I found Cheri's post most informative.  I find the scare tactics in regards to avian flu over blown. Instead of approaching the potential health risks and avian flu problem with commonsense and logic the media has concentrate on the sensationalism they are famous for.

I know there is a definite problem, that cannot be denied but to restrict domesticated birds such as budgies, canaries etc. based on sensationalism not rational information and thought is counter productive and cause a great deal of distress especially among our seniors who only companions are their budgies and other domesticated bird species.

I am fortunate that the hospice that my mother will be going to understands and even has budgies on site as companions for the terminally and long term care patients.

I would hate to tell the press and scientists that my budgies are kept in cleaner conditions than most children in the world live in.  They receive check ups from their avian vet every 3 months, their cages are cleaned twice a day and they are healthy and cheerful members of our family. 

I hope that Cheri's mother and Ditto the budgie find an enlightened home to move to, they deserve more respect and understanding that has been exhibited so far.

If a person like my mother (with a compromised immune system and cancer) can still have and enjoy her little companions with her doctors' blessings then I will not worry about my little ones contaminating anyone.

Those are my thoughts, I do not dismiss the very real problem of a pandemic, and I am not a fool. However, I suggest that a more rational approach to domestic bird keeping be examined logically and scientifically, not sensationally.