Parrots + Fireworks = ???

Many creatures are afraid of loud noises like fireworks (including young children). Parrots are no different.

In the wild, parrots are prey, and by instinct are highly sensitive to things that seem like they could be dangerous. Obviously, the sudden loud noises with bright flashes of fireworks would certainly fall into that category.

However, parrots normally like loud noises. Anyone who has ever spent time with a pet parrot will know that the parrots make their own loud noises--some capable of ear-splitting decibels! And parrot behaviorists constantly warn people that yelling at parrots to stop screaming will often create the opposite results, as parrots consider the screaming to be a "fun game." So, it's not the noise, itself, that is the problem--it's the unknown and unexplained without any prior warning for the fireworks noise.

Therefore, with a little help, parrots can learn that the fireworks aren't dangerous. Once they learn that, it turns out that they actually like the flashes and booms.

The way we discovered this was quite by accident. We didn't know our local community fireworks were going to happen one night when we were out walking with Bobo, our Grey. Suddenly, we heard a low boom and then saw a fireworks display starting in the distance. We began to hustle home because we thought Bobo would be terrified. But as we were heading homeward, Bobo kept turning to watch the lights. Since we were a good distance from the fireworks site, it wasn't very intimidating to her--and she was fascinated. We found a high ground and stopped and let her watch. We were amazed at how well she liked it.

We then introduced the conures to fireworks--with the same results. We moved closer each year, and this year was the first time we were right there, on-site, at the event.

As you can see in this video, our guys were not only calm...they made happy noises as they watched!

So...for Zorro, Grasshopper, and Bobo, the answer to the equation is...

Parrots + Fireworks = Fun!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• birds
• fireworks
• show
• 4th
• fourth
• of
• july
• new
• year's
• eve
• parrots
• congo
• african
• grey
• nanday
• jenday
• conure
• fun
• funny
• independence
• day
• fire
• work
• display
• zorro
• grasshopper
• bobo

[AnneTheWriter]

Now the question is... When they got home, did they try to imitate any of the noises from the fireworks show (rockets whistling into the air, etc.)? The booms would be hard to mimic, but the whistling ones or the screechers might happen. Loved how the fireworks sometimes seemed to come out of the bird, like a halo. Cool shots!

[rita191919]

How cute is that!! Fireworks through a parrots eye!!

I couldn't figure out why my girls kept flying off their playstand the other night....then I saw out the window they could see fireworks in the distance. So....they definately would not appreciate the show like Zorro, Grasshopper, and Bobo did!!