MarcusCAG Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Hello everyone... Just a quick question, since I Googled this yesterday when I had a few minutes and got a number of conflicting results, and then when I did a Search here in the forums I didn't find anything directly relating to this concept... So I'm just wondering: If avian eyes can even perceive the images on a computer screen (laptop) as distinctions and not just flashing lights, would it be all right to expose parrots to it for an extended length of time, as long as sufficient space is between the bird and the screen? In other words, on a whim I put in a SpongeBob DVD into my laptop in the boys' room yesterday--I've never really tried to expose them to TV before--and both Marcus [CAG] and Beaker [Quaker parrot] seemed absolutely mesmerized by it. When the door was closed they were chatting up a storm, and when it wasn't and/or I was in the room with them they were just staring. But then I had the thought and went online to check this idea of mine out, and I got a bunch of different results in my Google search. Yes, parrots can perceive the images that are on the screen, and No they can't because of differences in the way they sense light and color (compared to humans). Yes it's safe for them to watch a computer screen as long as it's not two inches away from their faces and No, the lights are harmful and induce seizures. So... I don't know. I thought I'd throw this out to everyone here in hopes of a more educated and definite reply. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbpittman Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I"m not an expert on this subject and to be honest never gave it any thought. I have 32" lcd in my office where most of my fids live and I turn it on to ETV in the mornings while they eat breakfast and I'm getting ready for my day. When I'm in my office it's usually on something, although it's not necessarily something I'm watching, it makes noise just like they do...lol. Dixie has picked up quite a few "noises" from the noise box, but I don't think they watch it. Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I'm not sure, but I know my 3 parrots watch the tv and computer screen . They do have their favorite shows! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezron Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 My grey and quaker do not show the slightest interest if the television is on. Maybe I watch the wrong shows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 None of my parrots care about TV or even my computer...... well, Ana Grey loves to eat the keys if I let her!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) Lets say that your bird does like it ( especially on a shoulder, lap or knee, wrist or arm). It doesn't matter whether it's a cartoon character or anything else. From a long distance, a bird won't pay attention to the visual but might be interested in the audio. Then, if your bird is close by ( near or on your shoulder. lap or knee, wrist or arm)and all of a sudden something scary comes on,( not scary to you but to the bird) a bird will react badly. Maybe an eagle or a hawk on a nature show on a PC or TV screen. The bird may fly away, flapping wings, showing nervousness, being a little leery of you, even possibly hurting itself Definitely, a bird won't come back to the PC screen again because they have the ability to remember. This definitely happens to birds who are exposed to the outdoors when looking out a window that they're close to. This may also happen to a bird when a dog or cat wanders by near a window. So, lets fast forward--it hasn't happened yet but what if it does. What are ya gonna do? So, is it is really necessary or normal to put a parrot near something that may have a bad reaction by the bird? Think about what you're doing. Your grey is a wild bird who is also a prey bird and you can't predict what will happen in the future. Is it natural to do that to a parrot? I think not. Parrots can't be trained to not be afraid of things. Edited January 22, 2011 by Dave007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezron Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Talon, Does Nilah sing? She sure is beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammco Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 If the computer or screen hurts ur birds eyes, they simply wont look at it! If something hurt your eyes would would you stare at it?????.....PROB NOT!!! Just my common sense little redneck 2-cents! HA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbpittman Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Dave's right - if they do watch it they can very easily identify what is on there, I think. My dog doesn't care about what's on tv 99.999% of the time, however if there is a dog on - he's literally watching, paws on the furniture, trying to get closer, etc. I keep the bamboo shades in my office closed. I can see out somewhat, and there's some light peeking through, but I know Dixie has been scared off her swing from the movement of "something" out the window. I never thought about something on the tv frightening them. I personally don't think they watch what's on in my office - like I said earlier, it's mostly for noise. Dixie has picked up some of the stuff from Sesame Street - she does count with Count, but only to 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Watching tv\pc screens is fine. My grey and conure both enjoy watching videos of other parrots and movies as well. They will intently watch other birds and movies or TV shows they will watch on and off. The only thing that has ever sent them startled was an unexpected explosion or gun fire when I have my surround sound blasting away during a good movie. Overtime, they have become used to that as well. Their vision is such that, they can see the screens actualy better than we can and can focus in on minute detail from a distance that we cannot. Both the birds will not only watch, but many times join in with the fun of singing and whistling along or laughing at the shows or birdie videos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 None of my birds seem to care what is on the tv or computer screen but they do pay attention to what they hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusCAG Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 Thank you so much for all of the input, everyone, I really appreciate all of your different perspectives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Issac used to chase the mouse pointer around the screen when he was younger. Now he just sits on top and poops off the edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessdecutie18 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Yoshi is usually pretty interested in my computer screen and the noises coming from it. She likes to edge down my arm and beak the screen or the mouse, probably wondering what I'm doing with it. After a minute she realizes it's not a fun bird toy and climbs back on my shoulder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambert58 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Both my greys watch the Sprout channel. They LOVE cartoons. They are definitely "watching" vs. just listening. If I have a pic of a grey, or I'm watching a youtube video of someone else's grey, they are totally focused and try to "beak" the other bird. They definitely see the image. Leo's favorite is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnnOx178Z64 He could watch it for hours. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawnee Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 ^ I love that video! I know they are wild but.........Everytime I see it I get a mental image of all of them looking at me and saying "Do!" to demend a neck scratch...all at once. Cosmo loves TV. I have a 32" lcd on the wall in my office(his room) that I leave on disney channel during the day while I'm at work. He has favorite shows(Handy Manny, Mickey mouse clubhouse) and gets upset if I change the channel while one of them is on(on my days off). He doesnt bother with the computer screens too much, but has chased the mouse pointer around on occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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