Birds of a feather flock together5/30/2023 Stories can be viewed on the web at /news/pet-talk. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. “Luckily, our birds will often see people and other pets, such as dogs and cats, as part of their flock, so having other animals in the home and lots of activities for them to do (such as enrichment, toys, foraging for food, etc.) will help keep them busy when alone,” said Hoppes.Īlthough our feathered friends may seem very different from the furry pets most people are accustomed to, the relationships they form with their owners are strong and rewarding bonds that last a lifetime. If only one bird is adopted, being alone all day in a cage may become stressful. They may also become protective of their cage or become defensive if they feel threatened, also leading to biting.įlock-oriented birds have evolved to live with other members of their species and form social relationships with their fellow feathered friends. “In some cases, an unhealthy relationship with the owner can lead to health issues such as cloacal prolapse (a protrusion of the reproductive tract) and hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency) from laying too many eggs,” she said.Īnother potential issue that may arise from the bond between bird and owner is that they may become protective of and bite individuals who get too close to their imprinted human. “But in some cases, birds may see their owner as a mate this stimulates abnormal reproductive behavior affecting nesting, chronic egg-laying, and territorial behaviors. This can lead to a very close bonding relationship that is fun and entertaining in our homes,” Hoppes said. “Birds see their owners as part of the flock. Using flocks of birds as a model, they have shown that birds of a feather will indeed flock together to maximise the information they have access to and to give them the most future. However, Hoppes says that pet birds hand-raised by humans will often become imprinted on their owner and behave differently. Since most birds are prey animals, they tend to be more alert and nervous around new people and elements in their environment. Sharman Hoppes, a professor emerita affiliated with the Schubot Center. Raptors, like hawks and owls, are not as social or flock oriented,” added Dr. “Parrots, chickens, canaries, and pigeons are all very flock oriented. Debra Turner, aviary manager of the Schubot Center for Avian Health at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that different species of birds exhibit different social behaviors.
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