What positive impact have your bird(s) had on you and your lifestyle?

[Nathan1]

My birds help me eat healthier, I eat breakfast with them everyday which is fruits and or veggies. They also help me become more open and connect with people. I spend less time with technology and more time with birds, and of course they make sure I don't sleep in.

 

[Agapornis]

LOL, my sleeping in days are over! I would say the best impact my birds have made in my life, is that they keep me company when hubby is at work or on a fire (he's a firefighter). Before I got them, my house felt so quiet and empty. Now it seems to be filled with life!

On the other hand, I feel I am LESS social than I used to be. I want to rush home from work to see them, and I rarely plan weekend activities, so I can stay home with them. When I get one of those bird carrying back packs, they will get to go more places with us!

 

[jenphilly]

Ivory makes sure I don't sleep in.... does that count???

The birds make sure I own a nice vacuum... ummm, don't think that's what you are after either....

How about they let me eat some of the healthy foods I am always buying for them? I actually eat really healthy anyway, don't have the option of eating much junk food but lets throw some credit their way anyway

Ivory does keep me busy and company, which when dealing with the health crap and having days it is tough to just get up and moving, sometimes it does help to have the company.

 

[RavensGryf]

Wow guys, I guess I'm lucky that I've never had birds who wake me up? I keep them covered, and that's pretty effective over here. They will sleep in if the humans have the chance to. The Budgies are by far the ones most likely to start making noise in the morning even while covered.

Oh, I almost forgot to answer the OP .... Well, though I do try to eat "healthy" the birds make it more convenient to eat veggies, since we always have fresh produce around.
Also, in tough or depressing times, they give me a good reason to lift my head up each day

 

[Terry57]

Wow, there are so many ways my fids have enriched my life, it is hard to choose. I would honestly have to say that one of the most wonderful ways they have impacted my life is that I would never have met any of you if I didn't have them
I have also learned the joy of watching a bird who came from a deprived home blossom with attention, and the unconditional love I receive from them.
Sure, I have to get up early each day, and I am also less social than I used to be, they always come first...but the gifts I have received form them so outweigh the negatives

 

[Kiwibird]

Kiwi has given me a greater level of responsibility, patience and reduces my anxiety level, if that counts Plus, he's my special little buddy. I'm not a real big people person, but I like having my Kiwi around. I'm not the type to call up a friend to "vent" about any issues or problems, but I'll talk at Kiwi, and while he doesn't understand, he nods his little head and then makes some cute noise and cheers me right up. And his "questionable" behavior is (almost) always explainable, whereas people....not so much.

 

[Taw5106]

I still get to sleep in. Buddy and I have been together for 9 days and when he's covered he stays quiet. I was shocked because I had a cockatiel that crowed with the roosters and I NEVER got to sleep in. I'm waiting for Buddy to tell me when it's time to get up soon, once he's fully settled in. I really enjoy Buddy, he's great company and has me laughing. I work from home, I get up and roll to my computer but I don't see or talk to people often. It's a bit depressing, but since Buddy has been here, I've started getting up early, have coffee, wake Buddy up with good morning. Then I get his breakfast together, fruit and veggies. He's so chatty in the mornings and wants a head rub so he's got me smiling first thing. I'm loving it. He's been a positive change and impact for me.

 

[jenphilly]

Wow, there are so many ways my fids have enriched my life, it is hard to choose. I would honestly have to say that one of the most wonderful ways they have impacted my life is that I would never have met any of you if I didn't have them
I have also learned the joy of watching a bird who came from a deprived home blossom with attention, and the unconditional love I receive from them.
Sure, I have to get up early each day, and I am also less social than I used to be, they always come first...but the gifts I have received form them so outweigh the negatives

I have to second Terry's thoughts that one of the positive things is meeting many of the people here! That is kinda an indirect effect of the birds, but still would not have been if not looking for info and answers from other bird lovers!

 

[Birdman666]

People are "positive" that I am nuts now... does that count?!

Rehabbing parrots down at the bird rescue got me through an ugly divorce... My red lored amazon trained my ex-wife to behave. (My ex was afraid of her, and when my ex got even an inch out of line, my Red Lored would go "Big Bird" on her butt... I didn't have to say a word. End of argument.) Training parrots gave me something entertaining and fascinating to do when I was broke. They have given me emotional support through the tough times, and made me laugh through the good times...

They have provided me with companionship and love...

 

[jenphilly]

People are "positive" that I am nuts... does that count?!

You're in good company at least

 

[lquan]

The addition of my Lily does not impact mine and my children's lives much, but it surely impacts my wife negatively a bit. My wife and I can still sleep in provide that our children don't get out of their beds. My Lily is trained poop on the newspaper outside next her sleeping cage then fly into the children's bathroom every morning to wait for me. We get to sleep in as long as the kids don't use their bathroom. As soon as Lily hears the children footsteps, she flies out and start looking for me all over the house. And if I am not there, she won't fly to her pooping spot next her sleeping cage to do her second big splash. She could poop on the children shoulders or in their beds in the heat of excitement. That's more work for me or my wife. But if I am the first person Lily sees when she flies out of the bathroom, she will land on my hand, give me kisses, flies to the perch over the newspaper next to her sleeping cage to poop. Lately, I have been telling my kids to sneak out of bed quietly, slowly close the bathroom door so Lily can't come out, and go use the bathroom downstairs. It has been somewhat working, but my kids are young and clumsy. They can't walk quietly enough so Lily can't hear them. Lily usually storms out of the bathroom the moment one of my kids starts walking on the wood floor.

We always go out on the weekends and holidays. So far I have been able to fit Lily into our travelling plans. She usually get to travel with us. My wife thinks these are inconvient chores, so I have to do all of the planning while listening to her complaining.

Lily is so attach to our family that I can take her outside unrestrained without having her flies away. My concern are hawks in our area, so she always go outside in her travelling cage. Lily flew out of the house a few times to chase after us, but she always follow us in as soon as all of us come back inside the house. She got locked outside of the house one time and still waited for us by the door. My wife is under constant guard so Lily can't fly out of the house. That is very stressful for her. Again, more complaints about owning a bird.

I was born in the city, but love the country life. I love to have pets and large patch of land to keep me distant from crowded neighbors. But my wife who was born in the country, hated the country due to the lack of modern convenient available in the city. When she was young, her family had chickens, and they pooped all over. Chickens sneaked into her house through unscreened windows and through any openings they could find. Her younger brothers left door opened and they came in. She had to clean their poops so much she got nightmares till this day. She would go into bed and found poop there sometimes, poops on the dinning table while she was preparing food and just walked away for a few seconds, she stepped on poops inside and outside, etc. I trained Lily to poop on tables so I can easily wipe them off. Even though I do most of the poop cleaning, this gives my wife stress. She is wondering how I am going to keep up all of these cleaning when I am older. When Lily is out, it seems like I am constantly cleaning Lily's poop and not much time for anything else. By the way, my wife is a clean freak.

My wife loves Lily and Lily loves her. But she doesn't have the same level of understanding and patience for feathered animals like me. My wife's voice is clean and clear so Lily responses to her voice commands well. I guess that's what make Lily lovable to her most days. Thank goodness Lily took my potty training well. I couldn't ask for more from a conure. I am glad I got a conure instead of larger a parrot; less forgiving and larger poop mess. Conure is such forgiving bird.

 

[crimson]

I feel more relaxed, especially when I'm around them.
I never would have understood or experienced what it is like to hold a wee little chick, that fell asleep due to the warmth of my hands.

when those little faces peer up at you looking at you like your their mother.

everyday I am filled with such gratitude that they have enriched my life beyond words.
I love each and every one of them, and they put a smile on my face each and everyday.
they never cease to amaze me.

@ Nathan-great question!!

 

[inge]

We have only had this birdie for about six weeks, but my first answer is that she has reminded us to keep an open mind.
A couple of months ago, my husband (especially) and I had no interest in being bird owners. But an emergency came up with a family member and we found ourselves in, head first. Now, my husband is the one who is loviest on her, brags to his buddies about the cute things she does, and frankly we are both smitten.
I think of myself as a very healthy eater, but I find myself actually forcing myself to make veggies (I am vegetarian) every night with the intention of letting her have some (no luck yet). Same with breakfast. Used to just do coffee. Now I get some granola and let her eat out of my bowl (yup) and slice fruit for us (me, cause she doesn't eat it).
Reminded me to be eco conscious with my housecleaning products.
Makes me aware of, and appreciative of, my big galute of a German Shepherd who is so well behaved around the bird. Good girl!
Reminds me I need to train our new puppy to be same (mostly she is, but still gets excited if birdie flies across the room).
Made me throw away my teflon pans that are not good for any of us anyway. Now just need to learn how not to burn the eggs.

 

[Tangie]

Well, there is so many positive impacts my parrots have given to me over the years. They have helped me understand animals a little bit more. They help me wind down after a stressful day. They provide well-needed humor and happiness in my life. I never knew how much I could truly love and provide for an animal until now. Kiko has given me the utmost joy, and it's so worth it, even if sometimes I stress over his health. Now I don't spend my earned money on myself, I use it for my birds. I feel needed. Because of the healthy lifestyle that parrots need, I have started go eat healthier as well.

Also, it feels so good to see an abandoned, sickly bird become better with love, proper food, and attention. And most of all, Kiko most of all, has helped me struggle through my anxiety-filled and lonely times, as well as helping me slowly heal from Tangie's death that had battered me so much until I received him.

I suddenly realized, after writing this post....that my family truly thinks I am a lunatic with revolving and talking about parrots all the time.

 

[Caesar]

My Ekki gets me out of the house . We go for walk and a fly down at the local park.

 

[Tangie]

People are "positive" that I am nuts now... does that count?!

Rehabbing parrots down at the bird rescue got me through an ugly divorce... My red lored amazon trained my ex-wife to behave. (My ex was afraid of her, and when my ex got even an inch out of line, my Red Lored would go "Big Bird" on her butt... I didn't have to say a word. End of argument.) Training parrots gave me something entertaining and fascinating to do when I was broke. They have given me emotional support through the tough times, and made me laugh through the good times...

They have provided me with companionship and love...

I think a lot of us are classified as 'nuts' from our fellow peers. I know I am labelled as that from my family. I take it as a compliment. So I think it counts.

 

[Birdbrain91]

I sing and dance more. My macaw loves to listen to the radio and sing and dance. I can't help but smile and laugh when I'm with them.

 

[Chelle]

My birds give me something to look forward to when the kids are off to school!

Being a stay at home mom can get lonely at times!!!!

 

[goalerjones]

Regular routine
Gets me out of my own little world
Having a baby experience without the baby.
Still fascinated by birds
Allows me to get rid of unwanted blood.

 

[witchbaby]

This is such a great thread.

I'm much, much happier overall when I have birds in my life.