The wildlife trading system around the world is usually associated with exotic creatures or endangered animals. Yet, there exists another type of trade that has been going on quietly under the radar for several years: the trade of small birds.
In the last 15 years, almost one million birds have been transported from Africa to Asia, and all of this has passed largely unnoticed. The birds, which are valued due to their singing qualities and colourful plumage, are traded internationally as exotic pets.
Scale of the Africa–Asia bird trade
This recent study, ‘An assessment of the ongoing live bird trade in Hong Kong, an Asian wildlife trade hub,’ reveals the scale of the trade. Scientists have determined that over 1,085,000 birds were imported to key Asian centres, such as Hong Kong and Singapore, during 2006-2020, based on UN Comtrade data.Surprisingly, nearly 65% of all imported birds, around 700,000 birds, came from African nations. These statistics show that Africa is still an important player in the bird trade industry despite the implementation of stringent rules in some regions due to fears of avian influenza after the mid-2000s.It is important to note that these statistics probably do not represent the true state of affairs, as some species are not regulated by international laws such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Why Canaries dominate the trade
Among the various species of animals being trafficked, the canaries, especially the members of the Crithagra genus, are notable. This study shows that most of the birds imported to Hong Kong were canaries, with only two species making up about 84% of all African birds imported from 2015 to 2020.The canaries are small birds known for their melodious vocalisations and capacity to adapt to captive environments. According to one study, they have been popular pets kept at home “due to their singing abilities.”
They are considered common in the international pet bird trade industry.In line with this observation, further assessment in bird markets suggests that the African finches and canaries comprise the primary species in the unregulated trade channels.
Environmental and health implications
Although such a trade might seem harmless, the repercussions are significant. These animals are often thought to be caught directly from nature, posing threats in terms of declining animal populations and reduced biodiversity.In addition, it has been warned by scientists that this kind of business poses health risks through the possible spread of diseases like avian influenza, among others, that might affect human beings too. In accordance with the research conducted on this matter, large bird transportation offers perfect conditions for the spread of diseases.Finally, bringing non-native species to new habitats will result in potential invasions, especially if some birds manage to escape captivity or are deliberately released into the wild.It should be noted that this is not only an ecological but a much wider problem. As stated by the authors, “millions of animals move freely across international borders each year,” yet they remain unnoticed since they do not fall under the scope of any particular regulatory measures.
A call for better monitoring and regulation
The results point to one of the biggest gaps in the world’s management of wildlife. As more than 80 per cent of bird species are not included in CITES listings, a considerable part of the bird trade is conducted in a way that involves little oversight. According to experts, better monitoring, species-level statistics, and inclusion in international frameworks are the keys to further development. Without implementing them, the scope of the issue will never be known to a satisfactory degree.In essence, the journey of African birds being exported to another country is beyond figures. It entails an understanding that there is an impact of human wants on nature, sometimes hidden from our sight. With greater awareness comes the need to marry both culture and conservation by ensuring that their survival is seen and not confined to cages.
