Are birds empathic and psychotic?

[thermodynamic]

Tybbi, my adult adoption, gets increasingly spazzed if I read a distressing news article. He really got loud and sounded distressed, but he's ten feet away.

It's as if he can tell I am upset and reacts the same way.

Once I closed the browser window and started talking to him calmly, he clearly followed suit.

He's not bonded to me yet, or to the "cuddle level" I hope he will warm up to, but I've noted this pattern. When I'm upset, he gets upset too.

He might be the best thing to come into my life. He's like a little "stress-o-meter" and if I keep mine down, he'll be less stressed as well, it seems.

 

[ann]

parrots are very good at reading our facial expressions and moods, that could be why he reacts that way. you can really use this in training to put him in a better, more ready to learn mood, and reward him with food and praise

 

[thermodynamic]

parrots are very good at reading our facial expressions and moods, that could be why he reacts that way. you can really use this in training to put him in a better, more ready to learn mood, and reward him with food and praise

Thanks!

I know he gets much praise and occasional treats when he does good... and, over the last 2 weeks, he's opened up much. He's less resistant to come out of the cage, and as of today he's letting me scratch his neck feathers and I can feel pin feathers in there too. Only for short periods of time as he's still adjusting and not used to me, but given how far he's opened up, these are all eminently good signs... I think!

He also preened while perched on my arm.

It is clear he is fighting a mindset of biting at times when he sees a hand come forward, but he's had so much time with me that he is trusting me more. And I do my darndest to hide any such emotion for him to pick up on, because he will not be in control of me. And, so far, that's been working too.

Now, with luck, he'll bond more with me over time. But, so far, everything that's been happening has been positive...

Actually, he is in control of me - I will be reading news sites less frequently. I don't need to spaz over every little news article, either, and knowing he reacts to my emotional state will be a symbiotic impetus...

 

[ann]

glad to see hes coming along so well! I agree about the news, there is so much bad news on the news. Always stories of shootings, war, illness, they should have a channel just for good news to brighten peoples day