Do birds care about you using the computer for things like Zoom calls?

[GrmpMan]

I am considering getting a pet bird, but I have heard that trying to talk on the phone can cause some issues. Is this the same with having a computer and being on a call with other people with a microphone and headphones? Does it being on speakers help? I would want to have them by me at my desk for most of the day, but I am very often on calls with others. I was thinking of getting a Cockatiel, Parrotlet, or a Parakeet. Any advice on the matter would be much appreciated.

 

[bigfellasdad]

My CAG cares less about video calls but when she hears my sons voice in particular she does 'happy fluff' as she does when he meets her.

 

[Flboy]

Two potential issues! My JoJo is extremely jealous when he realizes I am talking on any device to anyone! And his yell- it’s the perfect pitch! It hits the peak of my phone’s frequency response! Blasting out who ever I am talking to! Even behind a closed door!

 

[Allylang1]

My GCC wants to be involved in EVERYTHING I am doing. He’s not loud, but trying to kiss people on zoom...when I’m typing he loves to help type (attack every key). My budgie is super loud and I usually have to leave the room when on the phone or zoom...

 

[noodles123]

I mean, what kind of job do you have? They will make noise for most of the day (chirping/chattering/whistling etc), so you will be able to hear the bird in the background most of the time, even though it probably won't usually be screaming (although that can happen too).. If I am in my bird's sight, she will sometimes annoy me while on the phone-there have been times when I have had to leave or apologize due to the volume, but I have a different type of bird (so the comparison isn't ideal). The thing is, yours will chatter a lot and probably scream occasionally, but they aren't silent, even though their volume isn't as loud as a bigger parrot.

If you work in an office where chemicals or non-stick pans are used in the break-room (or candles, air fresheners, cleaners etc)...That is also going to pose a problem for the bird.
They have SUPER sensitive respiratory systems.

The other thing is that PetSmart cages etc advertised for tiels and parakeets are WAY too small- so you will want a cage that is on the larger side...even for a smaller bird...The ones that most people remember kids keeping parakeets in are pretty inhumane, so space is another consideration, as is the extreme mess they make.

My bird does care about the phone, but not in a jealous way really...I mean, she does need a lot of attention, but she doesn't scream or something just because I am on the phone (although she will talk to people on Zoom etc).

 

[Squeekmouse]

This is Yoda when I am on Zoom.

 

[noodles123]

lol- yes-- that does happen

 

[bill_e]

When I work I'm on the phone all day. I use either speaker or headphones. Nike becomes very vocal when she hears me talking and I cant hold a phone up to my ear when she's on my shoulder.

If she's near my computer she will be insistent on hopping on my keyboard to tear off the keys.

I usually perch her in a different room but she can still be heard by all so the mute button will become your friend.

Between my birds and my dog this has been going on for at least 20 years so people are used to it....plus they need me so they have to put up with it

 

[bigfellasdad]

Proper answer this time, Enzo is ok when im on the phone, she says hello to everybody before I do, she will often chat away and when she gets bored she will say, 'hmmm,ok, ok, bye!'. I probably talk weekly to around 100 people either directly on a call or on a conference call, I have not had a single complain from people and in fact, people ask about Enzo now if she is being quiet. I try to go on mute when i'm not talking. Keeping in her cage was a failed exercise, she will just call me more often with her telephone sounds.

 

[Scott]

Parrots are extremely visual and love to watch computer/smartphone screens. Expect reactions both amusing and potentially irritating.

 

[Talven]

My wife's conure HATES the telephone with a passion. He will attack it aggressively. He will bite your fingers or any other part of you he can reach if you are holding a phone of any sort if you are speaking or he can hear someone on the other end. Video calls to my grandson and daughter and he couldn't care less. He just gets on with his own thing.

 

[GrmpMan]

Thank you everyone. Everything you guys covered is something I am willing to handle and expected. I was very anxious that I might be a bigger issue than I could find out elsewhere!

 

[noodles123]

please watch!
Assuming you are new to birds
[ame="https://youtu.be/xwvsbJuCQsg"]YouTube[/ame]

 

[LaManuka]

Like many things, individual results will vary. Some birds don't care, some do, and some REALLY do. Val the budgie couldn't care less. Fang the cockatiel will just sit with his dad, gazing at him wistfully with that "Dad, look at me, pay attention to meeeeeeeeeeeeee" look on his face while he's on the phone. Lilly Pilly on the other hand will flap over from wherever she is, line herself up with the phone and scream blue murder! Sometimes she also likes to help her dad when he's doing some work from home on his laptop, and by "help" I mean she likes to jump on the keyboard while he's typing. She HAS deleted at least one of his work emails - given that her dad is a policeman how important could that email possibly have been anyway right? Well at least I think it's funny

 

[Jazzop]

1. Do you live in a one-room studio? If you have at least 2 rooms, this seems like a non-issue. If you don't have multiple rooms, then you probably don't have enough space for a humanely-sized cage.


2. Is your main concern regarding potential parrot ownership that it might interfere with your business life? That strikes me as a red flag.

 

[texsize]

Bingo is the only real problem.
When I have him with me Prohibited items are.

Cell Phone.
iPad.
Landline handset.

Use of any of the above items will cause Bingo to walk over and gently bite the offending digit/device.
Talking on the phone causes eye pinning and feather fluffing and hissing. I must disengage with the bird or the phone or there will be blood.

None of my other birds sit with me like Bingo But …
I have had Bella on my shoulder when I tried to take a call. She really attacked the handset.

Luna has had a strong reaction to my iPad.
In the beginning she would fly to me and land on my iPad while I was playing with it.
I started showing her parrot videos while she was perched on my iPad. She was fascinated and always looking at the back side of the iPad to see where those birds were coming from.
To This day the iPad is the only sure fire way to get her to step up and move her from place to place,

 

[Inger]

1. Do you live in a one-room studio? If you have at least 2 rooms, this seems like a non-issue. If you don't have multiple rooms, then you probably don't have enough space for a humanely-sized cage.


2. Is your main concern regarding potential parrot ownership that it might interfere with your business life? That strikes me as a red flag.

Or maybe that OP is being smart and doing all of their research before diving in. Also, I’ve been in several studio apartments that have plenty of room for a nice, large cage for the little guys they’re taking about.


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