Greys and mirrors

[DRB]

Figured I’d ask here instead of a general forum since my Perjo is a Grey and different species have different personality characteristics.

I put Perjo in front of a couple different mirrors once or twice a week. She responds by leaning toward the mirror and sometimes touching with her beak or tongue. She’s never made a sound when in front of the mirror though.

I’m curious as to others experiences with Greys and mirrors.

I know she understands it’s a Grey she’s looking at just not sure if she realizes it’s heraelf or that something is up with this other bird in the reflection mimicking her movements.

Also like to know if there’s anything to expect as they get accustomed to a mirror?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Smokey had a smallish stainless steel mirror in her cage. At times she'd bang it around or make kissy sounds at it. Sometimes at bed time she would place it between her arm and neck and rub her hear against it. She liked her mirror!


Jim

 

[texsize]

My Bella never had much reaction to mirrors. She only sees them in the bathroom.
If I hold her up next to the mirror she with touch/tap her beak on the mirror as if to check to make sure it's solid.

I don't think any of my Fids have much of a reaction to mirrors. I never put one in the Tiels cage cuz none of them are alone.

 

[Tami2]

When I first got Levi I read somewhere that mirrors were not advisable for Greys. I don't remember where I read that, but it stated it could bring out negative/undesirable behaviors. So, I never bought one for his cage. However, he has been in front of mirrors and never flew into them trying to attack it. But, if I get close enough he'll smack his beak against it like he does on the windows when he chases the local birds. He doesn't bang too hard, but it's not a gentle tap either.

Jim, I think that's adorable that Smokey would snuggle w/ her reflection. Too darn cute.

 

[ChristaNL]

I remember reading Irene Pepperbergs story (Alex & Me) of how Alex was placed in front of a mirror (by accident- they were planning to introduce one to him/her in a scientific controlled way) and Alex immediately wanted to know "what colour" he/she was.


The greys here just see themselves in the bathroom mirror regularly and are not really interested.
They look and just shrug it off "nothing special to see here, just me ... moving on".
(Sunny will actively try and steer me towards one and just stare at herself.)

 

[LordTriggs]

you could always attempt the "spot test" to see if he works it out. Was done on a lot of different animals, essentially you get a mark put on them on their head. When placed in front of the mirror if they touch the spot on themselves it means they understand it's a reflection, if not then they think it's another animal. Pretty much all primates, pigs and they found some crows understood, so wouldn't surprise me if parrots could understand it