Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/20/2004

Question
Hello,
I have been a bird lover since I was 7-8 yrs old.
I always marvel at how baby orphan birds can be
raised by wildlife rehabilitaters and then magically they take flight as they are released back in the wild.
I am concerned because I was at a local Bird show
(for pet birds) and I saw a small cage with a pair of Inca Doves sitting quietly on a perch.
I was shocked! Isin't it illegal to be in possession of wild birds? And to sell them?!
That was the only cage I saw with Inca Doves in it
but in my area wildbirds or any other very exotic
birds are NOT sold commonly.
I'm sure they were Inca doves because the sign said they were. We have many Inca doves commonly around here visiting bird feeders.
I got an imaginable idea that it would be great to
buy those Inca Doves and set them free again.
But would they be able to survive after seeing and living for maybe a while with people and having food brought to them?
Would they be able to survive when released? If not, then would there be any thing you'd have to do like train them to be a wild bird?

Do you know of anything going on that Inca Doves are becoming the newest exotic 'pet'. I really hope they are not, I love Inca doves but would rather see them in the wild----Not in a cage.

Thank you for your time and help,
sincerely,
Susan*

Ps: I apologize for any miss-spellings.
thanks

Answer
It is illegal to possess wild native birds under most circumstances, but there are certain conditions where it is legal. These birds, for example, may have been bred in captivity in Mexico and brought to the US legally. But who knows. If they were hatched and raised in captivity, they may or may not make it in the wild. They would have to be put in a large pen and taught to fend for themselves gradually.I don't know much about caged birds as that is not my expertise, but I do agree with you that I'd rather see them in the wild than in a cage. For more information on wild birds, go to www.ornithology.com. Roger Lederer