Mirrors make parakeets sad and ill

After all, giving them a mirror’s pretty much the worst thing you can do to your feathered friends.

Why? Like most animals, parakeets aren’t aware that they’re looking at themselves in the mirror. They think there’s another bird there and focus on their supposed «partner» because the latter always «chirps back» so nicely when they flirt with them. Unfortunately, the liaison never goes any further – and the parakeet in front of the mirror gets lovesick. Precisely because the object of their desire never makes advances of its own accord or even wants to cuddle.

In love and incredibly sad

In cockatiel forums, users even report male birds ignoring their real mate because they’re in love with their reflection. This is obviously sad and stressful for both animals.

I know from my own experience how quickly cockatiels can fall in love with their reflection. My first cockatiel, Iko, didn’t have a mirror in his cage, but every now and then I’d pick him up in my hand and hold him in front of the hallway mirror. Within seconds, the chorus started: Iko sang lovingly to his reflection and danced from one foot to the other. It was cute to watch for me as a child, but I probably wasn’t doing him any favours.

We also have a few pet tools with mirrors in the shop. I’m deliberately not showing them to you because there are better alternatives. I’ve outlined how you can design a retreat for your feathered friend in an animal-friendly way here:

What you can do

To prevent behavioural problems, you shouldn’t offer your feathered friends a mirror in the first place and at least keep the little guys in pairs. And if it’s already too late, get rid of the mirror! Even if the animal’s initially upset. It should get better over time.

And if that doesn’t help, get the lovesick bird a feathered friend that looks like them. Maybe you’ll be lucky and they’ll think their reflection has come to life. Then there’ll even be a happy ending.