The stakes are much higher in the international market. The trappers earn only about five to 15 per cent of what the middlemen or retailers make on the birds. The retailers then earn around 20 to 25 per cent of the birds market value. The price of an Alexandrine Parakeet at the sub-dealer level, for example, would be between Rs 30 and 120 while at the market level it costs around Rs 80 to 350. Today, when exports are banned, they are even costlier.
Falcons fetch the highest price in the international market.
As falconry is very popular in West Asia and certain European countries like Germany and Spain, most of them are illegally transported there. The raptors are trained in most cases by the buyers to hunt partridges, quails, bustards and small mammals such as hares. On the other hand, Parakeets, Mynahs and Munias are mostly kept as pets. The Red Munia is kept for its song and colour. Black magic is another area where the birds are used.