Why do people tend to dislike birds?

[allpetbirds]

My husband and I are visiting family for Christmas, and we plan to bring along our feathered friends.

However, when we mentioned this to them, they said things like, "Oh no! They're just going to squawk all night and poop everywhere!" Of course, our birds are actually very quiet and potty trained. And I don't know any birds that squawk all night after being covered up...

This isn't the first time someone has said something like this (the pooping comment, especially) when we mention bringing them along.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? And what might be causing this sort of reaction in most people I'm encountering? It's kind of a bummer. I feel bad for our birds... it seems they have to constantly prove themselves to be well behaved rather than the other way around. Innocent until proven guilty, right?

-Michelle

[Mom2Rico]

It comes down to ignorance. People believing what they're told without bothering to learn anything other than their misconceptions.
I'd take them along and show them their wrongs.

[captwest]

Maybe they're just confusing them with their own kids!!!!!!

[TheNzJessie]

Maybe they're just confusing them with their own kids!!!!!!

LOLOL, true


well it wasn't the loud factor that made me afraid of birds (yea i know right) i was petrified of them after my grandads rainbow lorikeet attacked me (i use attacked because i needed stitches)...no joke and go figure, i own one now.

i guess childhood experiences can lead to a hate/fear but instead of saying 'im scared' poeple usally use things like oh they poo everywhere and a are as an excuse instead

[guybo]

It's true birds are loud sometimes. It's a lucky person who has a bird that never squawks. It's also true that a bird will poop in the house (I have yet to hear about anyone who has their parrot poop outdoors) and accidents do happen even for the best potty trained bird. Yes, they flap their wings and fly around. Yes many also tend to nip even if it doesn't hurt.

This is why people have a tendency to not like birds. I have in-laws who really dislike our birds. It's the flapping of the wings that get them and they are just afraid of birds. I don't understand it, but these people are a little particular about things in general. If someone is anal retentive at all they won't be able to stand having birds around. We keep our place clean but already after claeaning up and giving them all food and water and everything Hades already has some pellets on the floor and it's only 8:30!

You need a certain personality and acceptance of a certain level of messiness to have a bird.

[allpetbirds]

Some great points! Thank you all for your insight!

I especially like the one about kids. I'm actually more of a parrot person than a kid person right now, so I had to tell my husband about that one.

I guess I just don't like feeling bad about bringing our family along. Last year, I just couldn't relax because Goffie wasn't with us. And my in-laws have dogs and I'm really allergic, but they're still gonna be there. If I can deal with asthma and itchy eyes, I think they can deal with a little poop and noise.

-Michelle

[Kyle]

Maby they compare them to pigeons that make a huge mess?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Regardless of whether their misconceptions are correct or not (you can try to explain how your own birds behave to address that) it is always tricky asking to bring your pets along to someone else's house. Generally the invitation wasn't extended with this in mind, so you have to really be tactful in broaching the subject.

In this case, you also need to worry if your birds will be safe with their pets and children... you won't have as much control over the environment as you do at home.