PETA says investigators spent three months undercover at Creekside Birds, an Oklahoma parakeet breeder allegedly connected to major pet retailers, and recorded nearly 10,000 birds on site and about 1,400 deaths over 27 days. The organization alleges birds were kept in filthy, cramped cages, denied timely veterinary care, and that unsellable birds were killed. Graphic footage and images were submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the claims have not been independently verified and major retailers had not commented.
Undercover Footage: PETA Alleges 1,400 Parakeet Deaths at Oklahoma Breeder Linked to Major Pet Chains
Photo Credit: Peta
PETA says its investigators spent three months undercover inside an Oklahoma parakeet breeding facility, Creekside Birds, and recorded what the organization describes as abusive conditions, filthy cages and graphic mistreatment of birds. The Christian Daily (TCD) has not independently verified PETA's allegations, but the group's undercover footage has prompted increased scrutiny of the operation.
Allegations and Findings:
Photo Credit: Peta
PETA's report—summarized by The Scioto Valley Guardian—says investigators found nearly 10,000 parakeets at Creekside Birds and documented about 1,400 deaths over a 27-day period. The group alleges many birds were kept in cramped, dirty cages and that sick or “unsellable” birds were moved into separate “sick” cages and killed if they did not recover within one to two weeks. PETA also claims some sick and injured birds went weeks without veterinary care.
PETA's released images and video footage, which some outlets described as too graphic to publish in full, reportedly show workers killing birds by throwing them to the ground, crushing their necks and, in some cases, decapitating birds while they were still alive. PETA says it has submitted its evidence to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is urging retailers to stop selling live animals.
Photo Credit: Peta
According to PETA, one expert reviewer—identified as the welfare committee co-chair for the Association of Avian Veterinarians—called the facility “a culling facility focused entirely on maximizing profits with a complete disregard for life.” Another avian veterinarian with more than three decades of experience reportedly described the footage as “the most despicable, inhumane, and reprehensible representations of animal welfare.”
Retailer Connections and Responses:
PETA alleges Creekside Birds supplies a wholesale chain that includes a distributor connected to major retail pet stores, including PetSmart, Petco and Petland. At the time of publication, those retailers had not issued public comments in response to PETA's claims.
Note on Verification: TCD repeats these claims as reported by PETA and The Scioto Valley Guardian. The allegations remain unproven in independent public records cited in this article, and any regulatory or legal findings by the USDA or other authorities could provide additional context or change the picture.
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