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Windows and Mirrors

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Windows and Mirrors

Postby KimberlyAnn » Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:18 am

How important is it to cover these things while the bird is out?

Emmi flew into the mirror slowly a few times when first learning to fly, but she has not done it since. She knows to turn...same with the windows. Even when startled, she frantically flies all over, but turns away from the mirrors and windows.

I have no problem covering these things, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But is this something I need to still do? I totally will. I'm just weirded out that she's been aware that they are solid objects.

Also, when she lands on something and calls for me to come get her, I just leave her there and tell her she has to get down herself. This makes her very angry and she throws a fit sometimes. I leave the room and call to her until she gets down herself. Is this ok? Or stressful to her? I just want her to know she can do it herself if she runs into trouble. I just don't want her to mistrust me if I don't help. I do give her lots of love once she finally comes...but she acts like she's just seen a scary monster and why didn't I come save her? Lol
My family: "Emmi" Green Cheek Conure (12/15/2012), One husband, two step kids, and one baby boy born in January 2015!
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby cml » Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:42 pm

I have no problem covering these things, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But is this something I need to still do? I totally will. I'm just weirded out that she's been aware that they are solid objects.

Both our birds know what windows are, and know that they are see-through, but not fly through ^^.
Unless you worry, I dont think you need to cover them.
We removed the mirror as it was positioned in a bad place around a turn which sometimes confused them, but the windows arent covered.
Stitch (WFA) and Leroy (BWP)
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby Michael » Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:39 pm

In the beginning you cover stuff so they could learn and with time you ease off the coverings and they are both used to not going there and know windows.

I have flown Kili & Truman in an all glass surrounded conference room no problem. They can learn.
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby KimberlyAnn » Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:53 pm

Ok cool, I think she's got it down. Didn't take long!
My family: "Emmi" Green Cheek Conure (12/15/2012), One husband, two step kids, and one baby boy born in January 2015!
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby marie83 » Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:17 pm

I've only ever covered the windows when Harlie first started coming out her cage because she goes into blind panics, the other birds I just did a walk round with them and showed them the glass was solid by tapping it and letting them touch it with their beaks- no accidents at all. I only did the covering of windows with harlie to start with though, we did have one accident but she has never been near them since even when she does get scared, yet she still goes bashing into her cage bars wildly at times even though she can see them (although that's very rare these days)? Maybe it's the added fear of not being able to get away from danger which adds to whatever scared them in the first place which then sends them into the blind panic?

As strange as it sounds I personally think windows are a pretty low danger to a bird that has been taught about them, there are far more dangerous things in a house.

Mirrors we don't have in the bird areas anyway, just the bedroom and bathroom.
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby Kaiit » Sat Apr 12, 2014 4:27 pm

My bird has never flown into a mirror but he developed a habit of flying into windows for attention! It was my fault entirely, I know - not long after I brought him home, while he was still frightened and I was a novice with parrots, something spooked him and he flew head-long into a window. BOY did he get a lot of fuss! I was so afraid he'd seriously hurt himself, having dealt with a lot of wild birds with head injuries. He was fine, and quickly learnt that whenever he flew into a window, I'd come running! Thankfully, I trained him out of that as quickly as I'd trained him into it :roll:
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby Helga » Tue May 13, 2014 6:37 am

I suppose older birds know that what they see in mirror is only their own picture. About windows, Senegal has never had any trouble with them, she knows what these things are.
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby Harpmaker » Wed May 21, 2014 3:10 pm

When Corsair was learning to fly, she would fly into walls to stop, then fall straight down. I showed her windows and mirrors before she could fly, but didn't cover them, because if she's flying into walls, what good will it do? But she never flew into a window or mirror. :flapping:
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Re: Windows and Mirrors

Postby KimberlyAnn » Fri May 23, 2014 12:51 am

We've had no trouble ever since. I do catch her flying by and looking at herself though. Lol I think it's the movement she sees.
My family: "Emmi" Green Cheek Conure (12/15/2012), One husband, two step kids, and one baby boy born in January 2015!
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