Are quaker parrots legal as a pet in Portugal?

The only reason why quaker parrots are not legal as a pet in Portugal is the existence of these particular parrots species with their specific genetics; the quaker parrots are considered an endangered species.

Portugal is one of the countries that are currently more restrictive in the protection of our environment, and so they are very careful with species that are considered endangered.

And therefore the possession of these parrots is prohibited in Portugal, even though they have a natural distribution in Portugal.

The conservation status of the quaker parrot was elevated in Appendix (IV) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) ) in 2008.

As this species is protected, only legal shipments are made to the member states of CITES and if you have caught, bred or purchased these parrots you need to know if they are legal to own or not.

And where it is legal for you to do that. Parrots that are CITES Appendix (I) are not just protected and endangered.

They are also illegal to own or sell as a pet in almost all European countries, as well as all countries of North America and Japan (see CITES Appendix (I) and Appendix (II).

The list of CITES Appendix (I) includes 7 species are:

• Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus).

• Red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus).

• Red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas).

• White-headed capuchin (Sapajus sapajus).

• Yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula).

• White-tipped mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae).

• White-tailed guenon (Cercopithecus albifrons).

However, there is a loophole in the system as these species are legal to own or sell as a pet as long as they are bred in a zoo/parks within the boundaries of their own country and their country of origin.

The fact that they are in the care of the zoo means they are under their jurisdiction. The CITES regulations for the parrot pet trade require that any captive bred parrots are registered and traceable.

What Does This Mean in Practice?

There are three types of documents that need to be issued to any parrot keeper by the relevant national authorities (namely customs, the relevant trade, the relevant wildlife agency).

• Certificate of registration
• Catch data (if applicable)
• Transport data (if applicable)

The Certificate of Registration is mandatory and is issued by a national authority within the country of origin.

This provides you with a legal way of proof that your parrot is registered and therefore not illegal in their country of origin.

A CITES catch certificate (or export or import data) is optional, but gives you proof of the parrot in question having been legally caught within the relevant country.

A CITES Transport data is optional, but provides proof that the bird in question has been legally transported within a CITES designated country.

As long as you are registered with the local authority, you should have proof that your parrot is legal, traceable and registered.

However, if you are keeping a parrot outside your national jurisdiction, you will be required to be registered with the relevant local authority and be able to produce a CITES catch certificate.

It is possible to apply for an extension of time to get hold of the necessary documents, if they are not easily accessible.

This will be decided on a case by case basis. Whilst a CITES export/import or transport certificate does not guarantee that the parrot in question has been legal, traceable and registered.

It is an effective way of demonstrating the legality of your bird.

If you apply for a CITES export/import certificate, all you need to provide is:

• Your proof of registration
• Copy of your CITES certificate
• Copy of your bird’s CITES export/import certificate

Once you have successfully applied for a CITES export/import certificate, you will receive a notification from PARA regarding the outcome.

It could take anywhere from 3-7 days, as it may depend on the CITES department, as to whether they have been working on your application, and may also depend on your country.

It is very important to know that there are no international penalties that can be incurred in not being able to get an export or import certificate.

The export/import laws are only concerned with your legal obligation to obtain a CITES export/import certificate.

If you’re unable to get hold of a CITES certificate, you should consider registering your parrot with your national ornithological register.

Some Information About Quaker Parrot

This little parrot is a lovely little song bird. It is common in the USA and Canada and is also present in parts of Africa. I call this Quaker Parrot since it is also known as Quaker Love Bird.

This parrot is quite tame and loves to hop up on people’s shoulders. So I guess it must be the Love Bird. This little bird is great to watch and very entertaining.

It loves to do some tricks like spinning, walking and some other dance moves. So when you visit an aviary make sure to visit the Quaker Parrot. It can live up to 30 years.

It does not migrate and makes it very easy to maintain it. The best food is the commercial food mix, which consists of dried fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables.

They do require some water every day, so do keep it watered. Some have pointed out that this is the only bird that needs water all day long.

This bird has the average lifespan of Quakers (about 20 years), and can reach up to 30 years in the wild. They are also known for their songs. They live up to 25 years in captivity.

The Quaker Parrot may be the result of a crossbreeding between some domestic and African Grey parrots. It is said that this bird was named after the founder of the American Quaker movement.

The Quaker Parrot can be found in different areas in the world. As with all birds, they love to eat and they love to eat nuts. Some people have suggested that the Quaker Parrot likes to clean its feathers after meals.

The Quaker Parrot is considered a rare bird today, mainly because most people are not even aware of this song bird. So it is not easy to find them in large numbers.

For the bird in captivity, we recommend feeding it at least twice a day. Do not keep it all alone, and it also needs proper lighting, a perch and maybe even an aquarium. The bird cannot fly, but it is quite agile.

As with all birds, it likes to fly. So, if you want to take it outdoors, it would be a good idea to have an area that is not too big. It also loves to be kept in an open space. I don’t like too many restrictions.

However, it does like to interact with other parrots and other parakeets. So, if you have other birds in your home, keep it in an open space. Do not lock it in a cage as this will limit its movement.

They are quite clean birds. A clean environment can go a long way for them. They will eat more if they are clean, so keep them clean. Most people think that the Quaker Parrot needs a good diet, but this is not true.

It can live quite happily on any diet. As for their food, give them the same diet as other parrots. Feed it about 5 percent of their body weight. So, for example, if a bird is 5 pounds, feed it about 0.25 ounces of food.

This bird is also a vegetarian bird. So it needs a vegetarian diet. This is quite different to most other parrots. So, look up a good diet for this species, and feed it accordingly.

You can also try to get an avian vet for these parrots. This will allow you to know what you need to keep your bird healthy.

Another important aspect to remember about these birds is that they are active at night. So they need a dark place to sleep. If you have a window in the room that is dark, this will help.

FAQs:

Conclusion:

The quaker parrots are not legal as a pet bird in Portugal. These birds are native to the forests of South America and are not suitable for living in the open.

They require a great deal of space, which is not available in most apartments or houses. There is no guarantee that they will live longer than a few years.

So, you need to consider whether it’s worth taking the risk of having one as a pet.

I hope you enjoyed our article about quaker parrots legal as a pet bird in Portugal. If yes, then do share these articles with your loved ones, family, and friends.

Thank you for Reading!