Is it true that putting a mirror in my birds cage will make him ignore me for the "friend" the mirror makes?

Question

i was told by a local pet store that putting a mirror in my birds cage will allow my bird "zeak" to bond with the mirror and he will ignore me. this is my first budgie and im not around untill 3PM because of school so he gets lonely, but if this is true i dont want to give him a mirror and i cant afford another bird with how small his cage is and how little money i have. what else can i do to make him happy without having him ignore me?

Answer 1

A mirror can make your bird ignore you or mean. I have heard that and read it in books. I have put a mirror in my parakeet's cage and he bites me then and doesn't chirp as much.

If you are worried about him being lonely. Leave the radio on quietly or the TV. Make sure he has 2 or 3 toys (leave him enough room to move about in his cage). He needs at least 2.

I Leave my bird for a while every day also and he is fine. Birds do take short naps often throughout the day too.

As long as you give him toys and rotate them every now and then there should be no need to change anything. Getting another bird can also make your bird resent and ignore you. Because what your bird sees in a mirror is another bird not his reflection. Just make sure you give him plenty of love when you get home.

This is a great book that can teach you a lot about your first parakeet:

Parakeet: Your Happy Healthy Pet by Julie Rach Mancini

It is $12.99 and you can find it at Borders.

Answer 2

If you can put the cage by a window, so the bird can look outside, this will do a lot to entertain your bird.
A good cheap bird toy is paper. Cut a strip of paper 8 to 12 inches long, fold it in half in the middle, and hang it over a wire in the cage roof. The bird will chew on it and play with it. Then you can replace it when it gets too messed up. You can think of lots of things to do with paper for the bird. Don't use metalic paper.

Answer 3

Bird Cage Mirror

Answer 4

I have heard putting a mirror in the cage will keep birds occupied. Also that if you are trying to teach your bird to talk to it will be alot harder. If anything take the mirror out when your at home.

Answer 5

Your bird is dependent upon you for everything. Therefore, it is very important that you provide all the necessary things that your pet needs for health, vitality and quality of life.

Regularly wash out your birds environment.
Provide clean drinking water every day.

Your bird needs more than just seeds for food. So whilst it is paramount to provide a quality mix of bird food every day, it is essential also each day to vary the diet with a different supplement.
Try these suggestions:-

Salad Cress - Peas - Apple - Celery - Courgette - Sweetcorn - Watercress - Boiled Rice - Parsley Sprig - Grapes - Cucumber - Dandelion Leaves - Broccoli - Board Beans - carrot - Finger of bread soaked in water - Mashed Boiled Egg (shell also) - Tomatoes - Lettuce - Cooked Pasta - Radishes (leaves also) -

Millet Spray is an especially loved treat for birds, but it is important not to give this too often as they will refuse to eat their regular seed in favour of it!

It is best not to give Cabbage as this can cause digestive problems.

Other important requirements for your birds health are Cuttlefish Bone, Grit, and Iodine Block. These are necessary for your pets bones and digestive system.

Your bird will occasionally enjoy a dish of tepid water to splash in.

Keep your pet away from draughts and direct sunlight. House plants, chemical cleaners, polish, & hair sprays, etc are highly toxic and dangerous to your bird.

A bird in a cage on its own will need your companionship for the large part of the day, unless you provide many distractions such as toys, mirrors, swings , lots perches and possibly a background sound like a radio. Birds are naturally inquisitive and playful animals and will become listless, distressed, destructive and possibly aggressive if bored and frustrated with their existence.

Your pets wings may have been clipped so flight will be restricted though not prevented and so doors, windows and other potential hazards should be taken into account before letting your bird out of its cage. Allow your pet out of its cage regularly as this exercise will keep them interested in their environment and alert. (Have your birds wings clipped approximately every three months).

To gain a subdued bird let it accompany you in your daily routine. Perching on your shoulder or head your pet will enjoy the variety of the surroundings as you move about freely. You will be able with patience and determination train your bird to talk and perform tricks.

To train your pet to talk you will need to provide close and regular contact, repeating the same phrase consistently. Your bird will be unlikely to talk if it has the companionship of another bird, or if it has too many toys, especially a mirror! However, as mentioned before these accessories are essential to a bird that will be left on its own over long periods of time.

Birds can be taught to mimic tricks you teach by the action of a finger. Reward positive behavior with a tasty treat..

With a healthy lifestyle in which you take good care of your pet, play with it and make its life interesting, your bird will likely live a long and happy life.

Answer 6

Yes, I made the mistake of giving my 'teil a mirror when I got her and now, 7 years later she obsesses with it and will attack me for getting near it. Another bird as a friend would be a better option for a lonely bird.

Answer 7

i have a mirror in my buddgies' cage ^_^ they look into it becaue he/she thinks it's another bird. maybe you're parakeet's lonely =( but i heard its nice for them...its fun for them to stare at another bird. lol but yes that's only if its a smaller mirror. if its a big one like in the hall they wont recognize the mirror and fly right into it which is dangerous. same with windows. and they'll also play with the mirror (if its hanging in the cage) its not bad!!! they're just playing!! i have two budgies and the yellow one loves to stare at himself and play with the mirror. its fineee

Answer 8

Bird Mirror

Answer 9

Many do, but if you cant spend a lot of time with the bird, it needs something.

Answer 10

well ive never herd that it will ignore you. I now if the mirror is in the cage it wont talk but never herd that it ignore you as a friend