Most people who own birds try to understand their bird's behavior using what they know about other animals they are familiar with: dogs and cats. This is not as helpful as it may seem because birds are very different animals from dogs or cats in many ways.
For example, although birds are social like dogs and live in groups, their social structure does not rely on one dominant "Alpha" dog. Therefore, if an owner tries to use principles involving an "Alpha" type of role, this concept is meaningless to your bird and often damages their trust in you. Likewise, birds are much more social animals than cats are, and require much more social interaction.
Here are a few common misconceptions:
- Behavior changes overnight.
- Getting bit is part of being a bird owner.
- You have to show the bird “who is boss”.
- Birds only like one person.
Here are a few facts that will help you understand your pet bird:
- Chewing is a natural and healthy thing for your bird. In rain forests and jungles, they would spend most of the day foraging.
- Some vocalizing around dawn and dusk is normal for birds; these are times when they would be communicating with the flock in the wild.
- Birds are messy. Part of the role they play in the rainforest is to drop fruit seeds to the forest floor, thus replanting the rainforest. Unfortunately, this behavior doesn't change in the home.
- Birds are naturally social creatures, and are capable of developing relationships with many flock members. Because of this drive for social interaction, your bird is also capable of bonding with many members of the family.