I agree it's cruel in a way, I would never have one that I thought would have a great life free in the wild, Rudy is a rescue bird though so could not survive on her own, she gets lots of love and is part of the family now, they are great company and very amusing.
This is one of Rudy's fun things to do..
Sludge the ones I was on about are Indian ringnecks, they are slightly smaller than a Grey but quite cute and friendly and quite good talkers, obviously a blue one would be better.