a fine.
Life in captivity is often a death sentence for birds, who may suffer from malnutrition, an improper environment, loneliness, and the stress of confinement. Birds are meant to fly and be with others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement causes birds to have temper tantrums and mood swings.
Driven mad by boredom and loneliness, caged birds often become aggressive, neurotic, and self-destructive. They pull out their own feathers, mutilate their skin, incessantly bob their heads, pace back and forth, peck over and over again at cage bars, and shake or even collapse from anxiety. Hence keeping birds in a cage may not be a good idea even as it is prohibited by law.
An alternative method to enjoy the presence of birds is to use bird-feeders and to keep water in vessels kept in open spaces, on the terrace or the garden. The birds will come to feed and quench their thirst. In due course the area will be crowded with birds. This will be a win-win situation. The house inmates can enjoy the sight of birds while the birds enjoy their freedom.
ADELMO FERNANDES, Vasco
