IQ of average parrot owner

[rebeccaturpeinen]

I also totally disagreed with Michael on the dog statement. Ofcourse dogs have a lot of personality and every single dog is different. So if you dont know that much about parrots and you ask questions that seem stupid to a person that has owned birds for a while, what about people that dont know much about dogs? (what this statement clearly proves) atleast the person asking is showing some interest in getting information

im sorry, i am new on this forum and i often have the feeling that I shouldnt ask when I have a question cos there is a big enough chance i will be called dumb or yelled at (in one case a person was called "mind numbingly dumb") now i have to be VERY careful what i ask cos my IQ will be questioned......

[Michael]

Come on people, you have to see the context and response of my post. I was specifically talking about the availability of information and the specific knowledge of breeds. I am not trying to start a comparison of parrots to dogs but just saying that it's easier for people to know what they are getting into and what to expect. This really isn't meant to be a debate about parrots vs dogs but I'm just saying that it is easier for people to choose a dog and get info about it.

And let's not go accusing me about being snooty about answering questions. I started my youtube channel, blog, and this very forum to help people get information about parrots and answer questions. I try to write articles so that everyone could benefit from the answer I have to say. However, I really do get tired of getting bombarded with the same uninteresting questions all the time that could have easily been answered by the asker with the slightest bit of effort. I don't mind answering novice questions but I don't like to waste my time answering questions for people who wouldn't make some effort to learn more themselves beyond having me teach them. If someone wants to hear what I say in articles and videos and then has questions, I'm thrilled to answer and help in any way I can.

[Rue]

...just be careful how you answer people. I've worked with brain-injuries (strokes, car accidents, asphyxiation, head injuries, lack of oxygen during a surgery gone bad, gunshot, hit by train, etc.) and with learning disabilities (for example, some people just CAN'T read and write...and it has nothing to do with their overall intelligence).

You can't always tell by looking at a person, OR by the questions they ask how intelligent they are.

I'd rather err on the side of caution.

Not to mention, not everyone uses the internet either. I don't like YouTube...and I certainly won't even try to access it from my dial-up here at home. If I have to watch something, it needs to wait until I have hi-speed access, which varies. So just providing information in one medium doesn't mean people can or will access it - but it doesn't nec. denote lack of intelligence.

Sometimes simple questions are just a door-opener to a good conversation.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Well, one area in which the dog-owner is much better off is that there just plain exists more well-researched information.

Let me just put this out here... there are a lot of threads that tend to degenerate into (or start out as) "stupidest", "dumbest", "worst" and the person who just signed in hoping for help may be too embarrassed or insulted by seeing themselves (perhaps even literally) roasted here that they may be even less likely to seek help than they were before the whole encounter. If we want to be a club or a clique, that's the members' choice -- but if we have a goal of helping to educate people I think it would be in that interest not to alienate them quite so aggressively. MHO.

[Kim S]

Well, one area in which the dog-owner is much better off is that there just plain exists more well-researched information.

Let me just put this out here... there are a lot of threads that tend to degenerate into (or start out as) "stupidest", "dumbest", "worst" and the person who just signed in hoping for help may be too embarrassed or insulted by seeing themselves (perhaps even literally) roasted here that they may be even less likely to seek help than they were before the whole encounter. If we want to be a club or a clique, that's the members' choice -- but if we have a goal of helping to educate people I think it would be in that interest not to alienate them quite so aggressively. MHO.

I couldnt have said it better!!!
And to Michael. I know you love to educate people. It just seems to me you dont have the patience to help people who aren't on a specific level of knowledgde already. No offence.

[Zooey]

Well Kim S, I think that people should at least know their parrots' species. They should know that birds are delicate and they have to be pet gently. It's common sense. Not high-level thinking. Michael is just pointing out that those parrot owners have to put some thought into their bird. The goal is to educate people, but people have to have at least ANY level of thinking above not knowing that yes, you will get bitten if you scare a bird.

[liz]

My computer has been down for a week and I am trying to catch up. Did not read all the posts and hope my input isn't out of line.

Just think how many people walk up and touch babies. I never let anyone touch mine. No telling where their hands had just been. I never touch anyone elses baby. Maybe I touched a bootie.

Michael - www.vistaprint.com has inexpensive business cards. You can ignore their suggestions and put any info on them. I order the cards for the officers is my VFW post. They run about $9 for 250 of them.

[Michael]

I just print some on my inkjet printer. I really don't give out all that many. On occasion if I come across someone who owns parrots that is genuinely interested in training, I'll give them a Parrot Wizard Clicker.

[Shelby]

It really is pathetic when people don't even know what kind of bird they own! Wasn't there a least a sign on its cage at the pet store?! Sheesh.

Also, it just seems like common sense to me that you DON'T TOUCH an animal that isn't yours! You don't know the animal's temperament, you don't know how it will react to being approached by strangers. It could very well get spooked and either try to run away or attack you. I've seen people on Michael's videos ask "does it bite" after they've already started reaching for it. Um... it's a little late by then! I've also seen this happen in person with regards to dogs, cats, horses, emus, etc. In the case of my aunt's aggressive emus, this stupidity can quickly become deadly.

Not to mention it's kind of rude. They don't know this person from Adam, they know nothing about their animal, yet somehow it seems ok to just go up and start petting the animal without even asking permission... If they ask first and show a little courtesy, that's better for everybody.

[Zooey]

I agree with Shelby. You don't start petting a dog without asking. It's even more important with parrots. Even budgies have some powerful beaks. Lemonlime can bite off a finger when she's angry.
I think that those people are not just dumb with parrots. Think about how they go about in lifewithout any common sense or any level of courtesy to any person in the world except for themselves.