Birmingham Bird Shop Faces Allegations of Animal Mistreatment
Exotic birds might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Birmingham, but a controversy surrounding an Aston pet shop has put the city's avian trade under scrutiny. The Sparkbrook pigeon flock was previously considered the city's main avian landmark, but now attention has shifted to Birds4U, a shop facing serious allegations from customers and a former employee.
Disturbing Claims From Customers
A growing number of customers claim that Birds4U owner Atif Masood sells birds that are terrified of humans, riddled with disease, and have had their wings clipped. One particularly distressing case involves Lee Tuckett and his son James, who traveled from Barnsley to Aston in 2023 to purchase what they believed would be a hand-reared lovebird for James' 13th birthday.
"You could physically see the fear and her heart pumping through her chest," Lee described their new pet Bryan, who turned out to be female despite being sold as male. "It would jump off his finger at any opportunity and run around on the floor to find a hiding spot."
The family later discovered Bryan had undergone wing clipping, a legal but controversial practice that took 18 months for the feathers to regrow. "We had got to the point where we assumed Bryan had been butchered so badly that she'd never be able to fly," Lee revealed.
Facebook Group Gathers Momentum
The private Facebook group 'Scammed by Birds4U' has become a repository for complaints, with 400 members sharing similar experiences. The main allegations include:
- Older birds being sold as young ones
- Birds marketed as 'hand-reared' turning out to be feral
- Animals suffering from Psittacine Bird and Feather Disease (PBFD), a highly contagious and usually fatal condition
Natalie, a 45-year-old office manager from Llandudno, started the group three years ago after purchasing what was advertised as a "young and hand tamed" Indian Ringneck parrot that turned out to be "feral" and "completely terrified." She expressed surprise at how many members have joined since.
Former Employee's Horror Story
Jaiden-James Elijah Spragg, known as JJ, worked at Birds4U for just three days in December 2024 before quitting via text message. The 20-year-old bird enthusiast from Walsall described his experience as "horror story worthy" and cited concerning practices he witnessed during his brief employment.
Owner's Response
Atif Masood, who also broadcasts with West Midlands radio station Radio XL and creates content for platforms like TikTok, denied the allegations when contacted by The Dispatch. "Our business sells thousands of birds each year," he stated. "With a customer base of that size, individual experiences will naturally vary depending on handling expectations, and post-sale care."
Regarding the Facebook group, Masood commented: "Large social media groups often contain a mix of opinions, including individuals with no direct experience of the business. Membership numbers do not equate to verified evidence."
Business Background
Birds4U's Facebook page indicates the business has operated since 2008, with Masood registering the company under UK Birds Limited in January 2019. Interestingly, the first negative reviews began appearing in 2020, suggesting a pattern of customer dissatisfaction that has grown steadily over time.
The shop occupies a unique position in the market, as there are few bricks-and-mortar exotic bird shops in the country, according to customers. This scarcity, combined with Birds4U's focus on selling younger animals in high demand, means disgruntled customers come from across the UK.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Birmingham's bird-owning community remains divided between those supporting the business and those demanding greater accountability for animal welfare standards in the exotic pet trade.
