confessions of a bird huffer.

[JawzX]

Ok, some of you may find this a bit cazy, even for our community, but here here goes:

I'm a bird huffer.

it started when I was a small child, 6 years old. It was at this time that we got our first chickens. The first time I held a chick up to my face and inhaled I was hooked. Ad the chickens grew up you could often find me carying one of the hens around with my face buried in its back feathers... Smelling the bird smell. Soon it had pogressed to a Budgie, for in house huffing, and then a turkey (I still miss Turkey Lurkey, she was a good bird, and so MUCH bird smell!)

the last of the chickens died of old age, as did the Budgie, and I left home for college... For 14 years my huffing was limited to occasional use of other people's birds, petting zoo visits, and friendly chickens found wandering near farms...

Now I have a bird again full time, and I'm back to my old ways... Every time she sits on my shoulder I can't resist a sniff... A longer sniff... And when she is being tolerant, a full-fledged, nose-burried-in-neck-feathers huff.

*sniiiiiiiiif* ahhhh, the smell of birds! How I love that slightly earthy/dusty feather smell, the slight oily tang of clean, well-preened feathers, it's comforting, addictive, and weird as hell.

So I'm curious, any other huffers out there willing to come out of the closet and share their addiction? Or am I really messed up beyond salvation? An I destined to crouch in a lonely alley corner by myself, sniffing the pidgeons and sparrows after news of my habbit reached my employer, destroying my career and family relations....? Please say I'm not alone here.

anyone? Anyone? Bueler?

 

[JawzX]

come on, you Amazon owners out there can't tell me your crysanthemum-scented birds don't get a sniff now and then? And what about Macaws? Sometimes they smell like mixed fruit and musk, or the rosy, popcorny, calming scent of a cockatoo? Lovebirds can smell like sugar and spice! Budgies and my Alexandrine, (and most fowl) smell earthy, with a slightly oily tang that reminds me of an old, comfortable oil-cloth raincoat, only more subtle and intoxicating... My one encounter with an eclectus was honey and talcum powder, sweet and dusty, mmmmm.... Cockatiels can be slightly stinky though... Like mild foot odor...

god, I am weird aren't I? I know birds by their smell...

 

[Von1983]

No you aren't weird at all! I LOVE bird smell <3

When I was a kid my mum's friend bred budgies and I LOVED being in there. I had my own birds over the years and never stopped loving the smell.

I had frequent tics and bites and all sorts from cuddling my sisters hen's haha!

It's a very very comforting smell when you grew up with birds.

 

[SharonC]

I often bury my nose in Levi's feathers. Fred smells wonderful...I don't bury my nose in him yet, but I LOVE to smell him from as close as I dare to get....

 

[AndrewH]

I wouldn't consider myself a bird sniffer, but I have noticed that my macaw has a sweet smell. The cockatoo smells neutral.

 

[Dj tweet]

No birds yet but They on their way and I can't wait for a sniff
my old ring neck x moustache used to remind me of old spice ( god I love that smell )
hope my new moustache smells as good
What do king parrots smell like ???
We may be weird but everyone had their vices
better sniffing birds that cocaine

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I'm more of a kitten huffer myself.

One must be careful with the recreational use of bird huffing. Sure it starts with chickens ....
http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Chicken_Huffing

EDIT: Those without a sense of humor should not read that article. And if you do - don't blame me!

 

[Bobby34231]

While I'm sure this thread was started out of humor, there are younger members and members who are new to birds that may not realize this, for health reasons I wouldn't suggest anyone go around inhaling bird dander on a regular basis, that being said there's a reason why there's a warning label on a tube of Preperation H that states: this product should not be taken orally.......for those that are easily persuaded.....Heres Your Sign! :11:

 

[Auggie's Dad]

there's a reason why there's a warning label on a tube of Preperation H that states: this product should not be taken orally....

Oh dear.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZAtpFXmQE"]YouTube - Preperation H[/ame]

Note: similar disclaimers as previous post apply.

 

[Bobby34231]

I have to say AD, on the whole/hole that fits exactly what I was saying :09:

 

[bogo1]

Guilty...my old conure used to lean against my lips when I would read in bed.sweet clean feathers.

 

[JawzX]

oh dear:

The World Federation of Parrot Sniffers | Facebook

 

[SharonC]

I didn't think anything could ever beat the "puppy smell" but the Amazon smell does indeed beat it! Fred loves his showers which reduces the smell, though...

 

[Hurricane]

After reading this I don't feel like so much of a weirdo. I used to love the way that my parakeet smelled when I was younger, as she was the only bird that I was allowed to be mostly responsible for. Sev smells slightly musky and it reminds me of the damp smell that was always present at the top of our cellar stairs. I love it!

 

[HRH Di]

Each of our birds has his/her own distinct smell. It's weird.

 

[Kokihi]

I really like how my bird smells too.

 

[wildheart]

I am glad I am not alone! When ever my IRN is in my face I cant help but take a deep sniff - she smells BEAUTIFUL!

 

[Vivica]

When my conure gets a shower with his daddy, I always love to sniff his wet feathers. Smells so musky and potent. And he looks quite silly too. Do you all find that their smell is amplified when they're wet? I do, and I always make sure I get a whiff. Haha.