Random funny bird story :)

[CallumConure]

Some important information to remember later: I am physically a female, but I identify as male. I have super short hair.

Just felt the need to share this, but when I visited a bird rescue a while ago, I was tasked with giving some of the birds a treat to help encourage them to socialize and become comfortable with new people. I saw a lot of beautiful B&G macaws, saw a cute little naked Nanday conure (I have a soft spot for naked chickens, as I affectionately call them), gave a lot of treats, etc. I'm honestly surprised I left the place without a new bird lol.

Surprisingly, this little bird (I think they were a Caique), climbed straight onto my hand with zero hesitation, munched on the treat, and just seemed content to sit in the palm of my hand, despite having never seen me before this moment. The people seemed a little nervous with this bird on my hand, but didn't intervene. Eventually, the little bird climbed back to one the volunteers and continue eating this treat. Well, come to find out, this bird did not like women! My surprise was that the bird didn't even care while sitting on me lol.

Despite not identifying as a female, I hope the bird at least feels a little more comfortable with women now. I looked nothing like the other volunteers, nor did the bird show an ounce of aggression. I didn't move to pet the bird, as I was content to let them sit there and do their thing. I wonder if my short hair had anything to do with it lol. I'm sure it has to do with bad experiences with a certain gender, but how do birds accurately tell genders apart?

 

[Laurasea]

What a wonderful story. I think birds feel e energy. And you felt like good people! Thank you for helping out at a bird rescue!

 

[Squeekmouse]

Evidence that parrots are smarter than humans, perhaps? Evidence at the least that there's no love like parrot love.

 

[Pampa]

That’s a curious question. Birds that prefer one sex over another. What are they picking up on. Energy? Hairstyle? Mannerisms? I think dogs are sometimes put off by men’s deeper voices. Would be a fun and interesting study.
Lucky you being able to visit a bird rescue. There are no rescues close to where I live.

 

[Scott]

Lovely story! I'm guessing birds observe physical characteristics, not sure they have the olfactory ability to pick up pheromones secreted by humans. Mammals certainly do, especially dogs with phenomenal sense of smell.

 

[Valyndris]

Jacob isn't a fan of most men but I think it's mostly dark hair and especially beards that he doesn't like (he loves blonde women the most). He loves my dad though as he grew up with him. Jacob has chosen me as his mate and because of that he hated any man I was ever with even if that guy wasn't a boyfriend but just a guy visiting whether it was to get help from my father with their vehicle (my dad's a mechanic) or going to my mom's pet store, which was in the house (Jacob lived there at the time). At least half of these men I can remember had dark hair and a beard. Jacob would act jealous if those guys were around me.

He hated my husband for the longest time but is getting better with him since I adopted him. I never show my husband affection in front of the bird. I'm assuming birds can identify gender just like we do. Also, I would like to mention Jacob's first reaction to seeing a black person, he just saw him as another human, didn't act any different towards him at all. That surprised me because he hates dark hair/beards. It's nice to know my bird is only sexist and not racist too. lol

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Love that story. That little bird sensed your masculine essence and responded to it. I think it's beautiful. I hear that the transgender road isn't always easy, and if I were you, I think I would have felt proud. Maybe I'm making too much of this. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SailBoat]

IMHO, Parrots tend to identify with specific appearances /features that can also include some specific colors of clothing and hair. It is very important to remember that Parrots commonly identify us by our head, and the rest of us, as something like a tree that tends to follow us around.

I have long heard that Parrots have specific choices with either Humans that are female or male. With the many Amazons that have owned us over the years, I have found that tendency less true than the belief.

I have long believed that they are far more observant and as a result are far better at making choice regarding who they like and who they do not.

Parrots are designed to Fly! As a result, anything that adds weight tends to be limited in scope. This is exampled by the comments Scott made above.

Over the many years, I have been chosen by men haters and rejected by men lovers.