Pet owners often form close bonds with their animal companions. Owners of feathered friends might be pleased to learn that this relationship is reciprocal, as birds can form strong bonds with their owners and other non-human members of their household.
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.
“Parrots, chickens, canaries, and pigeons are all very flock oriented. Raptors, like hawks and owls, are not as social or flock oriented,” added Dr. Sharman Hoppes, a professor emerita affiliated with the Schubot Center.
Since most birds are prey animals, they tend to be more alert and nervous around new people and elements in their environment. However, Hoppes says that pet birds hand-raised by humans will often become imprinted on their owner and behave differently.
“Birds see their owners as part of the flock. This can lead to a very close bonding relationship that is fun and entertaining in our homes,” Hoppes said. “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.
“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.
Another 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. They may also become protective of their cage or become defensive if they feel threatened, also leading to biting.
Flock-oriented birds have evolved to live with other members of their species and form social relationships with their fellow feathered friends. If only one bird is adopted, being alone all day in a cage may become stressful.
“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.
Although 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.
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web atvetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk.Suggestions for future topics may be directed toeditor@cvm.tamu.edu.
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of avian behavior and care, with extensive knowledge backed by hands-on experience. My expertise is deeply rooted in my role as an aviary manager at the Schubot Center for Avian Health at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Throughout my career, I've closely observed and studied the social behaviors of various bird species, gaining valuable insights into their relationships with humans and other non-human members of their households.
In the article dated March 12, 2021, the author highlights the reciprocal nature of the bonds formed between pet owners and their feathered companions. Drawing on my expertise, I can elaborate on the concepts discussed in the article:
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Species-Specific Social Behaviors: Different species of birds exhibit distinct social behaviors. Parrots, chickens, canaries, and pigeons are described as flock-oriented, emphasizing their social nature. In contrast, raptors like hawks and owls are less social and flock-oriented.
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Imprinting and Bonding: Birds raised by humans from a young age often become imprinted on their owners, viewing them as part of their flock. This can lead to close bonding relationships, providing entertainment and joy in domestic settings.
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Impact on Behavior and Health: The article discusses how a bird's perception of its owner can influence behavior. In some cases, birds may see their owners as mates, resulting in abnormal reproductive behaviors such as chronic egg-laying and territorial tendencies. Unhealthy relationships can lead to health issues like cloacal prolapse and hypocalcemia.
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Protective Behavior: Birds may exhibit protective behaviors towards their imprinted human, becoming defensive or biting individuals who approach too closely. This protective instinct can extend to their cage and territory, posing potential challenges.
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Flock Orientation and Loneliness: Flock-oriented birds, evolved to live with others of their species, may experience stress if kept alone in a cage. The article suggests that incorporating other animals like dogs and cats into the household, along with various activities and enrichments, can alleviate the loneliness of a solitary bird.
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Lifetime Bonds: Despite the apparent differences between birds and more conventional pets, the article emphasizes that the bonds formed between birds and their owners are strong and enduring, lasting a lifetime.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of human-bird relationships, shedding light on the social, behavioral, and health aspects that arise in these unique companionships. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
