Seriously Idiotic Parrot Owners

[TheNzJessie]

i know right!!! see the guy in the background of the african grey one hes laughing his head off!

[Michael]

Here's a complete idiot feeding their parakeet to the cat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4o77Rpum7M

Now before I get flamed, we supervised this very carefully! These two are almost never together and when they are, they are supervised. Ken has basically control of the cat at all times.

So they know it's wrong, they know that it is dangerous and that they should get flamed for doing this, but yet somehow they think it's funny to video their parakeet inches away from instant death. Someone who thinks they can "control" their animal at all times is purely an idiot. And to think that they could stop their cat from killing the bird is asinine. One quick move from the parakeet could trigger a reflexive attack response in the cat and if not the puncture, then the saliva would kill it within a few agonizing hours.

[lzver]

i have some more to add for drinking parrots. i promise you these will make you sick with worry.

These are the type of people that will wonder why their bird died when they find them in the bottom of their cage. Clueless!

[MandyG]

One quick move from the parakeet could trigger a reflexive attack response in the cat and if not the puncture, then the saliva would kill it within a few agonizing hours.

At one point the cat had its paw raised like it was getting ready to swat the bird.

I really don't understand the point. What benefit was there for the animals? The bird was in danger and the cat was obviously annoyed. I understand how people can have parrots and other animals co-existing in the same house and even the same room. But forcing them to interact like that? Having the cat's prey rubbing up against it reminds me of those cat toys that you dangle in front of the cat to initiate chasing play.

[TheNzJessie]

that video its just...yuck... brings back to many memories when people used to come into the pet store. my cat attacked my budgie can you save it! i ask well what were they doing together, common responses were. oh i left the door open and they got along yesterday!!!!

[alight15]

sigh..after seeing the videos of people actually feeding alcohol to pets does letting a parakeet stand on that glass seem just as bad?

What I was trying to point out is being loose with where his birds go is not a bad thing neither is letting it near the glass of liquid,only the liquid being alcohol is not wise(though not necessarily dangerous):

Being a "parent" to a bird (I'll admit is better) means giving it attention and playing with,taking care of it, and treating it like a kid and having them dependent on you(like deciding for them what they eat and not eat,bathing,attention, etc) and its just a great relationship. They become curious and look to you to learn what they should do and not do(if they're not sure and curiosity hasn't overwhelmed them).This way brings out their personality and playfulness and makes them happy while you're there and involves a deep bond. Basically you and what's yours are their entire life,and they would not be sure if they can survive without you.

But treating a bird like a friend, is also a great relationship,and you decide what they eat but involves less control over said bird(more like "not overly controlling"). You still take care of them,and see what they like to eat and do,but let them go where they want and have fun anyway they want as long as its not hurting anyone...(more than a mild fall or bump) and letting them fly to you when they want to, letting them try stuff you're eating if they seem interested(as long as it's not hazardous).You also can spend time with them and hold them and be in 2 different worlds both human/bird(watching tv/adventuring,or eating/eating,or talking to/ignoring and preening)

What I mean is birds dont treat other birds like babies::(While I cant say I agree with the humanized captions; the sparrow had a reason to stick around either way) and letting his parakeet on to a glass of beer when it wants to; like in that video, lets them be...free,and while the parakeet was close to alcohol he has no intention of drinking or getting too close to something that carbonated but wanted to see and hear the foam,and even if it was overpowering to inhale it wasnt a "bad" experience like flying into a wall or a hot pan.He's expected to be curious what it is his human'buddy' usually has with him(and seems to play with),and I think in most cases it's better to let them see the object ,instead of "Forbidding it"(unless it's a food the pet bird wants to eat,for example: I dont let him near my chocolate's foil wrappers no matter what,but I let him play with wooden Popsicle sticks and spoons if he wants)

Most people like the idea of,and have for the longest time, treated their pet birds as other than their children(and taken them for hunting; let them, I guess, fly to and from of their castle windows)and treated them as 'companions'; which Is how I treat my parakeet.
While he still pecks(more like 'snaps' the air) at me and doesnt always seem interested in me; or bothers my mom and sister by flying to their parakeets to play with them, interrupting what they're already doing. He lets me take him away from places he wants to be and likes to run all over me and climb to where he wants to go,jumping on my face,playing with my fingers as if they were separate entities from what he was standing on and flying/hovering over my food,wanting me to share it. Trying to sneak away when I say 'stay' and looking at me with every step and gesturing towards where it wants to go as if asking "can i move now?".(especially when I'm trying to fix something he knocked off his perch and tell him to stay on the other side so he doesnt nip or climb on my hands ,trying to get to his toy, before I can even secure it it back on).

So it was a action like many others which are beneficial to their mental health(while, this one, was also slightly dangerous to physical).

Also...what a terrible way to abuse the trust your bird has for you by giving it alcohol

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Y'know, I think I have to say this just once then I will subside back into the swamp... I find this thread really mean-spirited. It's also giving that much more exposure to folks whose methods you don't approve of.

I'd far rather see a thread on "Seriously Intelligent and Caring Parrot Owners".

Soapbox off.

[skeetersunconure]

i was reading some comments and someone said event hough you hate to think about it your parrots probably descended from some type of bad environment i was just thinking i got skeeter at this store where they bought the birds from a breeder and are reselling them again and i think its a family hobbby anyway one lady smokes and has this wild look in her eyes

[Michael]

Y'know, I think I have to say this just once then I will subside back into the swamp... I find this thread really mean-spirited. It's also giving that much more exposure to folks whose methods you don't approve of.

I can understand this, but by analyzing what other people did wrong, hopefully we can prevent other people from doing it again by demonstrated social disapproval of those things. We're not criticizing people for not being perfect or making a mistake. This is about people who are so blatantly negligent or cruel that it puts their bird's life in jeopardy (whether they realize it or not). I think this thread is helpful because it definitely demonstrates a lot of things not to do.

I'd far rather see a thread on "Seriously Intelligent and Caring Parrot Owners".

I have no objection and would love to see a thread like this. You have enough videos/examples in mind to merit getting such a topic started? I think it's far more difficult to demonstrate intelligent/caring ownership in a two minute video clip than it is too play out life threatening "idiocracy".

If you have more than a minor/sarcastic disapproval of this topic, let me know personally.

[TheNzJessie]

alight15 your completely missing the point. so if your budgie took a sip you would scream and shoo him off going BAD BIRD BAD BIRD! no you wouldn't the point is the opportunity is there.