Parrot Sensitivity to Emotions

[Skyebirdsmom]

Parrot Sensitivity to Emotion
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD

Parrots are highly empathic - simply put, they feel our emotions. Some might call this statement a classic case of anthropomorphism, but I guarantee you, they're people who don't live with birds, as all of us who do have no doubts about our companions capacity for empathy! This is an important factor in dealing with all aspects of sharing your home with a parrot, as it directly affects behavior and is a common undercurrent in behavioral problems. If you feel anger towards a bird, he's going to pick up on it.

In many cases where I'm called in to do a behavioral consultation, I find the underlying problems usually begin with that's going on with the humans in the household. I often tell people they need to lower their energy before picking up a high strung or agitated bird. It's also why some people are "macaw people, " some "Amazon people" and some "Cockatoo people" - some human personalities just mix better with certain bird personalities - all because of the bird's ability to pick up on and reflect our moods. I often find feather pluckers are living in high stress homes and like small children, the constant yelling and emotional outbursts cause the bird to self-mutilate, just as it can cause a young child to withdraw inside himself.

I remember the first time I watched "Paulie" - although it's meant to be an amusing family film, I found parts of it so incredibly sad that I openly wept as I watched it. Amber, my Blue and Gold Macaw, climbed down off her playstand, waddled over and climbed up my chair, into my lap. She touched the tears rolling down my face with her tongue, then gently rubbed her cheek up and down my cheek. I know she was trying to comfort me. Another time, in Arizona, I was laying on my bed deeply depressed, when a cockatiel I'd hand-fed "Peaches," came over, turned his head sideways to look at me, then laid his little head on the pillow right next to mine. I was so touched.

It's ironic that this topic was on my writing schedule at this time, as I've been dealing with some bad news the past two weeks about my Dad in Arizona. He fell and became paralyzed and was taken to the hospital, where it turned out he has cancer that's spread from his spine throughout his body. So the past two weeks, I've been very tense, and worried and upset - and very short tempered. Amber has been a complete brat during these same two weeks - screaming, being nippy, and not wanting to step up off her playstand. Outwardly, it would be easy to get agitated and wonder why Amber is picking NOW to be so out of sorts, but I know she's simply reacting to my own roller coaster emotions. Clients often tell me their bird started biting "for no reason" - I always look more closely at what's going on with the humans at these times and I usually find the answer. I used to be a psychotherapist and I'll tell you, those skills come in handy as a bird behaviorist!

So, if your bird suddenly starts behaving differently, look at your own emotions and consider what problems may be going on in the household. Then, take a deep breath, have some patience and understanding, and sit down for a nice calming cuddle session with your buddy!

[Vankarhi]

That is very interesting. I have heard it before, but maybe you explained it better. You are an animal behavourialist??? What a great job to have.!! Maybe I should look into something like that in a few years when I have a little more time. LOL. Like that will ever happen. But I am good with all sorts of animals, having been raised with a multitude of different species all my life and doing the same for my kids. I am pretty good at reading animals moods and needs etc, but to actually "understand" why they do things on a more deeper level would be just so great. Plus you get to work with animals and see the improvements, how rewarding. sort of like working with damaged children and seeing their improvements.

Just reread your post and realised you are probably not the author of that article. Doesn't matter it was good anyway and I still meant all I said.

[Franciscus]

Tracey,
If you read the black text at the top of the post you'll see the author's name.


I have read many times that birds are empathetic towards us. It makes sense to me.

[indybirds]

That's very cool. I know my dogs can sense my emotions. My mood goes right down the leash and onto them. Which is why I can't train when I am sad/mad/upset in any way. I wondered if birds would also be the same. Sounds like they can be.

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by Vankarhi

That is very interesting. I have heard it before, but maybe you explained it better. You are an animal behavourialist??? What a great job to have.!! Maybe I should look into something like that in a few years when I have a little more time. LOL. Like that will ever happen. But I am good with all sorts of animals, having been raised with a multitude of different species all my life and doing the same for my kids. I am pretty good at reading animals moods and needs etc, but to actually "understand" why they do things on a more deeper level would be just so great. Plus you get to work with animals and see the improvements, how rewarding. sort of like working with damaged children and seeing their improvements.

Just reread your post and realised you are probably not the author of that article. Doesn't matter it was good anyway and I still meant all I said.

No, and thank you, but I can't claim authorship to that piece of work. I thought I included the name of the author at the top of the article. But thank you for thinking I did, LOL I have experienced this with all 6 birds I've had, so I know it's true.
Linda & Skye~

[kensbuns]

I am for sure this is the truth simply because if Kenny and I have an argument Bogart is simply the most loving bird I have. Allegra however will get on my shoulder as if to protect me and growl at Kenny LOL!!! My guys just love to protect and comfort their MaMa!!

[Vankarhi]

Francsicus, I did finally re read and saw the black text above the pink writing, that was when I realised the author. I am sometimes a bit slow. LOL, Actually I quickly skim things and miss things until I re read them. A bad fault I know, but always in such a hurry.

I also know my dogs feel my emotions, I have had many an experience as a child when I would be crying outside in the yard by myself and one of the dogs would come and push themselves into me and just sit there touching me and licking me.

[pbyeerts]

My husband and I have had our own experience with our blue and gold macaw, Nimo regarding his screaming. Before we got his sleeping cage for the back room, Nimo would scream quite a bit in the morning, which set my husband on edge before his busy day. Mark would have bad thoughts about Nimo because he was mad and stressed by the early morning screaming. Well...... Mark began to change his attitude and Nimo stopped screaming in the morning. Mark began to think calm and loving thoughts about Nimo as he was getting dressed (upstairs), and Nimo would call out to him to say Hello! Mark would answer back and when he came downstairs, Nimo would be sitting quietly waiting to say good morning. This is the only reason after examining all the other factors as to why Nimo changed his behaviour. So believe it - parrots really CAN read your mind LOL! Pamela