institute a licensing program for ownership of large birds like parrots based on hours of apprenticeship.

The purpose of this petition is to limit the trade of large birds like parrots and macaws as pets to those persons who actually have been trained to care for them. These animals have emotional needs on the level of young humans. When these needs are not met, the birds go crazy and commit suicide by poking holes in their chests with their beaks. It is really sad. Licensing is currently required to handle large raptors indigenous to the United States, but there isn't anything that regulates who handles large pets like parrots, cockatoos, and macaws.