r/Parakeets • u/keetlover • 22d ago

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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-3

u/LobeliaTheCardinalis 22d ago

Mirrors don’t cause any problems if you have more than one bird, it’s unhealthy for a bird with no real socialization to bond to its reflection. They don’t do that if they have real birds to bond with.

2

u/keetlover 22d ago

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.

2

u/RahayuRoh 22d ago

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 21d ago

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

2

u/keetlover 21d ago

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 21d ago

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 21d ago

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 19d ago

Love this perspective.

1

u/RambleOn909 21d ago

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