Macaws: way more interesting than infants

[MissV]

So I'm an early childhood education major, and my latest assignment was to watch a short video of infants and toddlers, just, you know...hanging out. Doing things. No narration or anything, just tiny sluglettes laying there, flailing, rolling around....I was supposed to observe evidence of development and take notes.

At this same time, Etienne (my bgm) was on his way-too-big-playstand that I built for him and attempting to reel up his basket of toys to pick at what was inside.

I looked from the video to my beloved Eti and back. (keep in mind: Etienne is only 8 months old, so still very young)


Video: Infant waves rattle, staring at nothing

Eti: Grabs rope with his beak to pull the rope up

Video: Infant turns to look in miirror--flails uselessly

Eti: Pins rope under foot to further reel up the rest of the basket

Video: Infant grabs his feet--not sure what to do with them at this point

Eti: Now holding basket under his foot, he pulls the first toy to play with

Video: Infant rolls over on floor

Eti: Drops one toy and easily retrieves another

Video: Now showing slightly older babies, one is shaking a gate viciously with no foreseeable results. Another soon copies this

Eti: Having dropped the basket, is now working on reeling it back up again--doing a fine job of it

Video: Now at a group that is 18 - 36 months old, children are putting together simple puzzles, discussing what noise trains make, painting pictures, and dressing up in highheels (in fact, one boy took off his shoes to do so ^^)

Eti: Has now emptied out all the toys by turning the basket upside down so he can just chew on it.

Me: ......you're still cooler.




*achem* So yes.....further proof that Macaws do indeeed have the intelligence level of a 2 year old. Eti was beating the PANTS off those babies....but the 2-3 year olds had the clear advantage of opposable thumbs, so I'm going to say that's all just relative.

[KiwiJo]

Nice story. Turn that in as a paper! LO

[LovelySydney]

I love it!!

[TheHolisticNanny]

LMAO.......

I have both, birds and a kid, AND have nannied for all ages..... it's the hormones that make moms to baby in love crazy..... other wise they are eating pooping crying lumps til about 5-6 months when they start to roll over and then at 1yr give or take a few months when they start walking... and talking... most not even til they are two yrs old!..... hardly articulate I'd say!

YES, I do agree, birds, WAY more interesting!!!!!

and yes I'll probably have a few more.... birds AND kids.....LOL..... every ones just going to have to get along!

[kali]

I'm sticking with birds. Maybe have ONE kid. But my Fids (feathered and furred) will always be my favourites!

[Emmilyy]

Birds are alot cooler. I like kids - but only when they're from 2 years to 4 years old. Before that, all they do is eat sleep poop and cry, and after that they're annoying.

[Chico's Mom]

Great thread! Funny, we had a similar discussion at work today! Birds are definitely less trouble and less expensive than kids or grandkids. I'm glad my kids/grandkids don't read this board!

[supriser42]

I've raised four kids (two daughters of my own, one stepson and a nephew). They start out adorable, cute and all, then annoying and then, can't wait till they are out of the house. All are out on there own now and still love them all. But, bring on the birds, at least when they talk back, they get praised for it and it's cute. Kids come visit sometimes and they don't care for the birds......Hmmmmmm....strange, huh? Just had to throw out my 2 cents.

Which of the two looks more intelligent?

[Ashling]

A few months ago mum was talking to me about babies (don't ask why) and I said I'd rather a macaw thanks!

[KGWatkins]

I don't know how my two rate with babies, being smaller birds, but I would much rather clean up a little cockatiel poo off my pant leg than deal with those *gulp* diapers! Plus, birds stay just how you like them for their whole life! Kids, like everyone says, go through stages:
Cute but useless
Learning and Stinky
Mobile and destructive
Bratty and loud
In school all day and moody
Secretive and rule breaking
Angry and moody
Gone......

My girls are going to be the only babies for me for a WHILE. Plus I hear the cost of raising a child has risen a couple more thousands of dollars =.=... People think bird owners are crazy for buying the cages and the toys and the expensive food, but really... kids eat MUCH more food, they "need" MUCH more expensive toys, and lets not forget the ever elusive "in-style" for clothes............
And baby furniture is ridiculous. A regular old night stand for a thousand dollars? RUKIDDINME?!