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

[eagle18]

I honestly wish they WOULD ASK if they could pet Fred instead of just going ahead and doing it.

 

[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.

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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I almost wanted to ask if I could buy her little girl off her for $50. LOL.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

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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I almost wanted to ask if I could buy her little girl off her for $50. LOL.

All in all, sounds like a pretty unpleasant situation

 

[Jferrand526]

I always take my birds out with me. Not all at the same time but one at a time to places such as Petsmart and Petco or at the park. I have never had someone truly ask me a stupid question except for the other day. I was walking in Petsmart with Hermin, my dusky conure, he loves being out of the house and he sqwacks a lot when he’s out so this lady is looking around in the air at the ceiling trying to find him and then literally jumps when she sees him on my shoulder. The first thing she asked was “He landed on you? A wild bird landed on you?”

I explained he was my pet and her eyes got so wide they looked like they were going to pop out of her skull and then she said “I never knew poor people or middle class people had parrots as pets.” by this point she’s in front of me and staring at Hermin and she put her hand out without asking permission and he yelled at her and she said “I thought pets are supposed to be nice and obedient.” and I replied “Just because a dog is a pet doesn’t mean it won’t bite when it feels threatened. My bird felt threatened because I did not hand him to you or give you permission to pet him and yet you tried. It took me weeks to be aboe to pet him because he didn’t trust me fully until I worked with him and proved to him I wasn’t a threat.”
She stuck her nose up in the air and walked away from me with a little “hmph” noise and I rolled my eyes and walked away as well petting Hermin and kissing him.

Another incident it when I took my pattagonian conure to the swap meet for the first time on a harness and he was behaving so well till a kid came up behind us and yelled to startle him. Of course he flew away from me but I had the harness on him and I asked the kid if he would please not do that again to my bird or myself, I asked very very nicely because he’s a kid, i’m not going to be rude but his mom said “Maybe you should teach your bird not to fly and not blame my kid for your bird misbehaving.”

 

[WilliamKenyon]

I always take my birds out with me. Not all at the same time but one at a time to places such as Petsmart and Petco or at the park. I have never had someone truly ask me a stupid question except for the other day. I was walking in Petsmart with Hermin, my dusky conure, he loves being out of the house and he sqwacks a lot when he’s out so this lady is looking around in the air at the ceiling trying to find him and then literally jumps when she sees him on my shoulder. The first thing she asked was “He landed on you? A wild bird landed on you?”

I explained he was my pet and her eyes got so wide they looked like they were going to pop out of her skull and then she said “I never knew poor people or middle class people had parrots as pets.” by this point she’s in front of me and staring at Hermin and she put her hand out without asking permission and he yelled at her and she said “I thought pets are supposed to be nice and obedient.” and I replied “Just because a dog is a pet doesn’t mean it won’t bite when it feels threatened. My bird felt threatened because I did not hand him to you or give you permission to pet him and yet you tried. It took me weeks to be aboe to pet him because he didn’t trust me fully until I worked with him and proved to him I wasn’t a threat.”
She stuck her nose up in the air and walked away from me with a little “hmph” noise and I rolled my eyes and walked away as well petting Hermin and kissing him.

Another incident it when I took my pattagonian conure to the swap meet for the first time on a harness and he was behaving so well till a kid came up behind us and yelled to startle him. Of course he flew away from me but I had the harness on him and I asked the kid if he would please not do that again to my bird or myself, I asked very very nicely because he’s a kid, i’m not going to be rude but his mom said “Maybe you should teach your bird not to fly and not blame my kid for your bird misbehaving.”

Hard to believe that the peasant's now have parrots, my things have changed . Who does she think she is, some kind of medieval monarch . Shame your poor birdy had to go through that on his first outing.

 

[LordTriggs]

honestly some of these people make me never want to take a bird out, more out of fear of what I would do to them. Thankfully I'm not exactly the most approachable looking person so that may be able to stave some people off. I can deal with the usual set of "is it real? Can I touch it? Can it talk? Can I get a picture?" ETC ETC

But if someone were to demand I give them my pet I think I would be close to breaking their nose there would at least be a very loud retort involving 7 letters forming 2 words starting with F and ending with F

 

[Sunnyclover]

I know how you feel LT but I had my son with me and I had to remain calm as an example to him.

 

[Jferrand526]

Oh trust me. I get so angry sometimes when I go out with my birds but Hermin knows when I’m upset. I don’t know what it is but ever since I adopted him it’s like he needs to make sure I’m feeling alright or that i’m not angry.
He always tries to cheer me up and everytime I get angry at someone he puts his beak against my mouth and says “pretty birdie.” or “pets?”

I think people should just leave the bird alone that is resting on us and not touch but some people don’t know better and need to be educated

 

[Jottlebot]

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

You say that LordTriggs, but you'll change your mind when you know how much SilverSage charges and they MIGHT NOT EVEN TALK!!!!.... couldn't resist...

Really enjoying this thread!

I have hopes of harness training McCoy, but realistically I think I'd be looking at 3 years or so before that's a reasonable possibility. Good to read that a fair few of you take your birds out in birdy rucksacks. I hadn't really thought of getting one, but getting him used to outside would be good. I've just got him an outside aviary, but we don't have many people in our garden, (at least not that we find the bodies of - we have a great dane ...) so he doesn't get much people contact.

I think being asked the dumb questions you guys get asked generally fall into the "nicer problems to have" category. Some are just a real concern of course, but mostly the questions and how you answer them are very very funny!!

 

[SilverSage]

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

You say that LordTriggs, but you'll change your mind when you know how much SilverSage charges and they MIGHT NOT EVEN TALK!!!!.... couldn't resist...



Really enjoying this thread!



I have hopes of harness training McCoy, but realistically I think I'd be looking at 3 years or so before that's a reasonable possibility. Good to read that a fair few of you take your birds out in birdy rucksacks. I hadn't really thought of getting one, but getting him used to outside would be good. I've just got him an outside aviary, but we don't have many people in our garden, (at least not that we find the bodies of - we have a great dane ...) so he doesn't get much people contact.



I think being asked the dumb questions you guys get asked generally fall into the "nicer problems to have" category. Some are just a real concern of course, but mostly the questions and how you answer them are very very funny!!

It only might they not talk, but there is a contract! And an interview! And I make you actually wait until the baby is weaned before picking one! And if I don’t think it’s a good match I don’t let you have the bird! And the list goes on. I’m a horrible person, torturing would-be parrot owners until they give up on the idea entirely.


Along those lines though I hear it costs around $3000 to get a bird from the US to the U.K.? and I’ve heard you have feral ringnecks in some areas so they might not allow it in any case Lord Triggs.


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[LordTriggs]

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

You say that LordTriggs, but you'll change your mind when you know how much SilverSage charges and they MIGHT NOT EVEN TALK!!!!.... couldn't resist...



Really enjoying this thread!



I have hopes of harness training McCoy, but realistically I think I'd be looking at 3 years or so before that's a reasonable possibility. Good to read that a fair few of you take your birds out in birdy rucksacks. I hadn't really thought of getting one, but getting him used to outside would be good. I've just got him an outside aviary, but we don't have many people in our garden, (at least not that we find the bodies of - we have a great dane ...) so he doesn't get much people contact.



I think being asked the dumb questions you guys get asked generally fall into the "nicer problems to have" category. Some are just a real concern of course, but mostly the questions and how you answer them are very very funny!!

It only might they not talk, but there is a contract! And an interview! And I make you actually wait until the baby is weaned before picking one! And if I don’t think it’s a good match I don’t let you have the bird! And the list goes on. I’m a horrible person, torturing would-be parrot owners until they give up on the idea entirely.


Along those lines though I hear it costs around $3000 to get a bird from the US to the U.K.? and I’ve heard you have feral ringnecks in some areas so they might not allow it in any case Lord Triggs.


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I'm very aware of the feral Ringnecks! They keep pooping on my car!

Shame for all that importing stuff. I'd love to get any bird you raise, that's the level of care I want from a breeder. It should be professional and not just about who has the $$$

despicable that you don't even offer an exchange when the bird is unable to talk. How dare you run a business like that! I will be reporting you!

 

[SilverSage]

Believe it or not I have a LOTof people ask me if they can exchange the bird later if “it doesn’t work out.” That’s one of the reasons for my crazy strict contract. Yes the bird has to come back to me, and no you don’t get a new one. It’s a living being not a toaster.


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[GaleriaGila]

My fave... (and the Rb's, too, I suspect)...

"DOES IT BITE?" [said while sticking a finger at his beak] This requires lightning reflexes on my part!

 

[DiscoDuck]

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?

LOL perfect! Im going to reorder the sequence of well over a thousand interactions I have had over the last year. and my responses.


Does it talk? Not on command. He talks a lot when he wants to.
then if,,
Can you make it say something? I say, "whats your name?, "insert name" i say again, "no, but I can make you talk "
IS that your bird? "Well, yes, but he is his own person."
Can I take a picture? " i say one condition you have to do a selfie while he sits on your arm."
Does it BIte? "Yes but no, if he truly bit, I would be missing fingers"
Can I pet it? "Yes but no, he is not a dog or a cat and I cant train you not to react..
Can it fly? " yes Rudy is free flighted" which he opens his wings as a wave of sorts

Other questions..

Where did you get it? My stock answer is "they dont come out of the box like this. Classes start at that point.
How much was it. "how much is a kid? They are waaaay smarter, esy to care for and live just as long
What do they eat? "fingers" jokingly.

my standard interaction is a 5 minute dissertation. on why these pets are for those who understand the commitment you would give to a child.

 

[DiscoDuck]

]

Another incident it when I took my pattagonian conure to the swap meet for the first time on a harness and he was behaving so well till a kid came up behind us and yelled to startle him. Of course he flew away from me but I had the harness on him and I asked the kid if he would please not do that again to my bird or myself, I asked very very nicely because he’s a kid, i’m not going to be rude but his mom said “Maybe you should teach your bird not to fly and not blame my kid for your bird misbehaving.”

OMG LOL.
Sorry cant help myself. Its funny. sort of.. more or less sad...

 

[DiscoDuck]

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:

I often just bounce Rudy a bit and he opens his wings, I answer, " no its mechanical" 50/50 dont get the joke:22:

 

[DiscoDuck]

I have a really good interaction to combat all the stupidity, though. I was in PetSmart and there was a little girl whose face just lit up when she saw Espresso all the way across the store. She pulled her mom to get a closer look but stopped a very respectful distance. I introduced them and she asked all kinds of good questions. Then I asked if she wanted to see her tricks (she knows a handful of very half-butted tricks that she does on very rare occasions) and the little girl nodded excitedly. Then Espresso busted out all the stops for this little girl! She waved, danced, flapped, and did bat bird all 100% beautifully!! She doesn't even do that for me ever! I'm sure she would have stepped up for her too but the little girl was too scared. Best interaction ever.

I have had some rare 1;100 interactions with people, where I point out there is something very unusual about Rudy's affection for that person. It turns out that these people all either have birds or had a bird. How the hey does the bird pick up on that fact!!!??

 

[reeb]

The worst I experienced was:

"Aren't you rubbing its captivity in its face?"

 

[DiscoDuck]

The worst I experienced was:

"Aren't you rubbing its captivity in its face?"

I got a comment similar to that by a zoo employee. "shouldnt that bird be in the forest?

I replied, "sure if humans weren't cutting down the amazon and if Rudy's didn't already have 50 brothers and sisters conceived in a small rural area of the Delmarva Peninsula."

The 100k Rover CO2 machine immediately sped off well over the Park speed limit.. Gotta love the naysayers

 

[Jferrand526]

I really dislike it when people ask about the captivity of the animal. I got asked one time “Don’t you feel bad for putting it in a tiny cage?”, “It should be able to fly away whenever it wants to, how dare you cut its wings”, or “If I owned that bird I would set it free.”

I have come up with comebacks so sly towards people like this that they usually just walk away all angry but one woman who said “If I owned that bird I would set it free.” got even more angry at me when I told her that setting it free would possibly be a death sentence. She asked me what would I know and how dare I argue with her and then she said “I bought 20 cockatiels from a person and I set them all free up in Big Bear, I set them free right here in california and they’re probably still alive.”

I just stood there in shock. I asked if the birds were all handfed and she said yes. Then I calmly told her “Handfed birds means that the humans feed the birds with a syringe when they are a baby. The food and water has been supplied for those birds who knows for how many years till you bought them and set them free. They have to look for water and food now and if they don’t find it they starve or get dehydrated. Not to mention Big Bear is way too cold for cockatiels in the winter and it is not their natural habitat.”

She just stood there in shock, she was quiet and she didn’t cuss at me anymore or say anything. She got so startled by what I told her. It was not really a funny situation because I was angry at her, super angry because she literally tried to grab Tango, my jenday, from my shoulder so she could ‘set him free’, that’s how the whole fight started, she literally tried to steal Tango from me and when I caught her she told me she would’ve set him free. After that day I saw her in the pet store staring at the birds a lot. I’m hoping she never bought one.