Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/23/2004

Question
I'm sorry but do you remember the email about the Inca doves I saw in a cage at a local bird show and if it was legal or not? Well, my computer somehow deleted the reply you sent. Could you please tell me again about if the Inca doves could be released in the wild after being caged for quite some time?

Thank you for your time and help,
I apologize for taking up your time....

Sincerely,
Susan*

Answer
No problem. It may or may not be legal, depending on if the doves were captured or raised in captivity, and if captured whether it was done legally. Some federal permits will allow importation of these birds, I believe. If they were raised in captivity or have been in captivity for a long time, there is little chance they will make it in the wild without a rehabilitation program in a large flight cage. I'm with you - I much prefer birds in the wild rather than in cages, but there are legal ways to keep some birds, although I don't specifically know about this case.For more information on wild birds, see www.ornithology.com. Roger Lederer