Replies

Smuggling birds from Mexico is a real problem in the caged bird world.

True, I have been out of the business for 25 years, but doubt that it has changed. I raised and trained small Parrots and Cockatiels.

It became important to not buy from a source that had smuggled in the birds, due to disease and there are large quarantine centers for them in the U.S.. has to do with Customs as I recall.

ON a buying trip to San Diego in the 1970's, we went to a small house in National City, that had no furniture, only a 100 or so bird cages, and several heaters to keep the temperature high.

In Wellton, locals told me they would bring me a big parrot from Mexico, if I wanted one. (they did own one) Seems easy, soak corn in Tequila, feed to bird, bird goes to sleep, put him in a paper bag and walk across the border.

The history of my own Dink, a Petz Conure (Cockatiel sized Parrot), was that he had been taken from a Mexican illegal, who was walking across the desert, Dink was about 3 days old and was given to one of the Deputies wives to see if she could save it.

Jo, saved Dink and when it was about 2 years old, I was lucky enough to get him and he lived over 23 years with me.

Dink ruled the house and all who entered it. He would leave you bloody, cause you didn't do as he wanted, then fly across the room, sit on my friend Mary's knee and talk to her in a "Gentle Victorian Ladies Tea Time" voice/actions.

One of my uncles never entered my home, with out his head covered in a thick bath towel. Dink loved Hank, but he did make Hank do as he wanted him to do.

Back in the 70's a big poultry kill went on, it was caused by a pair of rare ducks, that a lady had smuggled in, and they were sick.