Bird by mail

What a fascinating topic!

"Bird by Mail" was a popular subscription service in the United States during the early 20th century. It was a mail-order business that allowed customers to receive live birds, usually songbirds or canaries, delivered right to their doorstep.

The concept was simple: customers would order a bird species of their choice, and the company would send a live bird to their home. The birds were usually shipped in specially designed boxes with food, water, and ventilation to ensure their safe transportation.

The first Bird by Mail service was established in the 1890s by a company called the American Bird Company. The service quickly gained popularity, and by the 1920s, there were several companies offering similar services. The birds were often marketed as "pets" or "ornamental birds," and the service was particularly popular among children and bird enthusiasts.

However, the Bird by Mail industry faced several challenges, including concerns about animal welfare, disease transmission, and the ethics of keeping birds as pets. In the 1950s and 1960s, many states began to regulate the industry, and some companies were forced to shut down.

Today, while it's still possible to purchase live birds online, the Bird by Mail service is largely a relic of the past. Many animal welfare organizations and conservation groups advocate for the humane treatment of animals and the protection of wild bird populations.

Despite the controversy surrounding the industry, the concept of Bird by Mail remains an interesting footnote in the history of human-animal interactions. It's a reminder of our complex relationship with animals and the evolving attitudes towards animal welfare and conservation.