What was life like for wild animals kept as exotic pets in Victorian times?

Kya deLongchamps is aflutter at the history of keeping wild and exotic pets in Victorian times

The tradition of keeping birds as ornamental companions at home dates back thousands of years. No matter how anthropomorphic we are in teasing up the relationship, it contains some troubling tensions. There’s the systematised entrapment of a creature designed to soar — able (in most bird species) to do the one thing we will never be able to do without gliding apparatus or jet propulsion. Even a generous flight enclosure limits range from miles to split metres. There’s an uncomfortable measure of control.

Cats keep their raw instinct tucked and tailored under their fur once through the door-flap. Dogs emotionally surrender. A so-called domesticated bird, even one bred in an aviary for countless generations, frail and yet diamond tough, will always be on high alert. Birds retain those very top notes of survival behaviours.