"The bird industry/hobby has been operating very well for almost two decades now, with almost no importation whatsoever (only a tiny number allowed in for new breeding stock, none to the general public)."

Absolutely not true at all. Its only true of parrots. Finches & Softbills along with various gamefowl and doves are still imported as WC and bred in other countries in numbers. The whole bird flu thing a few years back wiped out access to many species formerly common. Importation has opened back up.

"In fact, I can obtain any species of parrot now that I could have 20 years ago."

Also not true. Many species have become very hard to find, and some are gone from US aviculture altogether.

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