Animals Used for Entertainment// India's Bird Trade

Laws Applicable to Birds

Birds are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, which makes it illegal to catch, keep, kill, buy and sell birds or damage their nests. Click here to read PETA’s factsheet on birds.

• All indigenous bird species are covered under this Act.

• Trade in foreign birds is restricted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

• India has signed an international protocol that gives full protection to all migratory species, making it illegal to trap, capture, keep, kill or trade these birds.

• Parrots and the smaller green parakeets often mistaken for parrots are not indigenous to India but are nevertheless protected by law. Caging and displaying parrots and parakeets, as fortune-tellers often do, is illegal and is punishable by a fine and up to five years in prison.

• It is illegal to keep any birds in captivity except lovebirds and blue rock pigeons.

• It is illegal to farm or keep peacocks. Natural populations of these birds may not be enclosed or confined.

• Pheasants, jungle fowl and partridges (teetar) are protected under the WPA. It is illegal to hunt, kill, buy, sell, eat or serve them.

• It is illegal to colour birds (as is done by bird sellers to make them look more attractive). The chemical colour is toxic and possibly carcinogenic.

• It is illegal to maim birds by cutting their feathers. This offence is listed under IPC Section 428/429.

• Rearing, training and fighting cocks is illegal under the PCA.

• It is illegal to keep or train falcons and hawks.

• It is illegal to purchase birds for release in ceremonies.

• It is illegal to show caged birds in ads, movies or serials. Please see: Laws in India as they apply to animals and the film industry.

What You Can Do to Stop Cruelty to Birds

• Tell owners of caged birds that it is illegal and cruel to confine animals meant to fly, report them to your local animal protection group and law-enforcement authorities and work to have the bird confiscated and the owner prosecuted.

• Contact local animal protection groups about the possibility of releasing wild-caught caged birds. Release birds in a wooded area with a water source, sprinkling plenty of birdseed on the ground to ease the transition.

Captive-raised birds who can’t survive if released may still be confiscated from owners who keep them illegally. Please read PETA’s factsheet for tips on caring for captive birds. PETA’s factsheet for tips on caring for captive birds.

• If the bird's wings have been clipped, she or he can still be taken out of the cage and given a degree of freedom within an enclosed, protected area. If the weather is mild, create an outdoor aviary by netting two small trees together. If their wings grow back, wild-caught birds should be released.

• Report bird sellers and fortune-tellers with caged birds to the local animal protection group and law-enforcement authorities, and urge them to confiscate the birds and prosecute. You may also want to refer to laws in India as they apply to animals and performing.

• If you learn of a bird-releasing ceremony, contact the organisers and inform them of the law. Also contact the local animal protection group and the police.

• Birds used in movies may be mistreated, injured or killed. Under the Censorship Rules, it is illegal to feature scenes that include needless cruelty to animals. Please click here for laws in India as they apply to animals and the film industry to learn what you can do to help these animals.