RANT: when people are rude to me about my parrots...

So a couple of days ago, my boyfriend and I took my cockatiel, Berry, to the park in her travel cage. She absolutely loved her time there. I don’t mind silly questions like “are you about to release it?” or the likes... but a very rude man made some extremely snarky comments about her.

He basically said that I am “rubbing her captivity in her face” and told me that I should never keep a bird without its own kind. I explained that I had two budgerigars who spend time with her everyday at home, as well as having a lot of experience keeping parrots with a large outdoor aviary too. I also explained that the travel cage is not the one she lives in, and that she is strongly bonded to me and lives very happily. Oh, but none of that helped at all. He straight up said “well you’re not exactly a bird, so how do you know she is happy or bonded to you? You can’t provide for her what a real flock would.”

I had no idea how to respond. I felt so hurt. It put me off bringing my birds out with me, because I received this judgement from the public. My parrots are everything to me, they’re my whole world, and it hurts me to think that others may perceive keeping parrots as cruel.

Ugh, anyway. Just needed to let some steam off about this.

There is no sense in trying to argue with people like that. You cannot change their minds nor can you educate them. Best to just tell them to 'flock' off and continue enjoying your time out with your bird.

Maybe look at it this way: someone who thinks like that is one more person who won’t buy a bird and then mistreat or abandon it. That’s good. You don’t have to argue with them. Some of what they say is true ... a life in a cage with humans may not be as good as a free born life. Then again, it can be safer, and a parrot who never knew the wild might be very happy. And yes, we can’t know what they really think - it’s true we aren’t birds.

I would just say to the person: yes, there is a lot of truth to that, I thought hard about it before I got him, and am committed to making his life as good as possible. Maybe ask what he suggests ... does he think you should just let the bird go? (Bad idea) and since he’s already here, you are giving him the best life you can. It’s not cruel to show a bird the outdoors - would he prefer you keep him in a windowless room so he can’t see the tempting world out the window?

Kiwibird said:

There is no sense in trying to argue with people like that. You cannot change their minds nor can you educate them. Best to just tell them to 'flock' off and continue enjoying your time out with your bird.

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Funny, as I was reading reeb's post my reaction would have been to tell the person to f-off...the human way. Your reply made me laugh.

Kiwibird said:

There is no sense in trying to argue with people like that. You cannot change their minds nor can you educate them. Best to just tell them to 'flock' off and continue enjoying your time out with your bird.

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I agree completely! This made me laugh out loud.

I just watched that movie "Parrots of Telegraph Hill" and they all got to live in the wild and it was no picnic and in fact they didn't look very happy at all. Lots of the flock got sick and died from random illness or got picked off by a hawk and some lost their mate and never recovered. Who wouldn't want to be taken in by a species who provides companionship, feeds you, protects you from predators and gives you a clean healthy place to live and let's you fly around and be a bird. I wish someone did that for me and I didn't have all the stress that came with merely surviving. I don't know...that movie really put it I to perspective for me.

Whether humans should keep birds as companions is the quintessential chicken or egg dilemma. In the idealized world, possibly not. The reality for a bird as creature of prey is a constant battle for resources, shelter, reproduction, etc. Perhaps their consciousness embraces such challenge?

The hypocrisy of the rude man is epic. I'll bet he enjoys a tasty omelette procured from hens living in battery cages and enjoys a factory farmed chicken dinner. So yes, you had every to declare "flock off" or something more graphic! You could have showed him your "other" bird!

I have honestly never had this happen to me! That said, I'm a Big Guy and have been known too, from time to time, wear tee shirt's that could say something like: Go Ahead, Make My Day!

Not sure if you are aware that every year Park Rangers and Mounties come across carriers and other small cages in the Great North West of North America, more commonly know as 'Rain Forests.'

It seems that individuals that have been like preyed-upon have brought their beloved feathered friends to Nature's own 'Heaven on Earth.' With tearful hearts they then release their friends to be free and ever happy!

Sadly, when Winter arrives, the freezing temperature and snow covers the Rain Forests and those creatures, not able to cope with the harshness of Winter, pass.

- It's sad, we in fact teach children that New World Parrots live in Rain Forests! Jungles are truly beautiful places, that is what we should be teaching!

So next time you are not wearing your Tee Shirt! Remember this reality and after passing along that information: Please tell the idiot, what others have so clearly stated!

- Oh, if that doesn't work, you can always tell them to wait right there and you will find some one that can communicate on their level. Knowing full well, you do not know anyone that stupid! They will clearly be there for a long while!!!

This whole thread has made me laugh so much and feel better! Thank you, everyone!


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Kiwibird said:

There is no sense in trying to argue with people like that. You cannot change their minds nor can you educate them. Best to just tell them to 'flock' off and continue enjoying your time out with your bird.

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hahahaha

That would've ticked me off. I can be very sweet and quiet, but everyone who knows me wouldn't dare anger me!

Normally, I'd be filled with rage, but I'm so calm right now since the recent medical news concerning my birds. Okay, I've almost throttled Noah more than once since getting the bad news.... Anyways, perhaps the guy just saw you as another one of those people who use birds as a status symbol? Like, imagine seeing someone with a ringtail lemur at the park. Your gut reaction would be that the lemur's guardian is some jerk who just wants to look cool and "own" an endangered exotic animal. Like, most people who keep primates don't know anything about caring for these animals and are selfish, vain jerks. The possibility that this lemur was actually rescued from a bad situation and is fed an excellent diet and is housed in a large enclosure with lots of toys, other lemurs, and fun things to do doesn't even cross your mind. Perhaps, for this dude, you ARE that jerk who decided to keep a lemur as a status symbol.

I mean, let's be honest, most people who keep parrots don't have a clue about how to care for them and can't be bothered to learn (with the exception of people who go on parrot forums). Maybe he thought you were an incompetent self-entitled jerk. A few years ago, I would've been that guy, but I've come to accept the fact that, although many species currently kept in captivity (big cats, primates, parrots, bears, crocodilians, etc.) should never have been taken from their natural habitats in the first place, they're here now and our priority should be to provide them with the best homes possible and to educate others.

Don't listen to them-your doing a good thing-
It's good for the bird to get outside sometimes-
Some people are so dumb-

One of the dangers of having a parrot on a harness... some people will walk right up and start touching your bird as if it was a dog or a cat... without even asking!








Need to get a few shirts that read out....

I have a different thought about this. I’m not making excuses for his behavior, just trying to understand where he’s coming from.
Considering your in South Africa, maybe he’s really upset about what is happening with the African Greys & the poaching industry? Like many of us reading the current articles & seeing the videos. It’s an absolute tragedy. And the reason this continues is there’s a market for pet parrots.

So maybe seeing you just hit a nerve with him.
Just sayin ....

While the true me loves the “flock off” sentiment, my mom always told me you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. I might have responded the same way I did when I got unsolicited (sometimes bad) parenting advice. A big smile and “thanks for your input!” Leaves them nothing to argue with but also lets them know-if they are halfway intelligent-that you’re not really interested in their thoughts. And if they DO continue to harass you, then back to plan A!

MonicaMc, I hear you aren't supposed to walk up and start petting unfamiliar cats or dogs either . Honestly, humans don't think. Like, fudge, how would YOU react if some stranger started hugging you or trying to hold your hand? Fudge, if it isn't socially acceptable in human society, then it sure as heck isn't acceptable in non-human society! Like, for crying out loud people, introduce yourself to the animal first, ask their guardian if it's okay to touch them and HOW to touch them, then ask the animal if they are okay with being touched! On a side note: aww, does Charlie have a deformed beak?

LOL Teddscau! Yup!


Charlie's beak is actually damaged - not deformed. I say it's his own fault as when he was in foster care, he became buddies with an amazon and could easily pick on the other two amazons. They just got out of his way!!!

He probably figured he could do the same to a blind ruby macaw, and well, you can see how well that turned out!

He got the injury when he was 12 years old, had to go through 2 surgeries and now requires beak trims for the rest of his life. He's 23 this year, so nearly 24 years old. (don't know when he was born in '94). He's been with me since October of 2006 and is my largest bird.