Mirrors?

[YSGC]

Pico has discovered a large mirror that is on the floor resting against a wall.
Yes it's safe since it's positioned so it can't fall over and there are no sharp edges.

He's become interested in his reflection and returns to the mirror from time to time.

Is this harmless, or might mirrors stimulate hormones?
While he's in front of the mirror, is there undesirable behavior that I should watch out for?

 

[noodles123]

Your bird is already showing signs of a possible brood patch (hormonal feather issue). Mirrors can definitely stimulate hormones, so until your bird's behavior levels out, no mirrors. Yes, some people's birds have no problems with mirrors, but since your bird is currently in the midst of an issue, and mirrors can be a trigger in some, it would be best for your bird to avoid them for now at least.

 

[Flboy]

Some, yes, others, no issue!

 

[YSGC]

Your bird is already showing signs of a possible brood patch (hormonal feather issue). Mirrors can definitely stimulate hormones, so until your bird's behavior levels out, no mirrors. Yes, some people's birds have no problems with mirrors, but since your bird is currently in the midst of an issue, and mirrors can be a trigger in some, it would be best for your bird to avoid them for now at least.

I'm a bit confused by your post.
Perhaps you have me mixed up with another poster.
I haven't posted that Pico is "currently in the midst of an issue", or "showing signs of a possible brood patch (hormonal feather issue)".

Please clarify if anything I have posted would indicate this.
Thanks.

 

[YSGC]

Some, yes, others, no issue!

When Pico's at the mirror what should I look out for that would indicate the mirror is making him hormonal?

 

[ChristaNL]

Large(r) parrots are supposed to recognize themselves in the mirror (it is how they landed high in the "this is an intelligent species-"tree) and not mistake the reflection for another bird.

If your bird is hormonal she may ignore this and play 'pretend it is a partner' with her reflection.
Flirting, trying to feed and sometimes even trying to mate are *not* what you want to see your bird do to a reflection.


My birds wil look at themselves and lose interest pretty fast.
The macaw being the most "vain" but since she went from no tail to a full one over the course of the last year... it's understandable she needs more time to adjust the mental image of herself as well.


But they never show any signs of "interacting" with the mirrorimage, because they realise it is them, not some other bird, there.

 

[noodles123]

Your bird is already showing signs of a possible brood patch (hormonal feather issue). Mirrors can definitely stimulate hormones, so until your bird's behavior levels out, no mirrors. Yes, some people's birds have no problems with mirrors, but since your bird is currently in the midst of an issue, and mirrors can be a trigger in some, it would be best for your bird to avoid them for now at least.

I'm a bit confused by your post.
Perhaps you have me mixed up with another poster.
I haven't posted that Pico is "currently in the midst of an issue", or "showing signs of a possible brood patch (hormonal feather issue)".

Please clarify if anything I have posted would indicate this.
Thanks.

I totally did mix you up with another member- Wingnut also has a black and white image for his profile picture and for some reason, my brain connected those dots. My mistake! Sorry!!!!

 

[YSGC]

No worries.