Why are some of us good "bird people"?

[lwis]

I think empathy and understanding have a lot (if not everything) to do with why some people connect or do not connect with birds. If you can put yourself in their metaphorical shoes, or as close to what you think being in those shoes may feel like and treat them how you would wish to be treated in their situation, it is much easier to connect with a parrot. This goes for all creatures I think, including/especially people and other animals with a higher intelligence level. Birds are very empathic and can pick up on what you are feeling, so if they feel that you are feeling for them, it would make sense that they would be more at ease with you.
I believe respect plays a big part as well, just as it does with people. I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who didn't respect me.
Having very little or no expectations helps too. I see many people who, when they see a parrot, the first things they say are: 'does it talk?' or 'does it do tricks?' or 'can I pet it?' They immediately lose interest or get offended when the bird doesn't do what they expected them to do, or worse yet, the person tries to force the bird to do something when the bird does not want to or is not ready to.

I think if you combine all of these things, it would be pretty easy to get along with most birds. That is not to say that getting along with a parrot will not take time and patience. Conversely, if you lack empathy, understanding and respect, then good luck with getting along with any bird...or person, for that matter.

[gabbagabbawill]

I think empathy and understanding have a lot (if not everything) to do with why some people connect or do not connect with birds. If you can put yourself in their metaphorical shoes, or as close to what you think being in those shoes may feel like and treat them how you would wish to be treated in their situation, it is much easier to connect with a parrot. This goes for all creatures I think, including/especially people and other animals with a higher intelligence level. Birds are very empathic and can pick up on what you are feeling, so if they feel that you are feeling for them, it would make sense that they would be more at ease with you.
I believe respect plays a big part as well, just as it does with people. I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who didn't respect me.
Having very little or no expectations helps too. I see many people who, when they see a parrot, the first things they say are: 'does it talk?' or 'does it do tricks?' or 'can I pet it?' They immediately lose interest or get offended when the bird doesn't do what they expected them to do, or worse yet, the person tries to force the bird to do something when the bird does not want to or is not ready to.

I think if you combine all of these things, it would be pretty easy to get along with most birds. That is not to say that getting along with a parrot will not take time and patience. Conversely, if you lack empathy, understanding and respect, then good luck with getting along with any bird...or person, for that matter.

It's interesting that you say this, as since I have studied positive reinforcement for bird training, I have found other ways to apply positive reinforcement in my life, to people and other animals. It's definitely changed my perspective on things for the better!

[Maria]

As far as my view on this, I just feel that it is very possible that unless a parrot bonds with a person, the person may never truly understand how truly loving, playful, sensitive, delicate, and intricate they are.

But also, something has to interest them in birds/parrots, in order for them to want to take the time and interaction with them to learn these things about them, etc., in the first place.

I would also think they would need to like/love animals.

They are not totally fear based. But the way you’re handling them is also correct as well as good for a lot of reasons as well:
With birds I instinctively do whatever alleviates their fears.
I talk before entering his room and move slowly.
I say, "Step Up" a few seconds before moving my hand towards the bird.
I put a new toy in his view several feet away and him approach it when ready.
When I'm in another room I'll hum so the bird knows I'm okay and nearby.

Their senses are very keen and sharp. This is part of their protective measures God gave them. (Hearing, and the sense to be able to detect just about the slightest movement). (among other senses.) And the fact that you take the above measures, only serves to help the bird learn to trust you, that you’re gentle, that you’re not going to hurt them. This, in turn, is part of what grows their bonding with you. This is the way birds should be handled (your above list), but it is not necessarily only because of the fact that they can also be stressed and frightened easily. There are many reasons.

[Maria]

I have grown up with cats and dogs and have always been more of a fish person, scuba diving since I was 16 and currently with very large elaborate reef aquarium.

Though I had never before had much interest in other birds, I have always wanted a companion parrot. Getting Jello has completely changed the world around me. I now have a new found appreciation for all birds, and I find myself watching, listening and attempting to identify the ones around my house. I've gotten a bird feeder outside so more wild birds visit. I'm watching nature shows about birds and find myself in awe of them. I guess I wasn't really a "bird person" until Jello opened my eyes to it. I'll never see the world the same way again, and I can thank him for that.

I got bird feeders and bird houses for outside and hanged them from a large tree in the front of our apartment building as well. This is because I've grown to love birds so much, just as alot of the feelings you say above. And so because the bird houses help give them protection, and to help feed them, as it's more difficult for them to find food in winter - as there's a shortage of food for them in winter. I study the nature and behavior and care of birds and parrots. My neighbor is also a lover of birds, we share that, she has put a bird bath outside, as well as bird feeders. The birds learn to trust you and learn to know that you're taking care of them. I have a picture of a bird letting her get very close to him on the bird bath; I blew it up to an 8 by 10, framed it and gave it to her as a surprise gift; she looooved it. . The birds are adorable. The bird feeders and stuff bring all beautiful different colors and kinds of birds. I've even seen a very little black and white bird, he is so cute, he keeps coming to the bird feeder. I can't wait to get some pictures of these birds on the feeder, all grouped together standing on the feeder, but when I go to the window to watch them, sometimes they fly away before I can get the picture snapped {giggle}.

[Shelby]

Do you ever wonder why you love and connect with birds, while others don't?
What do YOU feel explains why some people are good bird people?
On the other hand, what is it about some people that makes them NOT compatible with parrots?

I think people love birds for many reasons. My grandpa has always had bird feeders outside the huge living room window because he loves to watch them interact and the noises they make are like music to his ears. He loves to wear felt cowboy hats and one of his favorite past-times is to put some seed on the brim of his hat and sit very still on the porch and let the birds eat on his hat.

I love birds because they are so beautiful, intelligent, entertaining, and it tickles my heart to have a sweet little parrot perched on my hand or shoulder. I don't mind the feathers everywhere, the random poop-bombs, and the noises (within reason, of course. I don't like hanging out in the bird section of the pet store because it is deafeningly LOUD, but I think budgie noises and cockatiel whistles are so charming.)

Some people, like my dad, don't like birds because all they can see are the downsides (mess, noise, the time you need to invest training, etc) and they don't understand the potential parrots have to become friends and companions. And frankly, a lot of training goes into shaping a well-behaved and loveable pet, no matter what species!

Some people are not compatible with parrots because they're not compatible with people! Think about those aggravating people you meet at the pet store who want a bird because it matches their new drapes or what-have-you. Those people are usually opinionated, disrespectful, uneducated (at least about parrots), irresponsible, and quite often downright unfriendly. If humans don't enjoy being around those kinds of people, parrots (which on average have the intelligence of a 3-year-old human child) certainly won't either.

[kombaten]

I am not sure what makes a good bird owner my mom tells me that I remind her of my granddad which where a white dove owner of over a hundred.
I cannot leave the room without the birds making some form of noise and I am always with my birds, right now it is 01:44 and my is sitting next to me while the is sleeping.
my Macaw always comes to me when I try and play a video game but it always ends up with me spending time petting and palying with him.

[Saerphe]

I think some people also are naturally better at communicating with birds. I'm pretty calm and composed most of the time, and I tend to tilt my head to the side a little when I look at them and stand with my hands down at my sides, move slowly, speak softly in a high pitched voice. I try to emulate the behaviours that'll tell them I'm friendly.

I think it also comes down to education as well. Like someone said earlier, most people don't really understand how parrots work. You can't really MAKE them do anything they don't want to. They aren't dogs, bred to please. They don't have the same social hierarchy as dogs do, which means you can't train them with the exact same methods. Trying to do so is just gonna set you up for failure.

All the parrots at the pet store near my school seem to like me, and I only see them a couple times a week. They lunge at and bite all the employees except the manager (who has a great understanding of birds) whom they see every day. The difference between 'bird people' and 'non-bird people' is pretty evident.

[DustyTheGrey]

I think what makes a good "parrot person" is the time we take to educate ourselves about parrots.

Dogs have been bred to have relationships with humans, its in their genes to want to be with us and any person can tell how a dog is feeling or in what mood it is in.

But a parrot is a wild un-domesticated animal, I tell people you need to LEARN its body language, without picking up a book or looking on the internet, it would take some time to learn parrot behaviour and body language.

After doing tonnes of research about things that normal people would not read, such as aggression, body language,nutrition, the importance of sunlight, etc,
a parrot person will change themselves to accommodate this beautiful creature in their homes.

A parrot person has their eyes constantly open to the environment that they and their bird is in.
A parrot person is watching for open windows, grand (and scary) hand gestures, frightening objects, possible situations that might disturb or scare the bird. The rest of the "normal" people seem blind in comparison.

We fuss... reading pellets labels, comparing perch sizes, spend hours looking at toys.

We understand parrot life in the jungle better than anyone we know, we answer parrot questions by starting off with: "Well, in the wild....."

Our homes become a sort of rain forest, we decide the weather using the steam from our showers, we create rain for baths, we are the ants that carry away the mess, we search for their foraging obstacles, we build the trees out of pvc and we are their mates for life.

And we do all this, knowing that we will have to do it all again tomorrow.

[Rokisha]

No animal, no matter what species, is a product or made to be so. This is my personaly opinion and no dog i have ever had has ever not been able to think for themselves. Parrots are intelligent yes but so are dogs, cats, ect. To many people out there treat animals, especially dogs and cats, like they are mere products that can actually be replaced. They forget these creatures have intelligence, a soul, personality, emotions, ect. This tends to lead to all sorts of animal abuse from what I have seen and it irks me to see any living being treated in such a manner.

[Michael]

They forget these creatures have intelligence, a soul, personality, emotions, ect. This tends to lead to all sorts of animal abuse from what I have seen and it irks me to see any living being treated in such a manner.

First of all, there is no credible evidence that any animals have a soul or emotions. Intelligence is relative. And personality is what distinguishes them from other individuals of their species.

Regardless if an animal has or doesn't have these things, there is no reason to abuse it though. Even "dumb" pets like fish, snakes, etc require proper care.