Bring life to your home with ornamental birds

Jun 15, 2007

MOST people think to keep a bird,it has to be the traditional domestic one like chicken, duck or turkey. However, this trend is now changing due to the need of bringing life and excitement in residences, writes Thomas Pere.

MOST people think to keep a bird,it has to be the traditional domestic one like chicken, duck or turkey. However, this trend is now changing due to the need of bringing life and excitement in residences, writes Thomas Pere.

As such, wild bird species are increasingly being domesticated such as guinea and spur fowls, peacocks, African grey parrot and even water ducks as pets.

Albert Aronson, the managing director of pearl fishing company, who owns geese and water ducks, says once you care for them, the birds will easily reciprocate the friendship.

“It is so interesting when you hear the birds sing in the gardens,” says Aronson. David Ogwal who has two guinea fowls says: “They make me feel like I am living deep inside the village when I hear them make noise. Apart from that, they will stay close to you when you are seated in the compound, which has a relaxing effect.”

Ogwal says unlike other domestic birds, which usually fall sick and need the services of a veterinary doctor, these birds rarely give you a problem. Many times, they even prefer to sleep in the trees, which on the other hand solves the accommodation problem.

Martin Nsubuga, who owns a pair of geese, says they are like flowers in the compound. Apart from making the compound beautiful, they also act as guards.

“They will alert you of a visitor by making a cracking noise,” he explains.

“In case one ushers oneself in the compound, then there is trouble. They will chase and peck the ‘intruder’. Thier aggressiveness is close to that of dogs.”

A pair of guinea fowls costs sh80,000, from hawkers in Kampala, while a goose goes for sh150,000.

But Vanice Mirembe, a community conservation officer with Uganda Wildlife authority (UWA) says: “If one wants to keep a wild bird as a pet, one must first get a permit from us. In a situation where one already has it, then inform the authority about it. This applies to all wild birds whether imported or not.”

Magezi says, domestication of wild birds is done in accordance with section 29 of the Uganda wildlife act, 2000. She says making the UWA informed also helps in situations of disease outbreaks and aggressiveness. It also encourages a sense of conservation.

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