Does this make anyone else mad? (Small rant)

[Allicastery]

(I apologize if this is in the wrong section and for just the rant in general lol). Almost nothing makes me more mad than when people try and pet a bird, then the bird OBVIOUSLY tries to GET AWAY FROM THEM and then the bird gives them a bit of a nibble but THEY STILL try and pet it and then it finally says "you know what screw you" and then bites hard but then they STILL punish the bird for biting. I understand that it can lead to behavioral issues but COME ON. What do humans do when they don't want to be touched? They say "don't touch me" but most birds CAN NOT DO THAT! What do humans do when others don't stop? They move away. What do they do when all else fails? They do something physical to make it stop (to be honest I think I'd punch someone). There is a difference between a regular bite and a "STOP IT" bite. There was this kid who just relentlessly kept on trying to pet this CAG today, and after about 5 minutes of TRYING ITS HARDEST to get the kid to stop he bit because that was the only thing left to do, and if I was in his position, even with the mind of a human, I'd probably do the same. (Rant over to those who even read this far.)

 

[Birdman666]

My CAG wouldn't have given the kid five minutes...

He would have gotten one back up, and then warning nip with an "OOOOWWW THAT HURTS!" (This is a hint for what's about to happen if you don't get your finger out of my face.)

You don't punish the bird for that. That's a train the humans thing.

1. Where was this kid's parent(s)?

2. Where was the owner of the bird/pet store?

3. Assuming it was a pet store setting. I've never seen one that didn't have a great big sign that says BIRDS BITE, DON'T STICK YOUR FINGERS IN THE CAGE. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO HANDLE. Which goes back to Hey kid, what did you THINK was gonna happen?

 

[Scott]

It is a fundamental lack of respect that is likely observed in other areas of life. Parrots are not mindless automatons, rather they have distinct attractions and revulsions to specific people. You don't have to be parrot savvy to understand the body language, but some folks do not understand "no" even if uttered verbally! Or they believe persistence is a virtue and resistance can be easily overcome.

 

[DRB]

In my limited expose to the world of parrots I have to agree. I saw a kid doing it at the breeder/store I got my CAG from. Kid was annoying a cockatoo and it was giving him those "stop it" nibbles. I said to the kid "you should probably try that with the big red macaw over there", his mom or sister overheard and said "OMG no, don't do that to a macaw it will seriously hurt you".

I think they all got the message I was sending.

Training people to behave around our birds is as hard as training the birds IMO.

I saw don't bring your hand in fast or from above, first thing my friend does is come in from above.

 

[Allicastery]

It IS a store BUT they have birds out on perches so they get socialized. Usually people are watching (today it was really busy) and if they see someone bugging a bird they let the bird settle it unless its a macaw or an amazon (or any bird that is known to have issues) you are actually free to go take a bird off the perch and play with it (for socialization) and a lot of the parrot savvy regulars go right up to them and pick them right up (I do that with a lot of the cockatoos if they are in the mood). THAT BEING SAID you don't have to have seen a bird before in your life to know that IF THE ANIMAL IS TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM YOU THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED!

 

[Allicastery]

IMHO I feel like kids under 10 shouldn't even be allowed in to touch the birds, I've seen some shrink up when they see a kid. Any kid in the store should be monitored by EVERYONE, not even the parents. They've really socialized the birds well, though. They are all very patient and very used to being approached, the cockatoos get ecstatic whenever someone walks by, they hold up their foot in an invitation to pick them up for some cuddles lol.