Rant

[Pajarita]

Actually, Wolf, although we normally use the word 'gonads' to refer to male testes, it actually means both sexual organs, male and female. From the dictionary:

Gonad: reproductive organ: an organ that produces reproductive cells gametes, e.g. a testis or an ovary

But your explanation was correct.

[Michael]

To make things worse some people think it's cute to beat off their parrot.

[Pajarita]

Indeed they do! I have a male YNA whose owner admitted to "taking my fist to him!" when he bit. Needless to say, it took me months to get this bird to stop attacking me every time I put my hands anywhere near him!

[Wolf]

Thank you for the correction, I didn't look it up and just went with common useage.
as to Michael's statement, I think he was referring to masterbating the bird as opposed to hitting it, however both are sick and unacceptable, in any case.

[DustyTheGrey]

Sorry I know this thread is serious but after Michael mentioned masturbating parrots I just had to post this video.

I know one should never encourage hormonal behaviour in pets but this is a wild kakapo parrot and it just humps this guys head and its hilarious!
The poor guy looks to be in some pain and I can imagine from those claws!

[DustyTheGrey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1vfsHYiKY

oh darn it how do I post youtube videos.... oh well have a look at the link

[Pajarita]

LOL- I saw the program when it first aired and it is hilarious!

But I don't agree with preventing birds from masturbating. Birds are not like people, they don't choose when to have sex. The season comes (long days, rich food, good weather) and they start producing sexual hormones. This creates a mild state of arousal which is then intensified by the presence of another bird they find attractive, its song, its dance, its plumage, its ability to build a good nest or provide food or whatever the breeding behaviors and cues of that particular species are. But, in captivity and with long days and rich food every single day of their lives, their sexual hormones continue to flow, their sexual organs become overly enlarged and the poor animal is in a chronic state of high arousal and how is the poor animal supposed to relieve it if not allowed to masturbate? Where's the harm in it? We might not like the idea of a bird masturbating on our hand or in front of us but this is just because of the social taboo we were taught this action represents because, in reality, there is nothing inherently 'wrong' with it. With the exception of the quaker, none of my birds masturbate and the quaker only does it during breeding season and then, maybe twice during the seasons - well, at least, that's the number of times I see her doing it and it only lasts a few seconds. She has a boyfriend (she has switched BFs lately, she now hangs out with Nando Jenday now that he is a full adult) but, as far as I can tell, it's a platonic relationship so I don't blame her, stop her or even say anything about it, I just keep on doing my stuff as if nothing was happening.

[JaydeParrot]

I agree with pajarita's 'rant', . I know a family who have had a for years, it's plucked itself near naked, gets angry if human hands attempt to go near it, and is fed a terrible diet made up of seeds, low grade pellets and dinner table scraps. I have tried to nicely explain to them that the parrot is self-mutilating and that they shouldn't just ignore it and make jokes to help ignore the situation, e.g.- He's plucked himself ready for the oven! Deep fried birdy!

They just say I worry too much and that the bird is fine, if either of my Senegals were in that condition I would be beyond concerned.

They sometimes let it out but it's in a small room anyway, it's cage seems smaller than my two sennie's cage.

I am not a close friend of the family and know if that I complain too much they'll just tell me not to come back, It's beyond frustrating seeing a big bird be kept in a small cage, poor diet, little socialization and tugging out it's own feathers due to it's own misery.

[Pajarita]

Yes, for animal lovers, it's torture to see or know of an animal which is suffering for no other good reason than its humans just don't care enough!

[Wolf]

I am sorry that this is occurring and wish that I knew what to say that would help, but I really don't. I do know that if I were sure that I would be successful in getting the bird removed to a better place I would gladly sacrifice the humans as friends to solve this birds problem. That is just me, and I don't have any idea as to how you can help this poor bird, just don't give up... for the birds benefit.