The best part about being the owner of a pet parrot is the experience of attachment. Once you trust each other and care for one another, feelings will evolve. It is therefore likely that you are curious about the dynamics of relationships between parrots and humans.
Parrots can become attached to their owners because they are very intelligent birds, that live a long time, are affectionate and can talk. They establish relationships on a higher level, treating you as a member of their flock. Parrots show their affection by rubbing against each other, grooming each other’s feet, seeking attention, and getting excited when you enter the room.
Your parrot may develop a contact call just for you. It is capable of distinguishing between humans, which could lead your parrot to only attach to you. Some parrots are one-person birds. There are several ways to strengthen this bond.
How do parrots bond?
Parrots bond with humans by displaying certain personality traits, including:
- Affectionate behavior, like cuddling.
- Loyalty
- Obedience
- Protective behavior
- Seeking attention
- Grooming habits, like preening humans.
- Discomfort when their favorite person is not around.
These traits are normally absent in creatures that cannot form strong bonds. For example, snakes do not show affectionate behavior or separation anxiety. Some animals do not recognize their owner, but only their scent.
In contrast, animals known for developing strong bonds always exhibit these behaviors. This includes cats, dogs, and parrots. However, not all parrots bond immediately with their owners.
It takes time, attention, and care to establish this bond. Once the relationship is established, it typically lasts a lifetime.
Can parrots bond with people better than cats and dogs?
Some owners believe that parrots form stronger bonds with humans than dogs or cats. It has been noted that parrot owners consider their relationship to be “superior to that of cats and dogs.”
Of course, the depth of a bond entirely depends on the time and effort invested in that relationship. The bond with your parrot may be more significant for these reasons:
- Life span. Some species of parrots can live up to 80 years, allowing a lifetime to develop bonds.
- Ability to communicate. Parrots can mimic human language, which helps humans feel a more profound intellectual connection. This also allows parrots to communicate how their needs should be met.
- Intelligence. Parrots solve complex problems and are aware of their environment. This challenges humans to think and challenges parrots to challenge ours.
Another study revealed that parrots were mentioned in the obituaries of their owners.
Can parrots recognize their owners?
There is no formal scientific study proving that parrots can recognize their owners. However, studies have hypothesized that birds can recognize humans.
This study revealed that mockingbirds could distinguish one person from another. A nest was disturbed for 4 consecutive days by the same person. The birds increased their aggression towards this person over the days.
A second person approached the nest and threatened it in the same way. The response decreased significantly. The researchers concluded that the birds could distinguish one person from another quickly. Birds only needed 2 to 30 seconds with someone to recognize that individual in the future.
It is reasonable to assume that parrots also possess this trait. They exhibit a higher degree of intelligence than mockingbirds in several key areas. Parrot owners often find that their birds are wary of people they do not know.
How long do parrots remember their owners?
Beyond recognition, there is evidence that proves that parrots have long-term memory. According to studies, birds can remember things for up to 3 years. Researchers determined this by studying the calls of a family of crows.
The calls of the crows were very different, depending on whether they knew the crow on the other end or not. Even though the birds had not seen each other for more than 3 years, the calls were still memorized, recalled, and used.
Can parrots miss their owners?
There is no scientific evidence that parrots can miss their owners. However, we can look to anecdotal evidence from the owners themselves. Many owners claim that their parrots:
- know when they have left the room or the house;
- Can distinguish when they left from when other household members left;
- Show depressive, sad, or destructive behavior when left alone for several days.
Parrots are intelligent animals. Although they are not humans, they feel emotions. They can feel sadness and happiness. Judging by testimonies, parrots miss their owners.
Do male parrots prefer female owners?
Some owners believe that their parrots prefer one sex over the other.
However, there is no scientific evidence that parrots can determine a person’s sex. What we know is that birds are capable of recognizing people and forming long-term memories about them.
If you notice that your parrot prefers men over women or women over men, it may be because your parrot recognizes certain common characteristics of one sex. For example, if your parrot avoids women, it may have had a bad experience with a previous owner with long hair.
Similarly, the sex of the parrot does not enter into the equation. There is no scientific evidence that male parrots prefer female owners. Parrots do not detect, evaluate, or care about the reproductive aspects of humans. There is no reason for male parrots to prefer female owners or female parrots to prefer male owners.
If your parrot seems to show a preference for a man or woman, it is an acquired behavior. For example, a male parrot may have spent more time with female owners, pet shop employees, or breeders.
Since this is an acquired behavior, it can be forgotten and unlearned through training and socialization.
How do parrots show their affection?
Parrots can form strong bonds with their owners in a way that resembles love. However, parrots show their love differently from other pets. Here are some signs of attachment:
Cuddling
Parrots are prey animals that defend their personal space and vulnerable areas of their bodies.
When a parrot chooses to snuggle against you or other birds, it shows a great deal of trust. A prey animal’s trust is not given lightly and should be considered as evidence of sincere affection.
Additionally, parrots cuddle to warm up. Cuddling allows parrots to share their body heat with other parrots in their flock. If they are willing to share their warmth with you, they trust you in their personal space.
A well-domesticated parrot will understand that cuddling earns it the nice touches of a loved one. You can pet, tap, or cuddle your parrot if it snuggles against you. To receive this affection, the parrot will snuggle against you.
Sleeping with you
Sleeping is a vulnerable state for parrots as they must remain alert to anything that might harm them.
Some parrots sleep with their eyes open. For this reason, you should feel grateful if your parrot sleeps near you. It is a sign of affection among birds, and your parrot considers you one of its own.
You are large and, for all intents and purposes, a predator. However, the parrot overcomes generations of prey behavior ingrained in its brain to rest on you.
Approaching you
A non-bonded parrot may tolerate the presence of a new owner. It may eventually resist and move away from you if you try to pet it. However, a bonded parrot will actively seek the company of its owner.
If your parrot approaches you on its own, it is a sign of trust. This is even more true if you are not offering it food, treats, or petting. The parrot’s desire to be in your presence means it:
- trusts you;
- Considers you a source of comfort and safety;
- Wants to grab your attention.
You may notice that the parrot greets you when you come home. If it is left out of its cage, the parrot may fly to land on you when you open the door.
Kisses
Parrots do not have lips, but they give kisses. This is done in the following ways:
- By pressing their beak against your face;
- They nip by pressing their beak against your skin;
- They stick out their tongue to lick you.
A non-trained parrot will never exhibit these behaviors. A trained parrot may also refuse to kiss other people, even if it is friendly with them.
This type of affectionate display is rather reserved for the people they feel closely bonded to. Why do parrots kiss? This behavior is not entirely understood, but there are theories, such as:
- Trying to groom you;
- Seeking your attention;
- Mimicking human behavior.
Parrots are aware of dangers that threaten their face, and their eyes, throat, and beak will be within reach.
The Contact Call
The contact call consists of a bird making a quick call to locate members of its family. According to some studies, birds can have dialects present in their contact calls.
This means you are part of its “family.” Your parrot will develop a contact call just for you. This is not to ask for food, attention, or treats. Instead, your parrot will use it only to ask:
- Where are you?
- Are you safe?
- Are you coming back?
If your parrot doesn’t see you or hasn’t heard from you, it will keep calling. The call will also be louder, just as humans shout louder when they are not heard.
If you notice your parrot doing this, respond by calling back or putting yourself in its line of sight. Better yet, give a tap on your bird’s head to show that you appreciate it making sure you are well.
Nibbles
Not all bites are indicative of aggression. While parrots bite to keep predators away or show their fear, they also bite as a sign of affection. This will be more common in affectionate parrots.
Your parrot will gently nibble your cheek, neck, or arm.
Jealous Nibbles
Bites can also be triggered by jealousy. In this case, the parrot will lightly bite you when you show affection to other animals, birds, or humans. These jealousy bites are a sign that your bird loves you very much.
However, this is not always the healthiest behavior. Like in all relationships, you need to set boundaries. If your parrot bites you when you are interacting with other people or pets, you should do the following:
- Tap its beak;
- Firmly tell them “no”;
- If the parrot continues to bite, place it in its cage for a moment as if to punish and temporarily exclude it.
Training and conditioning can help your parrot understand that this behavior is undesirable.
5 Ways to Bond with Your Parrot
Incorporate these steps every time you interact with the parrot:
# – Stay Calm
Parrots are generally on alert and react strongly to loud or surprising noises.
Approach your parrot quietly. Avoid yelling or speaking loudly, especially if it is perched on your shoulder. This calm and controlled behavior will allow the parrot to relax more easily.
#2 – Patience
Some parrots bond more slowly than others. When you spend time with your parrot, be patient as the bonding process may take several months. Don’t try to force your parrot to love you.
#3 – Move Slowly
Parrots can be frightened by quick movements. Avoid rushing towards your parrot or making sudden gestures. Parrots prefer slow, deliberate movements that allow them to assess who you are.
#4 – Know Their Preferences
Each parrot has its likes and dislikes. Even if one parrot loves a toy or cuddling, another may prefer a different toy and love its personal space.
By observing your parrot and seeing what it enjoys, you can tailor your interactions to it. This will make it feel more comfortable, and it will be more inclined to bond with you.
#5 – Socialize It
Your parrot may be easily frightened, but that does not mean it should always stay in its cage. Taking your parrot out of its cage is a wonderful socialization experience.
An easy way to socialize is to take the parrot to other parts of the house. Show it to close friends and family members or watch television together. If your parrot shows signs of distress, return it to its cage for a break.
In conclusion, parrots can form strong bonds with their owners. With time and attention, you could make your parrot your lifelong friend.
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