Mirrors & Birds | Should You Show Your Parrot their Reflection? | TheParrotTeacher

[@Stringbean421]

I have my ipad on all day in the background playing parrot sounds, it's doing no harm to her at all. She loves the company of it, then flies off after a while and does her own thing. So many of these 'Do's' and 'Dont's', are so speculative and arguable, that nobody knows the true answers to much of anything. None of us are avian specialists that have carried out conclusive scientific testing. I don't use mirrors though because I have seen my bird argue with herself in front of it but the videos sounds she really loves.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

You aren’t wrong here. Many of the do and don’t videos I do are catch all looking at the majority to help advise people and avoid pitfalls. Every bird is an individual and different so for one bird sounds will have no negative impact but for another it may cause a spike in hormonal behaviour (especially if the video is of the same species) There’s also duration to consider! Our conures like short videos to enjoy but if we left it on it would not work out well. Our cockatiels don’t care. While our crimsons would get very territorial! You’re also right in that there isn’t anywhere near enough scientific testing of parrot behaviour, diet and many other factors. Many conventions and perceptions about parrots are based on one study or a very limited sample size! Me and my partner are working on that where we can and trying to build consensus amongst other trainers and ourselves (how true science is born) but it takes times and is limited by money! BUT when it comes to behaviour there is research to suggest that reflections and sounds can cause issues which is why I highlighted it in the video. Sadly I can’t link the exact study right now, but even then without more replications it’s only a valid as it is on face value and the rest of the evidence is from many individuals finding the same issue!

[@orin9920]

I agree on this. My parrots loves to chill around mirrors and their own reflection but never got hormonal nor got obsessed with them. I totally agree it depends on an individual. Observing how the bird reacts and when seeing it has a negative impact on them they shouldn't be simply exposed to these kinds of stimuli.

[@squaretriangle9208]

Narcissm simply doesn't work with birds but I like to listen and watch birds' videos myself

[@TheParrotTeacher]

I mean some birds do get obsessive over their reflections (not that they see them that way) so technically lol I also like watching bird content :p

[@invadertifxiii]

Thank u I almost bought one for the cage

[@TheParrotTeacher]

No problem!!

[@ginatruiolo]

Really interesting on how you an use a supervised mirror session for desensitizing training.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

It’s something I’ve starting doing more recently! When I was thinking about mirrors I was like, “hang on this could actually be useful!”

[@ginatruiolo]

@@TheParrotTeacher this is really cool new information, thank you David

[@kirstenflood5404]

So grateful for this information. My cockatiel ive had a week has one in her cage. When she wakes up I'll be taking it out. Thank you.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Sounds like a plan to me!

[@dorisbergmann3700]

One of your BeSt❤ If you and Sophie watch,observe Oscar watching your personality and read your body language with Teddy Birds noises❤❤❤ ❤❤❤😊thank you beyond the Universe, We always EnJoY mwah🎉to you and your beautiful Birdy BeArS

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Very kind of you to say! Thanks and glad it was useful!

[@chrisgreen7904]

Great advice I have no mirrors in cage or the room he lives in. Only in my bedroom and he's hardly in there but sometimes sees himself.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Sounds like a good set up!

[@Bandikit]

I always think of mirrors as "birdie screen time." every once in a while is allowed under human supervision, but unlimited access leads to birdy tantrums.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Most things in moderation are fine! For example our conures enjoy watching videos of other conures! Unsupervised or constantly would be an issue but a little is fine!

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

I have noticed that my female budgie gets very excited around mirrors, back in the day when I was younger I had a bunch of toys with mirrors and she got very excited which I now understand was her becoming hormonal/territorial! She sometimes sits and stares at her metal bowls and pecks on it as well. On the other hand my cockatiel is completely uninterested in any sort of mirror lol. I think it depends on the individual parrot but seeing as they can have a negative impact on your bird I personally don't use them 😊

[@TheParrotTeacher]

It is true you’ll see different individuals behave differently around mirrors! As you pointed out some will be indifferent, others will go crazy and many will be somewhere in the middle!

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

@@TheParrotTeacher Indeed! But seeing as there are plenty of other ways to provide enrichment i don't see the point of using mirrors.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

@@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016 me neither, it’s the same with many things in parrot ownership though! It’s like why feed one thing when you can feed lots etc!

[@sammiV55]

I've had a cockateil on his own for years,with a mirror. I've noticed how aggressive he's become towards it and his stress levels really worry me. Should I remove the mirror after so long? Will he get used to not having it? Will he be super lonely when I'm out? I want to do what is best for him so badly, its upsetting for us both. Otherwise, he's a happy fellow x

[@TheParrotTeacher]

He will get used to not having it, BUT it’s best to phase it out slowly and carefully or it’ll make him more stressed out. Also make sure to interact with him loads where possible and maybe use other things to encourage calm when you’re out such as foraging activities or sounds!

[@Ragon121]

Hi!, what is your opinion on what i should do?? I’ve been wanting a pionus maximillian for about a month and had been doing a whole bunch of research. I also would like to mention that I own a male cockatiel and I’m not sure if that would be a good fit because of the size difference and personality and beak size, what are your opinions on this situation? I’m open to hear some feedback and I would really would like to hear from your point of view. I would also like to say that I am in between of deciding if I should get a green cheek conure or a pionus parrot, I love both of those parrots but I’m mostly looking if it’s a right fit for my cockatiel so he won’t be harmed in any way. Thank you in advance for the information you might give 🙏🙏💓!.

[@TheParrotTeacher]

You can get either. But you’d have to be prepared to house, do outings and supervise and train separately. Both species can co exist with a cockatiel with a conure obviously being smaller and better size suited. But there’s lots you’d have to do in either situation.

[@Ragon121]

@@TheParrotTeacher Ahh okay thank you 🙌💗

[@yesidtac7863]

Buen tip😂

[@TheParrotTeacher]

Thank you!

[@Hizozo00]

When we first got our parrot, A ringneck parrot we would show him videos of other parrots on our devices he would kiss the screen and play and talk but after a while he started to get angry and violent really violent he would bite us and charge at us screaming because he doesn’t want to be interrupted, he has bitten me a lot of times it makes me sad, when we use our phone he would immediately follow us and bite our phone, we’ve thought about selling him and we might do it and it makes me sad to think that i will never see him flying all around our house and talk and kiss, i’m gonna miss him :(..

[@TheParrotTeacher]

He’s basically frustrated and hormonal because he wants to interact with the reflection! You could just work on training and building more of a relationship with him! It takes work but it’s worth it!

[@Hizozo00]

@@TheParrotTeacher well he’s gone now :( my father gave it to someone else who can take care of him and there are other birds and parrots there, he’ll probably be happy there, i have built a relationship with him multiple times i get his trust he gets comfortable with me then my 2 brothers ruin it they keep abusing him they keep “playing” with him but they are violent with the bird they punch the bird and grip it and scare it so much and he gets scared and bites anyone, even me he loses the trust and it takes time, but he’s no longer with me, i hope he’s gonna be safe.. 😔 thanks for the help❤️

[@nataliebutler]

People say that canaries aren't social, and shouldn't live together outside of the breeding season. Even that it will stress them out and shorten their life, that a male might harass a female and will definitely fight with another male, so I'm not sure whether to get my canary a friend. He did grow up in an aviary though so I've tried a mirror for him. He likes to sit next to it and twitter at it, although sometime when i go up to his cage he will get defensive with the mirror like he's protecting me! May be does need a girlfriend?

[@TheParrotTeacher]

It’s a tough call with canaries! They are slightly different and you can get some bullying happen. You could consider housing separately but fairly close so they can communicate but even that has the risk of frustration. In this case I’d say use your best judgement!

[@bookkeepingsmes2089]

No agree with all of these, and the research and my experience with it supports it

[@TheParrotTeacher]

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