Dumb things people ask when you have your bird in public?

[Kiwibird]

For those of you who take out their birds, I'm *sure* you get asked pretty....obvious questions sometimes. My top stupid question has to be:

"Is that a REAL bird"? Uh, no I just carry this big stuffed bird around with me in an oversized backpack:20:

What are the ones you just roll your eyes at when you get asked them?

 

[Mimsy01]

We bring Foo in the summer over to my folks house for family get togethers.

My mom always asks "why doesn't she fly away?"

 

[Mariar]

I'm planning on taking sissy out in public..im not worried about questions as much as her severe macaw attitude lol...I laugh nervously

 

[Birdman666]

Is it real?
Is that your bird?
Does it talk?
Can you make it say something?
Can it fly?
Can i pet it?
Can i take a picture?
I've got a bird like that, too, but it's mean. Do you want it?

 

[Birdman666]

I'm planning on taking sissy out in public..im not worried about questions as much as her severe macaw attitude lol...I laugh nervously

That, actually, might help adjust her attitude... the more familiar they get with strangers the better they seem to do.

Warn everyone NOT TOO CLOSE at first! Let him get the out and about stuff in his comfort zone.

 

[Mariar]

Thanks that is very helpful..she's doing very well so far..a lot better than doolie

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks that is very helpful..she's doing very well so far..a lot better than doolie

Biggest problem with severe's is overbonding. Most effective way to handle it is to have as many people as possible handle the bird, if he accepts it.

 

[Mariar]

She is defiantly mine....and I really want more people to handle her..she regurgitates for me and rubs her behind on me...I think I'm going to start bringing her everywhere I can..I love the attention but dread the outcome

 

[Ann333]

Haha I get asked if Pumpkin is real every single time I go ANYWHERE. Everyone asks the exact same questions. For me it is like having the same conversation everytime someone notices him. Everyone asks why he doesn't fly away and then they all ask if he talks. Then they want to know if they can hold him (no...) and then (THE PART I HATE THE MOST) I have to talk everyone out of going to buy one for themselves on impulse.

 

[Mariar]

I'm a bartender and people always ask about my 'kids' I always tell them you have to have time, patience, and money in case of an emergency..and dedication and willingness to give up things for them...I really try to educate people. I was at wagon wheel flea market there is a man selling gliders I was trying to tell a family my experience with them ..how they are not cheap or an animal to leave in a cage..I was asked to leave..this type of thing makes me mad ...people think animals are novelties ..they are not..to me they are my children.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hilarious thread idea!

Here are some of the things I've been asked:

“Is that for real?” (Come closer and find out for yourself)
“Polly want a cracker?” (No, Polly wanna bite your head off.)
“Does it talk?”
“How big will it get?”
“Can it fly?”
“Does it bite?”
“Can it do tricks?”
“Why do you have a bird?” (So I get asked stupid questions)
“Can I touch it?” (Sure if you have good health insurance)

:54:

 

[Williamsong]

Whenever there's little kids they always ask "will it peck me?" And I say it can peck... But it can bite, lol

 

[RavensGryf]

Uh, no I just carry this big stuffed bird around with me in an oversized backpack:20:

This thread is hilarious!

What I'd like to know is what kind of answer are people expecting to hear when they ask an adult "Is it real?" :52:

Wendy, I love your "small print" LOL

 

[Kyoto]

I took kyo with me to get ice cream in her carrier, and people were like "Is that a bird? Why is it in a backpack?"

Obviously so it won't fly away…

 

[Birdman666]

Is it real?
[Why would I walk around with a fake parrot on my shoulder. Is there a pirate convention in town? Am I wearing an eye patch?]

Is that your bird?
[No. This wild South American Parrot just landed on me out of the blue, and now I can't get it to go away.]

Does it talk?
[When it feels like it.]

Can you make it say something?
[My bird has not been trained to say anything on command.]

Can it fly?
[Hello. It's a bird. Of course it can fly.]

Can i pet it?
[That's up to her. If she says no, better watch your fingers.]

Can i take a picture?
[yes.]

I've got a bird like that, too, but it's mean. Do you want it?

The answer to that question varies, depending on the circumstances. I've taken in at least 8 birds this way... I really don't want to take in any more. If they appear to be really scuzzy people, and the bird needs to get out of there, I'll take it, and place it later.]

 

[cnyguy]

I think most all of us know that the most common question is "does it talk?" "Does it bite?" is another question asked often. The answer I give to both is "Yes-- if he's in the mood to." At the vet's office, I was once asked what kind of kitty I had in the carrier-- Ralph's transport cage was partially covered, so I guess the woman couldn't see what was inside. On closer inspection, she discovered that Ralph isn't a cat at all. "Oh! That's a parrot, isn't it?" I was tempted to answer, "No-- it's a small green eagle."

 

[SilverSage]

and then (THE PART I HATE THE MOST) I have to talk everyone out of going to buy one for themselves on impulse.

Every.single.time. Ugh.

 

[Taw5106]

I get the "Is that a REAL bird" with Venus all the time. I do chalk it up to she is not a common parrot like a macaw, Amazon, or cockatoo. She's an eye catcher and I love to share her with children.

 

[Kiwibird]

Hilarious thread idea!

Here are some of the things I've been asked:

“Is that for real?” (Come closer and find out for yourself)
“Polly want a cracker?” (No, Polly wanna bite your head off.)
“Does it talk?”
“How big will it get?”
“Can it fly?”
“Does it bite?”
“Can it do tricks?”
“Why do you have a bird?” (So I get asked stupid questions)
“Can I touch it?” (Sure if you have good health insurance)

:54:

Your small print- priceless! Can't believe they ask if "polly want a cracker". Good health insurance I think that and signing a waiver:54:

 

[Kiwibird]

At the vet's office, I was once asked what kind of kitty I had in the carrier-- Ralph's transport cage was partially covered, so I guess the woman couldn't see what was inside. On closer inspection, she discovered that Ralph isn't a cat at all. "Oh! That's a parrot, isn't it?" I was tempted to answer, "No-- it's a small green eagle."

I had to take Kiwi to the vet within days of bringing him home (that was fun! NOT). We didn't have an AV in town, so he went to the only local vet who also treated exotics. Some lady had one of those yappy dogs who kept sniffing his cage. I kept telling her he was angry (as in full on amazon attack mode angry) and could she please keep her dog away and she kept telling me "oh, he's just curious". 10 seconds later- CHOMP! (dog starts yelping). Kiwi bit it right in the nose, in full view of everyone in the vets office. Good thing it was already at the vets Told you so lady! I knew it would be several years before Kiwi was ready to come out in public (besides to the vets/groomer):54: