IQ of average parrot owner

[Cage Cleaner]

Gh

[CrazzMc]

Micheal I think you have to understand that the people who never get to see birds, who are never exposed to them really do show interest to a bird that is so well tame and caring towards you. Honestly, the first time I saw a parrot with a harness I was honestly like wth? It just seemed so weird, now I understand after stalking your blog and your forum.

Ya, it really helps and I wouldn't have the knowledge that I do but you have to understand (even though its repetitive) not everyone is as lucky as you are. Not everyone can afford a bird or parents just say no. And if they don't have the chance to get a bird they don't have the chance to know about it because their interest is lost until exposed. I was in their shoes once. My dad is allergic to fur. Couldn't get a pet for a long time. Then we started off with budgies and now a cockatiel and are doing fine.

And to help you with your IQ thing. I went to the pet store and I couldn't see because I left my glasses broke at the time. All the pets were away in cages behind a 3 inch thick at least 20 foot high glass Door. I saw the cockatiel that I wanted, I looked at it (it was at least 15 ft away) and I couldn't tell if it was a white face or a cinnamon. I asked one of the guys who worked their and he said I'm pretty sure that's a $150 dollar parrot that has a yellow face and a grey body. I said thanks and just left. A person who works their doesn't know the breeds. That is stupidity.

[theparrotletdude]

I'm still amazed that they just walked up and starting touching the birds without asking.

I never do this unless I know the owner and know the bird and have handled the bird before and know that the owner doesn't mind.

But to strangers and animals I don't know (this equally goes for dogs), always ALWAYS ask first.
I know I would have been pretty pissed if someone did it to me.

If someone tried to touch my parrots without asking, I would probably be more ticked off than my parrotlets.

[Cage Cleaner]

Ok

[dorp]

It's funny to have a pet that bites other people and leaves scars imo.

[nagelsan]

I take my birds for a walk quit often and usually their are a lot of people coming up to me.
When they try to pet them, without asking, i give them a warning to keep their hands to theirselfs.
It makes me really mad, cause if they will bite, i am to blame and not they.
I know my cockatoo wants to be petted and really doesnt mind, but they will have to sak me forst.
When they do, i explane how to and to take it slow, and ofcourse one of a time.
They will try it then on my terms, and thats fine.
I always look at the bird or other animals reaction before touching it and ofcourse with permission of its owner.

They ask me a lot of questions, like can they talk and how much do they cost.
I dont like those questions, but it depemts on who is asking and how.
Some are really interested and ask me more, about how much time they will need and more about taking care of them.
Those questions i dont mind to answer, because it makes them aware of the fact a parrot isnt a cat or something.
But sometimes i just walk on, tired of those stupid questions.
But it wont stop me from taking them outside tho.

[Shelby]

They ask me a lot of questions, like can they talk and how much do they cost.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think parrot owners should answer the "cost" questions with the bird's purchase price. You should also include the monthly upkeep and time you need to spend with them. After all, time is valuable too. I think doing this would help discourage people who aren't serious about keeping birds the right way.

For example, if I was walking around with a harnessed cockatiel at the park and a dad came over with a little kid and wanted to know how much my cute little bird cost, he might think that because it only cost $90 it would be a great pet for the kid (especially compared to a $500 puppy). But if I said, "It costs me $30 a month, and at least 2-3 hours a day. Oh, and by the way I bought it for $90." a non-committal pet owner would probably lose interest and some poor pet store bird might be spared from living a terrible life. (By the way, those numbers are just ballpark figures. I don't have a bird so I have no clue what the exact costs are, but I'm guessing how much it would cost to feed and provide toys for a cockatiel for a month. And pet stores/breeders around here sell standard grey cockatiels for $60-120.)

[Polarn]

about the cost for food and toys etc can have a huge span depending on how much you make yourself, well the foodcost would be about the same each month. But as for toys I try to keep my lil buddy occupied with atleast 1 new (durable?) toy each week(some toys are reused as well or bits and peices changed and parts of it reused etc). with a durable toy i mean not papercups on a string or icecream sticks etc, thouse are harvested within a day and good fun as well. but say a regular ropeladder here is about 30 pounds in a petstore here, if your willing to make it yourself you shave off 29 but have to spend the time instead. personally I couldnt even afford spending 30-50 pounds a week as a student on just the toys, but I do study efficiently and I have plenty of time on my hands... and alot of the toymaking is time spent with the bird as well.

[kombaten]

I am more or less afraid of birds I don't know maybe because of Archie bitting me, many times when I started training him.
I am probably one of the stupid parrot owners that is one of the reason I came here to the forums.

[Michael]

Can't be all that dumb if you want to learn!