Being kind to new bird owners here

[AprilRobin]

I've seen a couple of posts, where it seems like one or two people were eager to scold/criticize a new bird owner. Yes, there are times when a person just seems outright irresponsible and not serious about their bird(s). Yes, everyone should research and learn some very basic things before getting a bird.

However, there are new users who seem to genuinely care about their new feathered friend(s) and they want to make a happy, healthy home. They post here and receive comments such as...

"Did you not know/think that..?"
"Then why did you...?"
"Why would you...?"
"You had no idea that parrots/birds...?!"
"If you...then why would you...?"

All of us were new owners at some point.

 

[LaManuka]

@AprilRobin, I hope that the posts you're referring to are older ones, because kindness to new members is something the mod team takes very seriously here these days. To the extent where a post on this subject written by one of the mod team, @Terry57, appears at the top of this very sub-forum ...

Please think before you type

We know that every single one of us are passionate about not only our birds, but about all birds. Sometimes when we see someone doing something that we disagree with, it's hard to watch our manners. We need to remember that everyone does not have the same access to avian vets, food, or cages...

www.parrotforums.com

All of us were bird newbies once, indeed I have had birds for over 50 years and I would never pretend to know everything. Criticizing or judging anyone, whether a new or existing member, does neither that person nor their bird any good, so it certainly is not something we condone here. Sometimes people just don’t know what they don’t know, and all too often if they are harshly criticized they will just leave the forum, and then their bird will get no help at all and that is most definitely not what we want. Kindness costs nothing, but it could make all the difference in the world to someone else, and to their bird too.

 

[wrench13]

I don't know how anyone could take my responses / critisisms for anything less than being full of the milk of human kindness.

F'ing idiots that they are.

 

[rheashard2]

I emphasize with new owners. Using written words on forums that don't seem critical can be difficult. The same words can mean different things. Heck, I can become annoyed depending upon mood, temp, time of day, weather, season, phase of moon, bank balance to name a few. All pet owners should continue and be open to learning. My CAG was 20+ when I came here. I found chop recipes here. It blew up my mind when she actually ate some. She looks forward to it. When her light comes on, first stop (after poop) is her chop stop. That never happened in previous decades. I tried a variety of recipes. My feelings are a bit hurt. I'm expected to make the chop daily. No more more skip days. I alternate between joy and annoyance.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I'm sorry i sounded so abrupt in a response to a recent post. It really isn't like me to be that short with people. In my defense, I've been very sick this past several days unable to breathe with my asthma along with the flu. I was transported by ambulance to the hospital three times in three days for oxygen.

I'm just happy I made it and lived to post this apology. To error is human to forgive is divine, but to survive a close call is priceless.

 

[onamom]

Just a reminder to please feel free to send a message to a mod if you ever see anyone you believe is acting unkind toward another member.