Why birds?

Why do you love birds?
Why do they make good companions?

I love birds because they really love you back. They are so smart. They can make noices and in a way talk to you. Birds are full of personality and are so complex. All kinds fascinate me. Parrots are special no other pet is like them.

I grew up with birds but always longed for a dog. I have had dogs for 20 years. Now I dont know if i am a dog person any more . Haha i was obsessed with dogs for years training them, learning all i could, working as a vet tech, and worked at the SPCA. Now my love has gone to the birds. I have always loved birds but I feel like maybe I have always been more of a birds person after all. I still love my dogs but one is enough. I had 3 for years. I have 2 dogs now. One dog 2 birds sounds better to me now.

I have always loved all animals but birds (both inside & outside) are so interesting to watch & interact with. I've had finches, parakeets, cocketiels, canaries, doves, & now conures. They're much easier to have on my shoulder than my dog! Lol! I have mine with me much of the day even while doing dishes & going to the bathroom.
Some people just see the poop & it grosses them out. All pets have to be cleaned up after. It's not any big deal if you love them.
They make me laugh & bring me joy.

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Why do you love birds?

Think it's possibly just how one is wired, eg I love birds but do not like cats but am kinda interested in dogs but never had one. Had tortoises as a kid but dont like mice or reptiles. We are all different what actually influences us I don't know - Sailboat!

Why do they make good companions?
Not all do, again down to the conditions they are kept in and the people that keep them. Intelligence is probably the biggest factor, they have a brain and use it in quite comical ways sometimes which endears humans to them all the more.

I think a lot of my reasons are the same as yours, Snowflake. They are incredible beings, with their own desires and culture, yet they have such an immense capacity to love us -- and this is their natural state! Humans didn't make them this way by domestication, like they did dogs and cats.

I'm a bird person. Just have always loved them! Really, it's normal for dogs to love you and cats to love you as cats do...but when a bird loves you...THAT IS COOL!

Good thread topic!

I guess after growing up with them, I just couldn't imagine life without one. Well cared for birds are happy animals, they just bring a level of vibrant energy and joy to their home. I could watch Kiwi for hours. He's always doing something hilarious or cute. They are loyal too and very quickly become members of the family who want to be part of everything.

And perhaps it's a bit morbid of me, but I like that bigger parrots have long lifespans. Provided they do not get ill or critically injured, a parrot is a lifelong companion, unlike most pets. It is breaking my heart to watch my sweet little Leo slow down as he approaches the end of his lifespan. Though small and not all that exciting of a pet, he is a gentle soul and has been a constant presence in my life for over 20 years. I 'raised' him from a few months old and it's hard to imagine life without him being part of it. Barring some horrific injury or unforeseeable illness, Kiwi should live about as long as we do. I think that is easier somehow to cope with a pet aging and slowing down with you instead of lightyears ahead of you. We are still fairly young and full of energy and so is Kiwi. When we're old and slower, he will be too. To me, knowing he will most likely be around as long as me is a great comfort.

I might be one of the stranger responses....

My daughter was the bird person in the family (well my oldest brother was a bird person too, but Victoria was not close to him)... but for years she wanted birds and all I saw was noise and mess from my mother having birds when I was younger (nothing larger then tiels). And Victoria's first birds were tiels... go ahead, prepare to yell at me and horrible for an Adoption Coordinator to say, but I still am not a fan of tiels. Victoria had the tiels for years and while I did not dislike them, the often nonstop chatter of tiels and budgies drives me crazy. But, when the first green cheek came home, a whole different creature She came home named Arianna, but with her silly antics and carrying on was soon nicknamed Monkey Bird, which has stuck as her 'name' to this day. Monkey had so much personality and was so interactive and funny. I give her full credit for converting me to a bird person (but sorry no, still not a tiel fan)...

The level of interaction is almost like having a feathered child, especially with Max. Yes they are exceptionally messy and most of our home is arranged around the birds. But the cleanup is easy and bird poo (unless a health problem) does not smell or stain, so its a non issue really.

The degree of interaction and intelligence is something that appealed to me and got me hooked (or converted). And they are so incredibly individual.

Does that even answer the question!? babble, babble, babble...

Well I have always believed in humane treatment of animals and reasonable conservation but I have never been a pet person. When I married the Mrs. she had this little feathered dinosaur who was apparently part of the package deal. He and I never got along. It took me a while, but over the years I have come to understand that I will never fully understand the bond between the two. But I do respect it. From her side, anyway. I have no clue what goes on in the dino's head. But for her, it's a connection to Nature, in all its mystery, purity, eternity. And you folks here validate that for her, which I respect and appreciate. They're in love. I give up.

That's beautiful. I'm completely charmed. Thank you.
Great thread.

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird said:

Well I have always believed in humane treatment of animals and reasonable conservation but I have never been a pet person. When I married the Mrs. she had this little feathered dinosaur who was apparently part of the package deal. He and I never got along. It took me a while, but over the years I have come to understand that I will never fully understand the bond between the two. But I do respect it. From her side, anyway. I have no clue what goes on in the dino's head. But for her, it's a connection to Nature, in all its mystery, purity, eternity. And you folks here validate that for her, which I respect and appreciate. They're in love. I give up.

Click to expand...

SO this makes me think GaleriaGila and Rival_of_the_Rickeybird might know each other in real life.

Thats cute..

1 is lifespan. I have lost well-loved cat’s (I am more a cat person not a dog person) more than once. Losing a pet is a hard thing to go through. This is a big reason I like birds over other animals.
2 is sound. As much as I like cat’s, meow meow meow over and over is not pleasant to listen to. Woof Woof Woof is even worse IMO. I enjoy listening to the much more musical sound that my Tiels make. And I can’t say I enjoy my Zon’s screaming it’s something they do only under special circumstances. Of course I can’t think of very many animals you can keep in your house that can actually TALK.
3 Flight. I let my Tiels out every-day to fly around the house. I get an air-show every day and they are wonderful to watch. Again what other animal can you have in your home that can do that?
There is really too many reason to post here but these are the big ones to me.
texsize

snowflake311 said:

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird said:

Well I have always believed in humane treatment of animals and reasonable conservation but I have never been a pet person. When I married the Mrs. she had this little feathered dinosaur who was apparently part of the package deal. He and I never got along. It took me a while, but over the years I have come to understand that I will never fully understand the bond between the two. But I do respect it. From her side, anyway. I have no clue what goes on in the dino's head. But for her, it's a connection to Nature, in all its mystery, purity, eternity. And you folks here validate that for her, which I respect and appreciate. They're in love. I give up.

Click to expand...

SO this makes me think GaleriaGila and Rival_of_the_Rickeybird might know each other in real life.

Thats cute..

Click to expand...

Could even say they are playing Mr and Mrs LOL

I think for me, the number one reason is intelligence. Not just the ability to talk or do tricks, but the ability to really choose a person. A dog will usually follow whoever puts some food in their bowl, and a cat is the same. With a bird, it takes more than a few treats or a full bowl of food to win them over.

I also think that the fact that we have the ability to earn the trust and love of a wild animal is amazing. We become truly a part of the flock. Our fids treat us just as they would any flock member. Good or bad.

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As a rookie parrot owner what really drove me to getting one was how intelligent they are and how I read they can communicate with you in ways a more traditional pet cannot.

I like dogs, they're great, and some of them are smart, some not so much, but they still love you and are lovable. But to me they are too predictable and they lack variety in how they express themselves to you.

What I've learned in 6 mo of owning a 9 mo CAG, is that the ways in which she can communicate with me are endless, and she adapts to my communication. Dogs don't adapt like that.

I also love how you can almost see them interpret their surroundings in real time.

And of course the fact they can fly, how can you not be in awe of the species that fly.

As poorly as this sounds, I would consider it a fascination with unique creatures. I'm by no means a "collector", and I never aim to be. But I love different animals... animals that people look at and completely misjudge because it isn't the norm. Everyone knows cats and dogs are loving pets. Few know of the incredible love a parrot can bring into your life, or how sassy a rabbit can be, or how a rat can be the most cuddly creature on the planet, or how therapeutic it can be to talk to your snake as they wrap calmly around your wrist at night.

Whenever I talk about the animals in my life, people are always amazed. My mom always tells me how surprised she is by the depth of love a parrot can give, and how expressive they are. All of my friends and family who have met my birds are always blown away by how incredible parrots can be and how they didn't know that birds were so loving. I think part of it too is that I just like helping people learn more about animals by experiencing them the way I get to.

And I agree with April. I think it's pretty neat I get to say that my birds should live until I'm 50, though I'm hoping for longer than that! Which means they should be with me through most of the biggest moments in my life.

EDIT: Oh... and because of things like this! [ame="https://youtu.be/q5u5a3fW64M"]Cuddles - YouTube[/ame]

I am a huge animal lover and love all animals.
But parrots is my biggest passion!!!!
Love!!!! Love!!!!!! I can't live without them!!!!

Dinosrawr said:

As poorly as this sounds, I would consider it a fascination with unique creatures. I'm by no means a "collector", and I never aim to be. But I love different animals... animals that people look at and completely misjudge because it isn't the norm. Everyone knows cats and dogs are loving pets. Few know of the incredible love a parrot can bring into your life, or how sassy a rabbit can be, or how a rat can be the most cuddly creature on the planet, or how therapeutic it can be to talk to your snake as they wrap calmly around your wrist at night.

Whenever I talk about the animals in my life, people are always amazed. My mom always tells me how surprised she is by the depth of love a parrot can give, and how expressive they are. All of my friends and family who have met my birds are always blown away by how incredible parrots can be and how they didn't know that birds were so loving. I think part of it too is that I just like helping people learn more about animals by experiencing them the way I get to.

And I agree with April. I think it's pretty neat I get to say that my birds should live until I'm 50, though I'm hoping for longer than that! Which means they should be with me through most of the biggest moments in my life.

EDIT: Oh... and because of things like this! Cuddles - YouTube

Click to expand...

Love the video clip! Thanks for sharing.

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I like dogs a lot. But other peoples dogs! And they have to be clean and well behaved too, lol. Never got along much with cats. Had one and all it wanted to do was hide under the couch then pee on the carpet when I wasn't looking. Very frustrating and not the cuddle kitty I had hoped for at all. I never knew anyone with birds so I hadn't considered them until recently, like with the last year or so. I was amazed at how personable they can be, and what emotional and intelligent little creatures they are. After seeing enough of them on youtube I eventually softened up from my "stuffed pets only" stance. Having finally become a first time bird owner just a few months ago I regret not doing it sooner. They are such wonderful little creatures that can entertain, love and surprise you! I just got a little blue quaker about two weeks ago and he's already getting attached to me =). Often when I leave the room now he gives a shout as if he's saying "hey buddy! Where ya goin'?" He's getting to be quite the friendly little fella.

plumsmum2005 said:

snowflake311 said:

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird said:

Well I have always believed in humane treatment of animals and reasonable conservation but I have never been a pet person. When I married the Mrs. she had this little feathered dinosaur who was apparently part of the package deal. He and I never got along. It took me a while, but over the years I have come to understand that I will never fully understand the bond between the two. But I do respect it. From her side, anyway. I have no clue what goes on in the dino's head. But for her, it's a connection to Nature, in all its mystery, purity, eternity. And you folks here validate that for her, which I respect and appreciate. They're in love. I give up.

Click to expand...

SO this makes me think GaleriaGila and Rival_of_the_Rickeybird might know each other in real life.

Thats cute..

Click to expand...

Could even say they are playing Mr and Mrs LOL

Click to expand...

We ARE Mr. and Mrs. But I know my place. :17: My signature says it all.

Dinosrawr said:

As poorly as this sounds, I would consider it a fascination with unique creatures. I'm by no means a "collector", and I never aim to be. But I love different animals... animals that people look at and completely misjudge because it isn't the norm. Everyone knows cats and dogs are loving pets. Few know of the incredible love a parrot can bring into your life, or how sassy a rabbit can be, or how a rat can be the most cuddly creature on the planet, or how therapeutic it can be to talk to your snake as they wrap calmly around your wrist at night.

Whenever I talk about the animals in my life, people are always amazed. My mom always tells me how surprised she is by the depth of love a parrot can give, and how expressive they are. All of my friends and family who have met my birds are always blown away by how incredible parrots can be and how they didn't know that birds were so loving. I think part of it too is that I just like helping people learn more about animals by experiencing them the way I get to.

And I agree with April. I think it's pretty neat I get to say that my birds should live until I'm 50, though I'm hoping for longer than that! Which means they should be with me through most of the biggest moments in my life.

EDIT: Oh... and because of things like this! Cuddles - YouTube

Click to expand...

OK I have to ask about the therapeutic nature of a snake? This is from the context of someone who knows a person who had to deal with a passenger on a plane with emotional support animal on more than one occasion. Two very odd animals to have on a plane and to think offer support. One was a snake. The rules for being a passenger on such a flight are way out of balance, that's a different discussion for a different day.

So how is a snake therapeutic? I personally question that reptiles in general can have strong emotional attachments to an owner, even recognizable attachments in general.