Krista Menzel and her organization, the Avian Welfare Coalition, inaccurately characterize the content of the National Aviary's educational bird show based on the child's statement that "he hoped to talk his parents into letting him buy a pet bird" ("Parrots make bad pets,").
The Avian Welfare Coalition discourages pet bird ownership for a number of valid reasons. However, her assumption that our show encourages bird ownership is simply incorrect.

If she attended one of our shows, she would be aware that the show's narrators state the very warnings outlined in her letter. And she would know that all show donations benefit the World Parrot Trust, an organization that works to protect wild parrots.

Although birds from a reputable breeder can make excellent pets for appropriately educated and dedicated people, it is also true that many individuals greatly misjudge the time, energy and money it takes to properly care for a bird.

Young children may not always understand the educational messages put forth during our bird shows, which are designed to inspire and educate. We hope that each visitor who experiences our facility leaves with a heightened love for nature and a commitment to protect the creatures with whom we share our world.

Dayton Baker
Cheswick

The writer is executive director of the National Aviary.