Farnboro John
Well-known member
Yes - but a bird in the zoo isn't necessarily domestic either- whether or not a bird is domestic is a separate, if somewhat related, issue. The ABA rules state that captive birds cannot be counted, which most people interpret as applying to both birds in cages long-term (like at a zoo), or temporarily restrained for banding. This rule is likely why so few banders in North America count birds in the hand on their life lists, or they keep a separate list for them.
I can also understand the viewpoint that, since mist-netting is not the same activity as birding, one might not want to add birds in hand to one's "birding" life list. But that distinction is totally up to individual preference- in my own case, that distinction has become somewhat blurred in my mind over time.
Yes, I agree with you on the domestic thing. I couldn't come up with the word I wanted. I can well believe most Americans interpret "captive birds" as meaning "birds restrained temporarily" as well as "birds made captive or bred in captivity and placed in long-term purpose-built accommodation to keep them captive" but see no reason to accept such restrictive practice or indeed endorse it for Americans.
That said I do also understand people who have ticked birds in the hand/on release saying that subsequently finding their own unrestrained bird feels almost like a second tick: and I endorse that feeling as being an acceptance of two lots of joy, which in a hobby makes far more sense than any amount of self-denial.
Good birding
John