What it’s Really Like Living with a Bird

Fawkes is a hit everywhere I go, both in the real world and in the virtual world. But, this is but a snapshot of what it’s really like living with a bird.

Birds Are Not Like Cats or Dogs.

One common misconception is that having a pet bird is like having a cat or a dog. Cats and dogs are domesticated and have been for several generations back. However, birds are often only one or two generations removed from their wild ancestors. When you are bringing a bird into your home, you are essentially bringing a wild animal into your home.

This does not mean that birds do not or cannot get along with humans. But, we do have to change our expectations a bit.

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Birds Retain All the Instincts and Behaviors of Their Wild Ancestors.

Birds retain all the instincts and behaviors of their wild ancestors. They are flock animals (some species more than others), so they will want to be with their flock all the time. In the case of a bird living with a human, this means that they want their human all the time. There is no such thing as privacy. Fawkes follows me into the bathroom. He sits on top of the shower curtain rod when I take a shower, and he gets upset with me when I leave the apartment.

This is because they are prey animals, and there is safety in numbers. When I leave, he doesn’t know if I am coming back or if I’m safe.

Conclusion.

Living with a bird is very rewarding, but it’s also very challenging. There is a lot of give and take, and sometimes even arguing (Fawkes definitely talks and can be very opinionated).