Take a moment and ponder the roles that birds have played in our history. They have been revered as gods, as a form that gods take, as a messenger of peace and so much more. The bird has played a huge part in many classic works of fiction, movies and music. They are more than just two legged, winged wild animals that come to take food out of your bird feeders. Their graceful abilities and keen senses have set them aside from many species in the animal kingdom. Mankind’s first experience with birds as icons dates back to the time of the Egyptians and their religion.
If you look at ancient hieroglyphics, it is easy to see how big a role the bird played in Ancient Egypt. In fact one god, Horus, was said to have had the head of a falcon. His dominion was the sun and the moon but later he became the god of war. As a son to Isis and Osiris, Horus held a great fascination with many Egyptians. Stories of his famous battle with Set are still covered in books on religions in ancient times.
Exotic birds such as the falcon have always claimed humanity’s attention. Wild birds are the epitome of freedom. They sail through the skies without masters and do as they wish. They cannot be truly tamed. Even those that use falcons and hawks as gaming birds know that these species of birds can turn vicious and unpredictable if they are not treated properly and trained well. It can take years for a falcon or a hawk to be gentled. Perhaps that is why you do not see many people trying to own these birds. In medieval times it was common for lords to become falconers.
A bird icon or symbol will forever be part of society. There was even a song written about this graceful animal. Granted it is a rather humorous song that tends to get stuck in your head but it is still a party favorite and children love it. “The Birds the Word” recently has been seen on “The Family Guy.” And who can forget that “the bird” is a gesture of obscenity in most of the world. It may not be one that wild birds or domesticated birds want associated with their species, but it is here to stay. Our fascination with birds will continue and flourish as more people become interested in birding tours or even the history of birds.
Birds of the wild are fascinating creatures. People devote their spare time to observing wild birds in their natural habitats. That is a good thing. Trouble arises when a person wants to domesticate a wild bird. Some birds are just not meant to live in a cage. Yes, you can find many species in zoos but these birds are not meant to be pets. There is a lot to know about birds before you go out and try to trap one.
Wild birds include a wide variety of species. In fact, there are 10,000 different species of birds living on the planet right now. Some you can find at zoos that have a special bird house or exhibit. But in case you missed the lectures given by wildlife professionals, here is a bit of information that you might want to consider. For many years it was considered trendy and alternative to own a crow or a raven. This species of bird is completely black and has been written about many times. Many owners of this species of bird would slit the birds tongue because they thought it would make them speak in the same manner as a parrot. Unfortunately, movies often portrayed the raven or crow as a speaking bird. This damages the bird and can cause it great pain. It can also interfere with the bird’s eating habits. Take a pass on this bird if you are lonely and just want to talk; buy a Ham radio and try communicating with other humans.
There are other birds of the wild that people often covet. As mentioned above, the parrot is well known for its ability to mimic human speech. Many consumers have bought this bird species with the hope that they could train it to say something. Training a bird of this sort is going to require a lot of effort and a comprehensive care guide. Many parrots turn out to be quite a big bird so having enough space to comfortably house it is very important.
Birds of certain species do make great pets. It is because they have been heavily domesticated. No, you do not have to own a chicken. You can own birds such as canaries or parakeets and have a great pet. But even with these domesticated species, you still have to know how to take care of them. It can and probably will bite and scratch until you have it trained. Many owners become frustrated because they cannot get their bird trained properly. The key is to gain as much knowledge as possible before you make that purchase.
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