Having a parrot VS having a child

[Kiwibird]

Kiwi has been most "trying" on my nerves tonight. My husband was eating some crackers and even though Kiwi got a little bit of a cracker, he didn't feel it was enough and was freaking out and I just couldn't calm him down or reason with him about the matter. Got to thinking, I'll have had the little such and such:16: 9 years next month and while he's certainly better behaved, he's still a 2 year old mentally. Thought this was kind of a good way of putting things in perspective for prospective parrot owners about what they have waiting for them!

9 years ago, I adopted a 10 year old parrot. Now let's say I had a baby instead of adopted a parrot...

9 years ago: Both the parrot and the baby scream for food, to be cleaned, to be comforted and entertained. Both are complete dependents.

Present day: The parrot STILL screams for food, to be cleaned, to be comforted and entertained. The baby, however, can now speak in full sentences, read, write, get a snack, play a game... The baby is less dependent and becoming ever more independent.

9 years from now: The parrot STILL screams for food, to be cleaned, to be comforted and entertained. The baby, however, can now drive a car, is graduating high school and either going to college or entering the workforce and is a legal adult, very close to or already independent.

9 years from 9 years from now: The parrot STILL screams for food, to be cleaned, to be comforted and entertained. The baby now has their own baby, their own home, their own spouse, their own career, they are a fully autonomous adult. The parrot is still a complete dependent, it cannot and never will be autonomous.

Some days the future appears bleak!:16::17:

 

[SailBoat]

Now that is a 'trying' evening and a pail of ice water to the face and upper body!

Breath deeply and slowly! Remember that it is those rare moments that 'kind-of' makes-up for these periods of cold hard reality!

Amazon's Have More Fun! Screwing with their 'staffs' minds!

 

[psychocircus91]

So very true.

BUT the positives that come with parrots also stays with you over all those years, while the kids are ever evolving.

I'd imagine having a human teenager isn't always too much easier than having a baby.

 

[Birdman666]

Children are more expensive, but they eventually move out, and you don't have to clean up after them... plus they are supposed to take care of you in your old age... Children's toys are more expensive. And their rooms are bigger.

Birds don't grow up, you continue to clean up after them, and you take care of them in your old age...

 

[Leena]

And then some days you wonder if you can keep the kid in the cage with enough food and water and the TV turned ON and then you could take a break for some time

And on some days you wonder is it against the law to keep the kid in the cage and cover it up so the tantrum can stop.

But yes with kids there is hope

 

[LordTriggs]

and you don't have to clean up after them...

I mean you say that, in practice it's a little different!

9 years from 9 years from now: The parrot STILL screams for food, to be cleaned, to be comforted and entertained.

Oh Kiwi, I'm around this age and I can tell you I still beg for comfort and entertainment!

 

[Birdman666]

and then some days you wonder if you can keep the kid in the cage with enough food and water and the tv turned on and then you could take a break for some time

and on some days you wonder is it against the law to keep the kid in the cage and cover it up so the tantrum can stop.

But yes with kids there is hope

or just put a lock on the closet door...

 

[Kiwibird]

Oh Kiwi, I'm around this age and I can tell you I still beg for comfort and entertainment!

I too am around this age. But my avian overlord ensures I'm too busy to care about my own comfort and entertainment (though, he is a fair ruler and often acts in rather entertaining ways). If you're ever wanting to feel too exasperated to care about anything you want or need, I have a "lovely" BFA and a box of his favorite crackers I'd be happy to "lend" you (no givesies backsies):54:

 

[Kiwibird]

or just put a lock on the closet door...

Might work for a kid but no so much a clever parrot Kiwi became a "free range" parrot when he started taking the side door off the cage after being shut in If you locked him in a closet, he'd simply chew through the door and let himself out of there too:49:

 

[LordTriggs]

Oh Kiwi, I'm around this age and I can tell you I still beg for comfort and entertainment!

I too am around this age. But my avian overlord ensures I'm too busy to care about my own comfort and entertainment (though, he is a fair ruler and often acts in rather entertaining ways). If you're ever wanting to feel too exasperated to care about anything you want or need, I have a "lovely" BFA and a box of his favorite crackers I'd be happy to "lend" you (no givesies backsies):54:

I mean Kiwi, you know you and the rest you zonners are slowly converting me already. Don't give me that opportunity to get my foot in the door with an already well-mannered Zon!

 

[SailBoat]

Oh Kiwi, I'm around this age and I can tell you I still beg for comfort and entertainment!

I too am around this age. But my avian overlord ensures I'm too busy to care about my own comfort and entertainment (though, he is a fair ruler and often acts in rather entertaining ways). If you're ever wanting to feel too exasperated to care about anything you want or need, I have a "lovely" BFA and a box of his favorite crackers I'd be happy to "lend" you (no givesies backsies):54:

I mean Kiwi, you know you and the rest you zonners are slowly converting me already. Don't give me that opportunity to get my foot in the door with an already well-mannered Zon!

"Don't give me that opportunity to get my foot in the door with an already well-mannered Zon!"

Aaaaaa, the proper term is: 'Near Most of the Time,'
well-Mannered Zon!

 

[Kiwibird]

I mean Kiwi, you know you and the rest you zonners are slowly converting me already. Don't give me that opportunity to get my foot in the door with an already well-mannered Zon!

"Well mannered" is relative to what kind of food (or interesting object) you have that he doesn't and how willing you are to share

 

[LordTriggs]

well mannered is dependent on your definition of the word

in this instance, not immediately prepared to bite and more open to a scratching haha! Zons are one of those birds I'd just love to handle sometime along with the other bigguns

 

[Kiwibird]

in this instance, not immediately prepared to bite and more open to a scratching haha!

Again, not being immediately prepared to bite depends on what you have to offer his highness in exchange for his mercy. As for scratches? Not unless you count his velociraptor talons scratching out your eyes! Kiwi will NOT be touched and finds the concept of a parrot getting scritchies a most undignified act! He's such a demon:16:

 

[LordTriggs]

hah maybe Kiwi is one of the ones that gives me reason for caution with Zons. Maybe I'll have to attempt to steal some time from Amy or Salty

Can safely say I'm institutionalized by birds though. Considering about 6 of my life dreams are merely holding different birds! one day I'll find a BP2 to say hello to

 

[Kiwibird]

hah maybe Kiwi is one of the ones that gives me reason for caution with Zons. Maybe I'll have to attempt to steal some time from Amy or Salty

Can safely say I'm institutionalized by birds though. Considering about 6 of my life dreams are merely holding different birds! one day I'll find a BP2 to say hello to

Not at all! He has simply done well training his human subordinates his likes and dislikes, therefore not having to bite us, so long as we are wise enough to bring offerings of food and toys to our ruler. Being petted or scritched on is right up there in the category of "mortal sins that can be committed against Kiwi" Though he does seem to enjoy being kissed on the head (which is very soft) and his human minions oblige gladly

 

[Birdman666]

I mean Kiwi, you know you and the rest you zonners are slowly converting me already. Don't give me that opportunity to get my foot in the door with an already well-mannered Zon!

"Well mannered" is relative to what kind of food (or interesting object) you have that he doesn't and how willing you are to share

Particularly how willing you are to share part...

Cuz you can give me some kindly and politely or just GIMME IT! MINE! MINE! MINE! (Your choice. Either way... )

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

And their rooms are bigger.

Well, I turned my extra bedroom into a bird room! So, not necessarily...

 

[CKP]

Well, I turned my extra bedroom into a bird room! So, not necessarily...

We are looking around at different homes and one of my requirements is space so I can do this! The wife argued that we need 2 rooms for our hypothetical future kids, I said they can share and then I can make a room for the green chicken!!

We've had the "kids vs chronic crazy parrot people" discussion a lot lately. I think my wife is more of the mindset that kids eventually grow up, but I always say "But Maverick is so cuuuuuuuute!"

 

[CKP]

Can safely say I'm institutionalized by birds though. Considering about 6 of my life dreams are merely holding different birds! one day I'll find a BP2 to say hello to

We saw one at the last bird show we went to! We always go to find toy parts to build with and there he was in all his handsome glory sitting on a perch behind one of the vendor's tables! Was definitely a sight to behold.