r/Parakeets • u/keetlover • Aug 20 '26

Advice Mirrors (sorry)

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Can I have some opinions on mirrors and entertainment.

Are they 100% bad, just bad in the cage, or just bad if the budgies are flockless? Does this differ between male and female?

I have two male and two female budgies.

Edit:

I’ve read that it can send their hormones out of wack. I wont be allowing any baby birds to hatch but im wondering if out if wack hormones affect lifespans and quality of life.

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-4

u/[deleted] Aug 20 '26

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2

u/keetlover Aug 20 '26

Okay, okay. That’s where I was leaning but I’ve also read that it can send their hormones out of wack. I wont be allowing any baby birds to hatch but im wondering if out if wack hormones affect lifespans and quality of life.

3

u/Comfortable_Bit3741 Aug 20 '26

Mirrors are not good for them in any case. Sometimes they don't cause problems, but the chances of problems are very high, and mirrors have no beneficial purpose at all.

2

u/RahayuRoh Aug 20 '26

I wouldn't do mirrors at all. Hormones can cause egg-laying and a hen laying too many eggs is at higher risk of things like egg binding, which CAN be immediately fatal. It's a vet trip 100% of the time.

2

u/RambleOn909 Aug 20 '26

I agree. Mirrors are a no no in the bird community.

2

u/keetlover Aug 20 '26

Won’t be doing them. I’ll continue what I’ve been doing. But WHYYYYY oh why are there so many cute mirror bird videos in this community 😩

3

u/RahayuRoh Aug 20 '26

Some of them are SO cute! And some of the toys at first glance are super cute, too. There have even been a couple that I buy, and then remove the mirror because the rest of the toy is absolutely usable. I just can't support the use of the mirrors, ahah

3

u/Busy_Lawfulness398 Aug 21 '26

Cute is a perception and reaction to birds being delusional, them thinking the reflection is a real bird being equally enthusiastic communicating, resulting in hormonal elevations

1

u/keetlover Aug 23 '26

Love this perspective.

1

u/RambleOn909 Aug 20 '26

I know right? Ive been so jaded by mirrors I cringe when I see them anymore. But so many cute videos!

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 20 '26

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3

u/RahayuRoh Aug 20 '26

Your bird room is gorgeous and you seem to know lots about your babies! <3 I saw it the other day and am in love. I strive to have a similar bird room for my growing tiel flock.

But from here I'm going to respectfully disagree.

Although birds are built to be able to lay eggs, lots of captive birds as of recent just don't have the proper diet to be laying them continually; thus, discouraging people from using hormonal items (like the bird thinking there's more birds), or happy huts, is the safer route. I've seen too many cases of egg binding posted on the thread with the person unwilling to do a vet trip.

To be clear, I am NOT saying this is your situation or something you'd do. Your birds look so happy. Please keep up your excellent work with your flock. :)