by KC Cameron » Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:42 pm
marie83 -
"I also dont believe in the term dominance - not in parrots at any rate"
Well, all I can say is belief is belief. Dominance exists in most, if not all higher life forms. Domanance and dominating are two different things. In EVERY relationship, one is dominant. Sometimes it changes back and forth, but one is always dominant. With humans it can be one who has political or legal authority, it can be intelligence or brute strength, height or size. It can be perceived knowledge, accolades, it can be sexual (male vs female), relationship position (parent vs child) and on and on. It can be forced, or accepted. It can be kind or cruel.
I would also like to clarify there is a world of difference between "dominance" and the old-school idea of training through "domineering" (or bullying). While I believe strongly in positive reinforcement, distraction, and avoidance - sometime a well thought out "negative" (in the absence of anger) is very helpful. We should use all the tools we have in a loving manner.
As for my action not being kind . . . the parrot is not being hurt in any way. She is not scared. If she was, she would bite or try to flee and never trust me. She obviously does trust me and is not scared of me. (see avatar photo) I am speaking her language.
Parrots bite each other for a variety of reasons - one is for dominance. My GW is not cowered. My fingers are in her mouth many times every day. She could take a chunk out of me anytime. She doesn't, partly because she knows I won't hurt her. She is not scared of me, and she knows I'm dominant in our relationship. She will sometimes nip a little harder than usual when she sees a hawk or is nervous about something. It is how parrots communicate. Otherwise, when she nips a little harder than unusual, she is just pushing the boundaries, like a child with her parents. My "bite" not only reminds her of her place, and I believe, in the end, it comforts her like disciplining a child who pushes her boundaries - they know someone else can handle things so they can relax.
Anyone who has had chickens, or a bird feeder next to their window sees birds showing dominance every day. If two birds fight or "squirmish" as they do regularly at my feeder, that is dominance. Those that wait until another bird leaves are accepting (for the moment) dominance.
The last time my GW bit me with more than a little force has been probably 11 years, and she is handled a lot every day. She has bitten my wife a couple times, once broke the skin a little. I believe that was hormonal. Can you say that with your GCC or Cockatiel??
In this reply, I am showing dominance (from experience) to you in this matter. Should you rebut me, you would be challenging my dominance in this matter.
I believe you should re-think your belief that there is no dominance in parrots. Maybe watch a few documentaries with this in mind. It is everywhere.
I JUST NOTICED ON A WEANING THREAD YOU SAID THIS
"... and they should be with their clutch mates, playing, learning to sort disputes or form heirachies..."
. . . so it appears that at one time you DID believe in dominance in parrots and hopefully this is just semantics.
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Wayne361 -
Weird, sure. It is not natural action for (most) humans! When interacting with my parrot I need to understand her communication, not expect her to understand mine. The fact she does not bite me says a lot doesn't it??
On the flip side, if she bit me, can you blame me for biting back?? ( Just speaking the same language!) *G* Of course my relationship to Jax, my GW, is different than her relationship with me.