Info required. Live in Spain and many neighbours have caged wild birds. They sing as though happy but it disgusts me. They should be in flocks and free. Tonight an elderly neighbour knocked at the door and proudly presented me with a young goldfinch. He told me he had not been bred in captivity. I was so taken aback I didn't ask him any questions like how long he'd been captured etc etc. Anyway this gorgeous little creature is jumping about his small cage and I'm saying he's anxious and frightened but my hubby is not so sure. Have played him a goldfinch singing on Youtube and bless him he started singing in reply. Would anyone know whether its better to keep him or should I set him free, but I suppose that could be dangerous for him? He's only a baby. Don't even know if its legal to keep him. Internet search has not revealed much about capturing small birds in Spain - just stuff about parrots and large birds of prey. Any comments would be very welcome. Won't sleep tonight.
Oh my goodness! I feel for you Caz! My instinct would be to release it, but I've no idea if that really is the right thing to do... Hopefully someone here will be able to advise...
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Hi Chez
I don't know the rules about keeping wild birds in Spain either.
If it was me I would release it back into the wild where it belongs.
Best wishes Chris
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That's a really tricky situation, Caz. If it truly is a captured wild bird then as others have said my instinct would be to release it. The trouble is that you risk offending a neighbour who thought he was doing you a kindness. I've no idea what the law is in Spain either but there is a different attitude in some parts of Europe to wildlife particularly amongst the older generation who see nothing wrong in taking birds from the wild.
TJ
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Tony
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Hi Caz, Goldfinches are sociable birds, often breeding in loose colonies, they have a delightful liquid twittering song and call. Their long fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. Increasingly they are visiting birdtables and feeders. In winter many UK goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain. In the UK Goldfinches may be competitively exhibited or sold if captive-bred and fitted with approved close-ring. We do have a sister organisation in Spain who you can contact at seo@seo.org or you can visit their website at http://www.seo.org/. They may be able to tell you the Spanish Laws regarding the trapping of finches. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Kind Regards
Tom
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Oh dear Caz, what a dilemma. I don't envy you.
I remember being totally disgusted and upset when walking along the Ramblas in Barcelona. There were dozens of cages containing finches and small birds. It was horrible! It makes me think that it can't be illegal in Spain to capture, sell and keep them.
I hope whatever decision you come to has a good outcome for the poor little goldfinch.
Are you able to feed it properly?
Pipit :(
Many thanks Tom. Will do my best to find out more. "Pepy" survived the night and was twittering away at 7.30 am. A lot of our neighbours have these birds and it seems to be the norm. but, as I say, will try to find out the law. Caz
Thanks for your concern. He came complete with feeder full of seed so the local shop must sell food. Singing his little heart out at 7.30am. He is so pretty - I love the little white dots that show up when his wings are folded. Hubbie has been pricing a larger cage so me thinks we might have an addition to the family, but I am looking into the law on trapping and keeping wild birds so watch this space. Caz