Do birds have a sense of smell?

Birdy916 · Nov 10, 2013

I never really read anything that touches this issue...

My conure is here sitting on my shoulder and keeps trying to get over to my mouth for a kiss.

Thing is, I just woke up about a hour ago, havent brushed my teeth, drank 3 cups of coffee, and smoked my morning cigarrette(outside of course)....

In other words, I can smell my own breath, and Im not gonna lie, right now it could knock a mule out....

But lil Pirate seems unphased by it...

Do birds smell things??
(well i know a bird like a turkey vulture can smell carrion, but can Parrots smell things too ???

On a side note... crap, Pirate just figured out he can remove the keys from this keyboard.... great.... lol

JerseyWendy · Nov 10, 2013

There are mixed opinions about how much parrots "smell". I know those of us who live with Amazons know they can emit a (heavenly) scent from their nares, and I would assume that this scent is used in the wild, possibly to attract mates.

bob1 · Nov 10, 2013

AHHH, now you have made me curious. (does research). I found here where a parrot called the KAKA responds to smell but I didn't find anything that says a Conure has a sense of smell. Here is the article, paper, website, whatever.

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Parrots and Sense of Smell

Echo · Nov 10, 2013

My understanding is that they do have a sense of smell but it's not very good, which is why some pellets have a very strong smell.

Kalidasa · Nov 10, 2013

I've heard they can't smell either, but my budgies seem to love very pungent herbs like basil and mint. Mint in particular they love, not to eat but to rub all over their feathers. In the summer outside I gather large bunches if mint, crush it and sprinkle it with water and put it in their cage and they go nuts, climbing all over it, rubbing their bodies all over it, rubbing it under their wings. They also chew it to get the juice and rub it all over their necks. What else could it be but the smell?

Featheredsamurai · Nov 10, 2013

I believe that parrots can smell, but only limited.

halogen · Nov 10, 2013

Parrots and most preyed upon birds have very limited sense of smell. Often, they choose their food based on color and texture over smell and taste. (They have between 40-200 taste buds; humans have 9,000+) they don't have good smell, nor do the pet birds we own need it. Some birds, however, have very good senses of smell. The wandering albatross, for example, can smell the fish it eats from over a mile away underwater. As for domestic species of birds, they don't usually smell or taste well. Essentially, parrots don't smell well but most shore and seabirds can and do.

Pinkbirdy · Nov 10, 2013

Maybe it depends on the species.My Zon goes crazy when Im cooking certain things [and he cant see it ] he always yells "HELLO"

Do birds have a sense of smell?

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