This is an encouraging video. We're barely three months into our new relationship with our Sun conure. We rehomed her from a neighbor and we love her. But man, has it been hard! Our bird and I had a hard start due to really hard bites on the first day. Like, blood drawing hard. I was scared and it took a lot of effort to be willing to risk a bite again. She took to my hubby instantly, so I put in the effort. Now I'm her favorite, largely because I spend the most time with her during the day. But that has resulted in new challenges. She wants attention all the time and working from home, I can't always give it to her. Her screaming interrupts my phone calls and my focus. Despite having toys, she'd much rather chew my notes, keyboard, phone case, pencils...There are just some days its a real struggle to not scream back in her face. I already have depression and bipolar, and she can definitely aggravate things. It's not easy. But when she's being cuddly, it makes the effort feel worth it.
Such an important topic to discuss. I have days where my mental health is well below zero and the addition of the birds care sometimes send me into a downward spiral. Its so important to take care yourself so that you can be at your best for your flock. and most of the time after they made me have a good cry from the stress or just being naughty I go and let them out and we snuggle. parrot ownership is HARD but the love you get is worth the hardships.
Very good video. Important topic. I’m neurodivergent and sometimes taking care of my parrot is quite challenging sometimes. But like everything, you learn to manage with proper coping strategies. For example when hes playful and is screaming (not like constant screams, but like playful screaming) in a way that bothers me a bit or when Im having a bad day, using noise callecing headphones help a lot. It reduces my stress and still allows me to interact with him. If Im having a really bad day maybe I remove myself a little from the room to manage my stress, or maybe I put one of his fav movies on the tv and he usually pays lots of attention to the movie so he usually reduces the scream level and engage with a quiet foraging toy. Also, when Im in burnout and more sensitive to noises, the noisy toys are only avaliable when I leave the house, when Im ok with my sensory problems and in the outdoors cage. Specially since he has now avian ganglioneuritis diagnosed and stress can trigger a relapse, its better for both of us to be as stress free as possible cause after all owner’s stress affects the animal too
Super important video! I completely agree that it's a topic not many people touch on, good on you for doing it. We need to normalise having setbacks and being upset at that BUT also make sure we know we can work through it 🦜
Such an encouraging video, it's good to have a dialog about how our feathered friends can really be challenging to our mental health sometimes.
Also, how lovely to see Lady Pickles (I think!) hanging out with the cockatiels!
Definitely, its something we need to be open to discussing!
This is an encouraging video. We're barely three months into our new relationship with our Sun conure. We rehomed her from a neighbor and we love her.
But man, has it been hard! Our bird and I had a hard start due to really hard bites on the first day. Like, blood drawing hard. I was scared and it took a lot of effort to be willing to risk a bite again.
She took to my hubby instantly, so I put in the effort. Now I'm her favorite, largely because I spend the most time with her during the day.
But that has resulted in new challenges. She wants attention all the time and working from home, I can't always give it to her. Her screaming interrupts my phone calls and my focus. Despite having toys, she'd much rather chew my notes, keyboard, phone case, pencils...There are just some days its a real struggle to not scream back in her face.
I already have depression and bipolar, and she can definitely aggravate things. It's not easy. But when she's being cuddly, it makes the effort feel worth it.
It can be tough for sure sometimes!
But we can work through problems just like we do with people and adapt / move forward!
Thank you, it’s good to know your not alone
My pleasure!
Such an important topic to discuss. I have days where my mental health is well below zero and the addition of the birds care sometimes send me into a downward spiral. Its so important to take care yourself so that you can be at your best for your flock. and most of the time after they made me have a good cry from the stress or just being naughty I go and let them out and we snuggle. parrot ownership is HARD but the love you get is worth the hardships.
Totally true! Being aware of how tough it can be and allowing it can make the good times make up for it!
Very good video. Important topic. I’m neurodivergent and sometimes taking care of my parrot is quite challenging sometimes. But like everything, you learn to manage with proper coping strategies. For example when hes playful and is screaming (not like constant screams, but like playful screaming) in a way that bothers me a bit or when Im having a bad day, using noise callecing headphones help a lot. It reduces my stress and still allows me to interact with him. If Im having a really bad day maybe I remove myself a little from the room to manage my stress, or maybe I put one of his fav movies on the tv and he usually pays lots of attention to the movie so he usually reduces the scream level and engage with a quiet foraging toy. Also, when Im in burnout and more sensitive to noises, the noisy toys are only avaliable when I leave the house, when Im ok with my sensory problems and in the outdoors cage. Specially since he has now avian ganglioneuritis diagnosed and stress can trigger a relapse, its better for both of us to be as stress free as possible cause after all owner’s stress affects the animal too
It can be a balancing act but it is one we are all capable of with sensitivity!
Thank you for this. Definitely stressful work sometimes in this human/parrot relationship and I really appreciate you acknowledging this.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I absolutely love the Pokémon cards you have of your birds in the background, where did you get them made? Much love!
Pokepetstore but not sure if they are still in business
Jejejee muy cierto
Thank you!
Super important video! I completely agree that it's a topic not many people touch on, good on you for doing it. We need to normalise having setbacks and being upset at that BUT also make sure we know we can work through it 🦜
Totally true! People often get blasted for admitting setbacks or mistakes! But its normal and ok!