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

[Kiwibird]

Here's a new one I was asked this weekend: "Do you ever put Ralph out by your birdfeeder to let him play with the wild birds?"

"Sure, especially when the hawks come by"

What kind of question is that???

 

[kq_fan]

When I was in public with Lilo, someone asked if they could have her... Maybe I should have said no but can I have your truck? People ask that for my white Labrador all the time and I say ha no but when they asked that about Lilo, my princess lovey cutie pants, I almost smacked him! I don't know why people ask that.

 

[Birdman666]

Ohhhh, does that bring back an angry memory.

"But you have so many, why can't I just have that one?!"

Uuuuuhh.... Really?! You need to leave now...

 

[Aquila]

Ohhhh, does that bring back an angry memory.

"But you have so many, why can't I just have that one?!"

Uuuuuhh.... Really?! You need to leave now...

"Well then give me your pants, you have others!"

or

"Give me one of your kids. But you have so many, why can't I have that one?!"

 

[SilverSage]

Sure, I have so many that you can totally have one... THAT YOU GO OUT AND BUY YOURSELF, TRAIN, AND SOCIALIZE!

 

[Mudkips]

I love this thread. I get asked a lot of these questions on a daily basis and I love to hear how other people put up with them! :smile005:

Here are some more:
"Oh that's a *insert random bird species*, isn't it?"
Only about 1 in 100 people come close to getting the correct answer. Now I just smile and say he is a parrot

"How come he doesn't fly away?"
Because he doesn't want to... obviously. This question is a really annoying! Once I was asked this by a parent and I mentioned that his boys weren't running away, why would that be? The kids looked at each other for a second then ran in opposite directions!

"What is it called?"
I have no idea whether they are asking a question about what kind of parrot Birdy is... or what his name is.

*When I pass Birdy a noodle or pasta which he starts eating* "I thought he was going to slurp the entire thing in one go!"

"Hey you, how much for the bird?"
One million dollars... even if they said yes to that I'd raise it to five! It's the fastest way to shut these people up. Once upon a time I would try to explain that you would never sell your own child, but that kind of reasoning doesn't work on people that only see a desirable item for trade instead of the loved family member that he is.

"Is it a real bird?"
If one or two young kids ask me this I give them the correct answer, however if there's a group of them it can get ugly really fast, what with all the screaming and trying to touch. So instead, I hold him on his back, put my finger on his belly (he doesn't mind) and explain that this is where the batteries go on this expensive new Japanese toy!

Whenever Birdy gets tired and hides down my top for some sleep: "Hey, where did your bird go?"
*I point into the distance* "He flew home!"

I've once had a woman scold me "Just leave the poor thing alone!" while playing tickles with Birdy at the park. My brother tells me the look on my face was priceless!

I find that of all the people that take photos, only half ask me for permission beforehand. One girl that was part of those aforementioned groups of kids once tried taking a photo without asking me first, then said "Stand still you stupid bird." when he moved to my other shoulder to get away from the phone camera in his face. I was not impressed...

But the worst are the ones that come up behind me and try to touch Birdy without letting him or myself know they are there. Only adults do this too.
The good news is that taking Birdy out almost every day for 5 years has prepared him for almost everything!

And it's really nice to talk to random Conure owners on the street. We're a rare and funny breed!

 

[Parrotlover418]

Is it real?
No, I'm from the future and this is a super realistic robot!
Can it fly?
No, because EVERYONE knows parrots are flightless birds!
Polly wanna cracker?
Polly wanna dispel the stereotype that parrots eat crackers.
Can I hold it?
Sure, if you have a finger that needs to be amputated!

 

[Minimaker]

The dumbest question is the one not asked. For instance "Is it safe for my little kid to grab at your large parrot or could it bite her tiny fingers?" would be a great question to ask before you walk your small child up and stick her right up to our bird before we have time to register what's about to happen. This happened in a store while we were shopping. It happened so fast we didn't see it coming until it happened. In a flash I jutted my hand in front of her beak and blocked the child's fingers. Sailor was still new, still bitey enough to draw blood on me if she wanted to and we were hoping to get her used to seeing other people from a safe distance(not realizing at the time how hands on people would be without asking). Now I say it before anyone's close enough to be in bite range just in case. And even then people still reach out for her after we tell them and my husband has learned to step back when he sees them reaching. I think they assume that if we can touch her everyone else could too and we are just being selfish or mean to withhold the petting.

 

[RavensGryf]

The dumbest question is the one not asked. For instance "Is it safe for my little kid to grab at your large parrot or could it bite her tiny fingers?" would be a great question to ask before you walk your small child up and stick her right up to our bird before we have time to register what's about to happen. This happened in a store while we were shopping. It happened so fast we didn't see it coming until it happened. In a flash I jutted my hand in front of her beak and blocked the child's fingers. Sailor was still new, still bitey enough to draw blood on me if she wanted to and we were hoping to get her used to seeing other people from a safe distance(not realizing at the time how hands on people would be without asking). Now I say it before anyone's close enough to be in bite range just in case. And even then people still reach out for her after we tell them and my husband has learned to step back when he sees them reaching. I think they assume that if we can touch her everyone else could too and we are just being selfish or mean to withhold the petting.

Wow, I'm thinking that just goes against basic common sense when touching someone else's animal, let alone courtesy . I'm actually surprised people would try that with a large exotic bird. I would think people would be afraid of getting bitten. I won't even pet a friendly looking dog on a leash without asking the owner first.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

I was hoping we could ark this thread back up again, bound to be some new entertaining stories

 

[LordTriggs]

brilliant thread. Many of the questions I understand and "Can I touch it?" find very polite (as long as when they're told no they back off)

though I feel should get a big one of those put on our backs when the fids are out to stop surprise touching

might deter some idiots but of course excitement takes over. I know I wouldn't be here without asking silly questions (though I was young) maybe we should make up some parrotforums.com business cards to hand out when people ask questions

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

though I feel should get a big one of those put on our backs when the fids are out to stop surprise touching

I keep telling my wife that I want to try to encourage Bo to say "I like to bite" for THIS EXACT REASON! He is still very young and I am working on making sure he is well socialized, and for the most part he will step up to just about anyone. But DO NOT PET THE BIRDIE!

 

[SilverSage]

Had a guy this week notice that my purse was squeaking. I take my babies out on field trips to start socializing them. After the initial “is that a parrot??” Standard stuff he said he wanted one. 99% of the time people who say they want one of my babies have no business having one but I take the opportunity to educate. When we got to the standard “and they talk, right?” “No bird is ever guaranteed to talk” he YELLED “THEN WHAT DO YOU CHARGE $(insert adoption price) FOR???I COULD GET ONE AT THE PET STORE FOR LESS THAN THAT!”

People say that sort of thing to me all the time but the absolute FURY with which he said it was unique. He was livid that I wouldn’t guarantee talking and absolutely outraged at my price (about 1/3 what he would have paid in a pet store). He didn’t even get to the part where I don’t just hand them over to the first person to wave cash in my face.

But we had several other, much nicer encounters that day.

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[WilliamKenyon]

Sad to hear that SilverSage. I know what you mean though. Sometimes people don't see birds as emotional sensitive creatures that should be treated with respect, and consequently treat them as objects . It's always good to meet people who understand this though, always brightens a parrot owners day.

 

[LordTriggs]

people get genuinely offended over nothing nowadays. I made a joke about myself the other day and someone overheard and got angry with me, when I explained I was making fun of myself they said that I was despicable to say that and should be ashamed. Sorry buddy but my self-deprecating nature isn't up to you and isn't really your business. The joke in question? "Well when I was younger I got given the option of exercise, or cake. guess which one I took?"

Aw I'd love to come see your babies sometime Sage, Though I'd struggle not to leave with one!

 

[Kyoto]

I've been trying to talk my coworker out of getting a bird because she sees me sharing photos of Kyo and she thinks she really wants a budgie. But she doesn't understand the amount of time and effort I put in (I know for a fact she has 2 jobs and a very heavy religious commitment 3 days a week). A bit off topic but definitely relates to the post above.

 

[LordTriggs]

most people find it hard with 1 job. I suspect she thinks one of "gods children" will respond to her because faith or some nonsense (sorry to any religious folk here but I have very little patience towards religion as an institution)

Definitely try to talk her out of it. Though you may end up with said budgie in a few months!

 

[Sunnyclover]

In Washington DC I once had a parent ask me of they could buy Ollie for $100 for their 4 year old girl. I was beyond horrified...I actually physically started to feel I'll when I thought of all that one statement meant. I tried to explain that parrots are very particular and temperamental beings and get attached to their "owner". The dad didn't want to hear it and said he's going to try to order one when they get home because his daughter at this point was screaming. They asked me what kind of bird it was and I said "I'm not sure" hoping that would delay this horrible mistake from happening or stop it. Uggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

 

[Inger]

In Washington DC I once had a parent ask me of they could buy Ollie for $100 for their 4 year old girl. I was beyond horrified...I actually physically started to feel I'll when I thought of all that one statement meant. I tried to explain that parrots are very particular and temperamental beings and get attached to their "owner". The dad didn't want to hear it and said he's going to try to order one when they get home because his daughter at this point was screaming. They asked me what kind of bird it was and I said "I'm not sure" hoping that would delay this horrible mistake from happening or stop it. Uggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

Uh. Would someone ask if they could buy the dog you were walking? Why would they think they could just buy an animal off of you?


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[SilverSage]

most people find it hard with 1 job. I suspect she thinks one of "gods children" will respond to her because faith or some nonsense (sorry to any religious folk here but I have very little patience towards religion as an institution)

Definitely try to talk her out of it. Though you may end up with said budgie in a few months!

You might be surprised which of us are very religious and how that plays into our animal care

It’s unfortunate when people allow ANYTHING, be that religion, education, perceived intelligence, etc, to cloud their ability to research and make healthy life choices.


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