In the top photograph, a newly captured African grey parrot has its primary feathers cut to prevent flight. In shock, birds refuse to eat for days.Young African grey parrots have black to dark grey eyes, which lighten as they age. The bird in the middle photograph has yellow eyes, the sign of an adult. The villager holds out its wings, saying that this is a parrot ready for the trip to Kinshasa, the capital.
In the bottom photo is a dead parrot, approximately one month after capture. Mortality is mainly due to overcrowding in too small cages, exposure, and malnutrition. Some birds were destined for the local pet market, but the majority were exported to Europe and Asia.
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