An amazing documentary about the problems associated with people taking tropical birds into their homes. As one who has worked with hurt and neglected birds for many years, this makes me cry. Everyone should watch this.

53 minutes. Full version is below.

Marty

Parrots and the bittersweet world they share with humans.

Premieres Wednesday, November 13, at 8pm/ET on PBS (check local

listings).
Streaming starts at 9pm/ET.

Meet Lou. Abandoned in a foreclosed home, Lou is one of thousands of parrots in need of rescue. From the wilds of Costa Rica to suburban America, a loveable, quirky cast of parrots will reveal their unforgettable tales and the bittersweet world they share with humans. Their outrageous intelligence and uncanny ability to communicate in any language has made parrots one of the world’s most popular pets. But unlike dogs and cats, parrots have not been domesticated. Hardwired for the wild, their high decible squawks and complex behavior are designed for the wild. Add a lifespan of up to 70+ years with their intense need to bond, and a life in captivity doesn’t always have a happy ending. With shelters and sanctuaries struggling to meet the demand, too many birds like Lou have no place to go.

LINK for photos and more information. Full video streams above.

Here's a link that may be higher resolution....

Thank you for sharing this Marty. What really sucks is that the illegal parrot trade starts here. Look around, see who owns native Belizean parrots. People are still buying and ordering baby birds to be poached from the Belizean forest where they are rapidly being wiped out. According to Belize Bird Rescue, even though the normal lifespan for a parrot can be 60 plus years, the average lifespan for a Belizean parrot in captivity is 5 years. Unfortunately, the country cannot subsidise the number of wildlife officers needed to enforce this law, but perhaps we can help by educating our neighbours, colleagues and friends. It makes me sad seeing this generation stealing the wildlife from the children.