Behaviorists or pet psychics?

[Chariclo]

Just curious if anyone has ever invited in a bird behaviorist or pet psychic to help with your birds? And if so - what did you learn?

[Monica]

I've thought about it plenty of times, but then again I think about one that belongs to the local bird club here, and I change my mind...

The reason being is that when I was at one of the meetings (before I was a member, I believe) the so called pet psychic had three budgies (she was showing photos of her birds and what she feeds them). By her standerds she had 2 males, and one female. She kept them separate so that they wouldn't breed. If she was a pet psychic by my standards, she would have known that she had 3 males....

I'd go more with a behaviorist unless the pet psychic is a good reputable one by every one of its customers...

[Graehstone]

I'll take a shot at the Pet Psychic seeing as how I had a run-in with one of those at the last Bird Mart here in my area.
And I can sum it up in one word ... Hooey.
On my worst of days, be it because of pain or being "over" medicated or just having one of those brainfart days, I will always be more in tune with my birds, or any other bird for that matter, than any self proclaimed Bird/Pet Psychic.
All they do is feed on the naivete of those poor souls that have no life or only half a brain.
Before the show on Animal Planet (Pet Psychic) even aired for the first time, she was exposed as a fraud.
And the one I talked to at the show tried her hardest to ignore me after my first two sentences to her, and after that she literally ran from the display she had set up because I kept asking questions she couldn't answer without having to resort to some metaphysical bullsh** that noone understood in the first place.

Behaviourists on the other hand come in two groups I would say.
1 : Those who own birds and have for a very long time and actually know what they are talking about.
2 : Those that have read all the books and own a budgie.

What ever anyone tells you, make sure you take it with a grain of salt. Do the research for yourself and take all things into consideration from whatever sources you get and then make up your own mind.
There are too many people out there that take what they are told as gospel simply because they are lazy to do the research for themselves.

I can't wait for the next Bird Mart in the hopes the Bird Space Cadet will be there again, lol.

[cgrite]

well said Graeh.....and I totally agree with the Hooey!

C'mon now!

[Chariclo]

Now you guys - I thought this would provide for good discussion

I'm sure there is someone out there that has had a good experience with either of these "professionals"...

anyone?

[Tiki]

About the psychic part, I am going to agree with Graeh and Cliff-hooey! Just someone capitalizing on the problems of pet owners and trying to make a name for themselves on tv.

Bird behaviourists sound more scientific if you mean the sort of people who go out and study the behaviour of birds in the wild and pet birds.

Like Graeh said, a good pet owner should be more in tune with the feelings of their pet than any stranger. Though if your bird is acting really weird or plucking feathers a lot you really need to consult an avian vet to make sure it isn't a physical problem like giardia.

The one thing that really struck me when I first got into birds back in 2000 is how emotional and feeling they really are. I have seen my birds express love, jealousy, protectiveness, sadness, frustration and just plain silliness. All part of their charm I guess! 8)

[Candice]

What exactly is a bird behaviorist? Like a psychologist for birds ? or like a trainer? Or are they totally different?

[Lynjupiter]

Behaviorist are not always great either. They all have their own opinions and ways of doing things. One we had at our bird club told the members they should never give their bird more than 15 minutes of one on one love time and out of cage time. That they should always go back in the cage wanting more.
More than one member got so riled at the suggestion they about booed him out the door. It was a bunch of bunk. Behaviorist need no training no certification. About anyone here can call themselves behaviorist and get away with it.

A behaviorist is someone who helps you teach your nbird to behave. You cal;l them to help with plucking, biting, screaming and other problems. Some like Sally Blanchard are great others are as much con artists as pet psychics are.
If you use one get reccomendations on them and ask for refrences.
Lynda

[Graehstone]

Actually, WE, the Owners, are the experts. We are the ones that deal with the day to day problems, albeit there might be some situations that are beyond us, but then that's where this board comes into play. There is nothing that we can't fix, one way or another, or at least provide answers and make you understand the hows, whys and what nots.
It's just like raising children, because that's what we are doing, we are raising 3 to 5 year olds for the rest of our lives.
I think this board has the potential to answer all the questions and provide the best information that Money can't buy.
I really would recommend to anyone to come here first before they throw out their money on the so called "experts".
I am not saying that there aren't really good ones out there because there are, just that most of the behaviour problems can be helped/fixed by the members here who have gone through those things that you might have a problem with.

Gets me to think of the new show coming out on TV "Super Nanny" who comes and teaches you how to raise your children. I would rather die first than have my face plastered on national TV for everyone to see what an incompetant parent I am.

Just my two cents for what it's worth

[diamondstars]

Bird behaviorist or pet psychic are a bunch of phoney people taking naive peoples monies. Hey if your that naive to throw away your money then just send me the money and I will send you a 100 page document in detailing what is wrong with your pet without even see the bird

I agree with what the others have said.. You will know your bird the best and if you have a question ask one of the people on the board or go see a avian vet.