What do pet bird lovers have in common?

Hi all


Since taking an interest in bird keeping and writing an app which may be useful for those who also enjoy pet birds, I've been wondering about the nature of...well...us!


I don't really know other pet bird owners so I'm hoping those of you who have experience of working or socializing with pet bird owners might shed some light on whether or not there are any general characteristics you see shared by people who like pet birds.


Initially, I thought most pet bird owners would either be kids with small caged birds and older folks with a wider range of bird, but reading through this site makes me think bird owners are more diverse.


But are there any characteristics you think most pet bird owners share? It could be character traits or socio-economic, political or environmental commonalities. Anything you think people who own birds might have in common. Obviously not every single one, but just generally.


Thanks for any ideas on the subject.

That's a very good question! I guess we are like any other pet owner? From all walks of life? But then again,you have to be a certain "type" of person to be a "parront" to a companion bird.

I started with birds at a very young age with wild birds,they just fascinated me with their colors and sounds. I set up all sorts of feeders and houses along the property to attract them. At about twelve or thirteen I raised a baby English sparrow from a baby. Then came a budgie my mom got me as a birthday gift at fourteen. Now I've been into "big" birds for over thirty years. I'll be "owned" by a parrot til the day I die!


But I guess this still doesn't answer your question does it?? :04:


Jim

Also prolly not answering your question...


Well this birdowner does not use apps because my parrot demolishes mobile phones (amongst other things) so I am using the el cheapo burner-like-phones/ old and ancient models -> no great loss.


When it comes to communicating with others it would be great to have 2 settings anyway: one for emergencies - so you can scream for help *(or be screamed at) and it will get through no matter what, and one for 'loose chatter'.
I obviously have *no* idea what apps do or do not/ I just see people around me getting awfully annoyed by getting disturbed over nothing at all but also very upset when they miss an emergency-call from family or loved ones...

What a fun question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The more I learn about that 'US', the more I think I HAVE to learn.

It'll be fun to follow your project!

Should look up that personality thread that was going not too long ago. A lot of the members tested similar.

Most bird people I've met are either crazy or weird or both. If they have things like reptiles or tarantulas even more so. I have all 3 now so I'm definitely in the both category of that statement hahaha

riddick07 said:

Should look up that personality thread that was going not too long ago. A lot of the members tested similar.

Most bird people I've met are either crazy or weird or both. If they have things like reptiles or tarantulas even more so. I have all 3 now so I'm definitely in the both category of that statement hahaha

Click to expand...

haha i'd love to see that thread on personalities. i could say i'm relatively introverted, fairly intelligent, socially awkward, middle class - whatever that means these days, middle aged, separated from wife, geeky rather than arty, and somewhat left leaning politically. i wonder how similar or not i am to other pet bird owners.

riddick07 said:

Most bird people I've met are either crazy or weird or both. If they have things like reptiles or tarantulas even more so. I have all 3 now so I'm definitely in the both category of that statement hahaha

Click to expand...

Yup.... I second that. We bird people walk our own path, march to the beat of our own drum, and do things a little differently from others. I'd theorize that people who are more introverted and more sensitive would be more likely to seek a companion bird. I also think it takes a special kind of crazy to devote all that we do to these little dinosaurs.

Mark Twain: "She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot."

This was the thread that was mentioned above - it was fun to read what everyone found. http://www.parrotforums.com/off-topic/75415-just-fun-personality-type-you.html

Things that many bird-OWNERS share (loving and owning are so different -
Appreciators of things that might be ignored by others....detail-oriented, appreciators the "little things" in general...tenacious in general (but quietly so)...sensitive to emotions but tough in the face of rejection...humor, humor, humor, patience and crazy levels of commitment, plus a logical understanding of the "nature of birds"..often holders of strong opinions (but you may or not know this by talking to them), the "loyal to a fault" type---BUT only if behavior is based on nature and not choice (bird lovers may or may not be forgiving in any situation, but they know what they took on and they see it as a duty and a privilege), not easily intimidated, enjoy projects when interested, fascinated by behavior and novel situations...that's all I can think of for now.

Honestly at work I'm ultra alpha....literally I'm the biggest A-hole and the funniest as people on "MY CREW" will attest. For instance my last review made me the highest paid person in my department, ...but it included I frightened an operator with my harsh speech to get the fu- away this is dangerous!!!

I'm very team protective, anyone else can P*** up a rope. My squad of teammates can do no wrong...unless I call them out on it, if anyone else does I'll attack like a green cheek conure. Call it tribalism, nationalism, teamism, flockism, ...I dunno....

At home I'm the gentlest owner in the world, and sweet talk and pet and treat... everything I can think of to make my birds happy, they always win every game and every playfight.

I dunno, because they are my flock? because they are family to me since I'm states away from the rest of my kin?

I actually do have a huge amount of empathy, I get very misty over movies people get misty to....

At work I'm not afraid to say "I love my little parrots" I literally say it. I almost am waiting for a challenge, someone to try to make fun of that.....to date no one ever has. Maybe my coworkers aren't as dumb as I think they are sometimes after all.

Anyways, thats me.

Feel free to psychoanalyze...

I think bird owners tend to be neurotic and introverted. I certainly qualify for both of those !

Outside of that, I have a good attention to detail (I have a good head for math/science), can be extroverted in bursts, like some amount of predictability, and will mom the heck out of all friends that come through my house with lots of food.

This thing about having good attention to detail seems to be a more common trait. I guess it may mean we are more sensitive to changes so can spot changes in detail over time more easily. Or maybe it means we are control freaks?


Most people seem to be fairly introverted although clark_conure, you seem to be an outlier there. I was a little unsettled by your 'make my day' scenario about people making fun of your love of parrots, but maybe I'm being too sensitive haha.