Fear of birds - a conversation with kids

Taw5106

New member
Mar 27, 2014
2,480
25
Texas
Parrots
Buddy - Red Crowned Amazon (27 yo)
Venus - Solomon Island Eclectus (4 yo)
Buzz CAG (2 yo)
Sam - Cockatiel 1997 - 2004
Tweety - Budgie 1984 - 1987
Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
This weekend I saw my niece and told her I almost brought one of the birds with me to visit. She, her sister and brother froze and looked at me with huge eyes. She says, "Not Buddy." I started laughing and asked why. They don't like Buddy, Venus is ok because she doesn't try to bite. I started laughing louder and harder. I told my niece that she was my pick to take them if something happens to me and they need a home. She replied that Buddy needed an attitude adjustment, to which I started laughing more. She's 10 years old!!!

Her sister and brother are afraid of birds, especially in flight. Her brother (17 yo) sailed under the dining table when Buddy flew through the livingroom to the kitchen and he will not come in my house if Buddy is out of his cage because he knows he can and will fly. Buddy has never done or tried to do anything to him, he's just fearful of birds. Unfortunately for them, the few times they've been over and Buddy has flown, they start screaming, and I start laughing. It's like the squirrel scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, lol.
 

gracebowen

Active member
Jan 14, 2015
1,439
3
San Antonio
Parrots
Cora lovebird
Sky parakeet
My kids are afraid of mine too. I did manage to get Jet on my daughters shoulder once. You should have seen her face. They just don't get that bbreaking and biting are two different things.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Quite a few of my cousins and friends over the years were terrified of my parents birds, and it continues with Kiwi.

I guess I can relate though, as I am quite uncomfortable around dogs. I try to educate people about Kiwi, but I lock him up if they are really scared of him. I know I don't appreciate when people don't lock up/put outside their dogs and I have to spend my entire time at their house trying to politely avoid the dogs because they scare me and gross me out without offending the owner. I try not to put others in the same position who feel fear/uncomfortable with birds.
 

Doublete

New member
Mar 15, 2015
1,242
0
Maryland
Parrots
"Loki" turquoise GCC 1/4/15 hatch date-- "Chiqui" amazon 9/2010 hatch date---- "Banner" green parrotlet hatchdate 11/22/16

RIP "pineapple" lovebird
I've known a few people (adults) terrified of birds which always makes me laugh honestly.
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
It makes me laugh, too....and I know it shouldn't, but it does.

I tell people before they want to come over that I have both parrots AND dogs. Now the parrots are easy enough to keep in their cages if someone is really freaking out, but I refuse to lock my dogs up for anyone - they're family, and part of us. I may keep them upstairs for a while (with baby gate preventing them to come down), but even that bothers me.
 

Dopey

New member
Apr 18, 2014
1,711
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1
6
Maryland
I've done the laughing too and I know I shouldn't. Around my building they are afraid of the geese. Seriously, you need to show that goose who is boss. :D
 

Kalel

New member
Jan 2, 2015
473
8
Canada
Parrots
Sun conure named Lemon (nickname Moonie) hatched August 28, 2014, BFA Professor Green hatched August 22, 2014, Macaw Flash hatched Sept 15, 2007
I have witnessed this before too! I used to own the sweetest tamest little budgie ever and a friend of mine (18-19 yr old guy) told me he was terrified of him when he flew! Something about having the power of flight and having claws flying through the air freaked him out. He even warned me he may attack my bird in self defense if he flew at him. It was a condition that he wasn't allowed out of the cage when he was over. I complied for the safety of the bird of course, not my friend. I thought it was hilarious! A macaw, sure, I can understand. But a budgie? LOL. I guess everyone has their fears!
 

Mariar

Well-known member
May 9, 2014
1,021
169
Clearwater Florida but grew up in Wisconsin
Parrots
Doolie,Yellow nape amazon(r.i.p.03/10/15)
Sissy,severe macaw(rescued on 03-16-15) chirpy,sparrow(beak less) jack,Jill,chase,fiona,finch, and tiger,sulfer crested(rescued 04/15/20
Everyone who comes over to my house is also afraid of my bird and former bird...I also laugh but know I shouldn't..my luck she'll cause some serious damage one day. But I'm one of those people who isn't afraid of much when it comes to animals.
 

itchyfeet

New member
Nov 1, 2014
1,013
7
Middle Earth
Parrots
Ethyl the cockatiel, Henry & Clarke the IRN's, and Skittles the lovebird (my daughters)
I had my 'tiel in an aviator when dropping my children at kindy (pre-k? in the States?) once. As I was walking in, another mother immediately freaked out and hid her young child behind her, saying "don't let that thing get my kid!". I swiftly swept Ethyl into my hoodie pocket (both birds are comfy in those), and reassured her fears - that she was harnessed and wouldn't fly, she had been brought up with small children etc.

I then took her into the class once all of the parents had left. Not vindictively, just enough for all the children to know that she was a sweet and loving bird. I then chose my children, and children I knew well (not the child of the upset mum), and let the other kids see her walking all over their shoulders and arms.

It mattered to me that the child who had a frightened Mum was allowed to see the birds in a positive light, and wasn't just getting the frightened message.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Hey, I had Maggie on my shoulder the other day just sitting outside and minding our own business, drinking coffee at Starbucks...

Some 30-something lady walked by and acted like Maggie was going to attack her. Phobias exist. Every once in awhile you'll run into "one of those."

Overall, the response has been positive. Focus on that, and don't let a nut ball ruin your day.
 
OP
Taw5106

Taw5106

New member
Mar 27, 2014
2,480
25
Texas
Parrots
Buddy - Red Crowned Amazon (27 yo)
Venus - Solomon Island Eclectus (4 yo)
Buzz CAG (2 yo)
Sam - Cockatiel 1997 - 2004
Tweety - Budgie 1984 - 1987
Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
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My nephew stayed with us last week, he's scared to death of Buddy in flight. Buddy stayed in his cage most of the time. Venus still can't fly so he was ok with her being out, I even got him to the point he would touch her and gently pet her. He was surprised at how soft and silky her feathers were but it was great to see him warm up and show interest, even smile. And then Buddy ruined it, I had him out of his cage on my hand, nephew was fine until Buddy decided to fly off my hand and do a circle around the livingroom and landed on his playtop. Nephew screamed and ran to the bedroom to hide. I think Buddy did it on purpose, lol. But I did talk with my nephew asking what scared him about Buddy, he said because he can fly and he doesn't want him to eat his eyes. SERIOUSLY!!! TV, he knows what he knows from watching TV.

Like Birdman said don't let it ruin your day, I still take my fids out but I also relate my over the top phobia to what people with bird phobias feel. I can respect that.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Irrational fears are exactly that... NOT RATIONAL.

Attempting to rationalize when something/someone is being completely irrational usually doesn't work.

Show them how irrational the fear is. If they still choose to be irrational, then "DON'T TRY TO TEACH THE PIG TO SING. IT WASTES YOUR TIME, AND IN THIS CASE DOESN'T JUST ANNOY THE PIG. IT SENDS THE PIG INTO A FULL ON PANIC ATTACK..."
 

kalypso123

New member
Aug 16, 2014
281
Media
2
0
Tallahassee, Florida
Parrots
Cockatiel- Kalypso
One of my cousins likes my tiel from a distance. Kalypso is my bird its very evident in her behavior. She likes my mom and tolerates my dad. My cousin went to hold her off my finger and she hissed and lunged. Now he wont touch any bird. Kalypso has only bit one person, my dad. She tends to prefer woman which is weird as I am a male and her primary care giver, also her chosen person. She lets the vet hold her and my bird sitter. They are the only strangers at this point that she tolerates. My cousin loves her but she doesnt like him so he gets a little upset. He doesnt really understand birds though. Once/if she lets me put her harness on her she will meet more people.
 

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