Cold hearted parrots - lol

[RavensGryf]

I was just thinking the other day, that I have some weird birds... Not only my current ones, but ALL the birds I've ever had, including those which were and are very bonded with me, including my beloved Robin (Red Bellied parrot) who has been bonded with me for two decades... NONE of them have ever acknowledged when I'm sad, or downright upset and sobbing. They all just glance at me, give me a look like they think I'm extra strange, then ignore me and go on with their business

OTHER PEOPLE'S parrots are sensitive empathetic creatures! They sense their owner's moods and sorrow, and go to them and give them comfort and love, or the talented talkers might even say some thing appropriate for the situation... Mine just look like this --->:52: then turn away... I expect that from my wild Budgies, but not from several different parrots!

I know many of you have birds who DO acknowledge and reach out to comfort you when your upset (sad not angry)... But are the parrots that I've personally known the only ones out there who give the cold shoulder and look at you like they think you're a complete weirdo? :52:

 

[ann]

lol that's how i feel about my parrot Whiff, he just sits there! Black jack is a little more responsive, but still doesn't show much compassion lol

 

[Sterling1113]

Kiwi used to acknowledge when I was sad.. now she's totally indifferent.

Pascal is pretty indifferent too. Maybe it's a poi/pi thing?

But hey, it means consistency! Right? Hah. But I understand.

 

[RavensGryf]

Kiwi used to acknowledge when I was sad.. now she's totally indifferent.

Pascal is pretty indifferent too. Maybe it's a poi/pi thing?

But hey, it means consistency! Right? Hah. But I understand.

Indifferent - lol
I've had other species besides Poi's and Pi's... Ones you'd think would do more than sit there and stare :52:

 

[Sterling1113]

Kiwi used to acknowledge when I was sad.. now she's totally indifferent.

Pascal is pretty indifferent too. Maybe it's a poi/pi thing?

But hey, it means consistency! Right? Hah. But I understand.

Indifferent - lol
I've had other species besides Poi's and Pi's... Ones you'd think would do more than sit there and stare :52:

Yeah, I getcha.:20:

Well, as of NOW they really don't notice(or care) hah. I'm sure it's an individuality thing more than a species thing..

 

[Phlox]

I would think you almost have to train your bird to read moods like that. Birds express themselves so differently from mammals...I always assumed they didn't understand what the deal was. I've never had a bird try to comfort me. Cats and dogs and even rats? Yes. Birds, no. They always know when I'm frustrated or in a hurry though...that's when they get stubborn and like to bite me.

 

[Kiwibird]

Well, have you ever gone and tried to pick Robin or Raven up when your sad and see if they want to cuddle? Maybe they are afraid to approach you when you are acting so out of the ordinary? Pois are smaller birds and I'm assuming can't do too much damage when they bite. They may be afraid when your in an "upset state" that you could hurt them so they try to lay low. A macaw-sized bird on the other hand knows it has a sound defense against a human behaving out of the norm.

It could be worse. Kiwi typically gives LOUD, earth-shattering screeches when I'm really sad (like crying or whatever). It makes me even sadder Though he *can* be sensitive when he wants- he seems to react in a more comforting way when I'm stressed than when I'm sad. He puffs up his plumage and makes nice noises...Though he may be mocking me more than comforting me (you know, like "look how content/calm/relaxed I am while your over there freaking out):20:

 

[Birdman666]

This one depends on the bird... Can't give you insight on that one.

Mine are super bonded, and at least three of them are super sensitive.

Then again, you want cold?! Sweepea, when I had my hands full, and she knew I was not in a position to do something about it, was pissed off at me one day.
So she hops on my forearm, grabs a beak full of skin pinches and twists, then looks me in the eye pinning and says "OOOWWW! THAT HURTS!" (Translation: next time come and pick me up sooner, you SOB!)

She is just as likely to run up and pinch you in the ribs, and run around laughing to try and cheer you up, as she is to sit on your lap and be a cuddle monster... [Chase me. It'll give you something to do besides sit there sobbing.] OH YES, SHE DOES!

 

[MrsKay]

Ya.... and how about the fact that you do & do & do for them and they TAKE EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED? hahahahahah

 

[thekarens]

I think Zoe is going to be sensitive to feelings. That's not to say she's going to react the way I want, such as last night when I wanted to snuggle and she was all lunge and feisty since my emotions were boiling.

 

[RavensGryf]

Birds express themselves so differently from mammals... Cats and dogs and even rats? Yes. Birds, no.

I would normally not expect or even think about a bird reaching out to comfort us in the same way a mammal (dog) would. It's the fact that so many people actually say that their birds DO do it that got me thinking about it.

Cats and rats? No kidding?! Learned something new. Then again I've never had these mammals as pets. I've heard rats are exceptionally smart and cuddly, but cats that I've seen "appear" to be more aloof I guess when it comes to people's moods.

Well, have you ever gone and tried to pick Robin or Raven up when your sad and see if they want to cuddle? Maybe they are afraid to approach you when you are acting so out of the ordinary?

Pois are smaller birds and I'm assuming can't do too much damage when they bite.

You know... I haven't tried, but I'm actually afraid they'll try to either run away from me thinking they don't know what in the heck is wrong, or that they'd get agitated and bite.

Maybe like Phlox said they have to be 'trained' or conditioned to being in tune with our moods. Maybe the birds who do respond with empathy, are the ones who were picked up and cuddled consistently at times their owners were crying or very sad, and it's a learned response?

Poi's?? Haha!! Poi's are known to have the strongest bite of a bird their size. Poicephalus means "made of head" and the head and beak is much bigger and stronger than that of a similarly sized bird.
I don't know how true this is, but I've read articles somewhere saying species from the 'Old World' parts of the globe are harder biters than ones from the 'New World". That being said, I know even tiels can draw blood .

I still have a scar where when Robin was hormonal, he took a surprisingly sizeable chunk out of my finger. Poi's are also fearless birds. Overall they're still my favorite parrots for other reasons.

 

[thekarens]

You mean Robin isn't your favorite because he took a chunk out of you? <evil grin>

 

[lucy1]

Kev, my lovely Orange Wing Amazon was very strongly bonded and you couldn't ask for a better bud if you were sad. On many occasions he sat on my shoulder and gently licked an odd tear, or if there were too many he would rub his lovely long nape feathers across my face to dry them, then nuzzle my cheek.

Milo couldn't give a **** if I'm upset- it's all about him and why am I not paying attention??? When I split from my boyfriend he chewed a hole in my sweater and bit me hard enough to leave a smashing bruise on my arm. He's definitely a graduate from Robin's school of compassion

 

[RavensGryf]

You mean Robin isn't your favorite because he took a chunk out of you? <evil grin>

Robin will always be my favorite shh...
There's just something about when you've had a bird for many years, and you and they know each other inside out (although he doesn't care about my feelings lol). But when you've been together for a good long time, you practically share a secret language and you just 'get' each other like a good old friend, in the way that you can't when you haven't had them very long. Sure you can fall in love with a bird right away, but you know what I mean.

 

[Taw5106]

I feel y'all but ironically Buddy started his "love me" show. I think he's sensitive to my feelings at 1%, his are 99%. Does anyone else experience this? I love that Buddy voices this and yes I give him a hard time verbally. Love the brat.

 

[RavensGryf]

I feel y'all but ironically Buddy started his "love me" show. I think he's sensitive to my feelings at 1%, his are 99%. Does anyone else experience this? I love that Buddy voices this and yes I give him a hard time verbally. Love the brat.

You mean Buddy is self-centered? lol. Robin can relate!
Also, I think when he gets jealous for attention, he starts saying the other birds' names!

 

[cnyguy]

Ralph the Quaker parrot isn't all that sympathetic when I'm feeling down or am under the weather. George the YCA wasn't either. Their attitude is/was: "Hey! There's a parrot here who wants some attention! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start thinking about me!"

 

[Kiwibird]

Kev, my lovely Orange Wing Amazon was very strongly bonded and you couldn't ask for a better bud if you were sad. On many occasions he sat on my shoulder and gently licked an odd tear, or if there were too many he would rub his lovely long nape feathers across my face to dry them, then nuzzle my cheek.

Milo couldn't give a **** if I'm upset- it's all about him and why am I not paying attention??? When I split from my boyfriend he chewed a hole in my sweater and bit me hard enough to leave a smashing bruise on my arm. He's definitely a graduate from Robin's school of compassion

I can relate! We may have to respectfully decline that Robin has any further telecommunicated "lessons" with our birds Julie because I think he was schooling Kiwi too

I was sick a lot as a kid and Lucy, my moms DYH, would just sit there all puffed up on my chest, cooing and being a general sweetheart. It was so comforting and she was so bonded to me. Barney was not big into people, but was inseparably bonded to Lucy. He would call out for her and they were always preening and feeding each other and even boring Barney was affectionate towards his "mate" (gross, but in a sweet way).

When we were looking for a parrot one of the reasons I was so keen on an amazon was because of how affectionate Lucy and Barney were. HA! Despite having a big personality, Kiwi shows about as much affection as a rock on a good day, and acts like a feathery demon on a bad day. I think the primary reason he gives kisses is in hopes you have some tasty flavored chapstick on:31: Joe doesn't get it much better, and Kiwi is really bonded to him. He hisses and flashes about whenever he's upset/stressed/sick. Actually before we had Kiwi, I had never heard a parrot hiss before. It makes his occasional display of kindness and genuine sweet-bird behavior all the more special though

 

[Kiwibird]

[
Poi's?? Haha!! Poi's are known to have the strongest bite of a bird their size. Poicephalus means "made of head" and the head and beak is much bigger and stronger than that of a similarly sized bird.
I don't know how true this is, but I've read articles somewhere saying species from the 'Old World' parts of the globe are harder biters than ones from the 'New World". That being said, I know even tiels can draw blood .

Who knew? Robin looks so cute and sweet and gentle, I guess I just assumed he probably never bit, or could only give a nip. After being bitten by bigger birds, I think I look at little beaks and think "o, that little beakie can't inflict damage". Guess I was wrong I actually never knew poi's existed until I joined this forum and I still don't know much about them (mainly what you've said about Robin).

 

[Minimaker]

This one depends on the bird... Can't give you insight on that one.

Mine are super bonded, and at least three of them are super sensitive.

Then again, you want cold?! Sweepea, when I had my hands full, and she knew I was not in a position to do something about it, was pissed off at me one day.
So she hops on my forearm, grabs a beak full of skin pinches and twists, then looks me in the eye pinning and says "OOOWWW! THAT HURTS!" (Translation: next time come and pick me up sooner, you SOB!)

She is just as likely to run up and pinch you in the ribs, and run around laughing to try and cheer you up, as she is to sit on your lap and be a cuddle monster... [Chase me. It'll give you something to do besides sit there sobbing.] OH YES, SHE DOES!

That is absolutely hilarious!!! I couldn't even be mad for long because I admire that sense of humor too much