Life Lessons from Birds

[Liz Hiles]

I know that these groups aren't really about this topic, but as bird lovers, I thought we all could appreciate this brief article. ~Liz

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Learn From the Birds

Wednesday April 22, 2009

Categories: Happiness, Joy, Lifestyles, Spirituality, Weight Loss

Listen to the birds chirping. See them flying. In the day, they're out in the air and sunshine. At night, they perch on a limb. They gather food when they're hungry. They eat what they like; as much as feels right. They spend most of the day flying around. They find mates. They raise their young. They do their thing.

You don't see fat birds, do you? Birds don't eat too much. They use their bodies and move. They're not worried about themselves, or ill at ease and in need of comfort. They don't need to eat and eat and eat to feel good. They are totally themselves, and don't care one way or the other. They just are. And they are fine.

[Ginger]

I appreciate you're thoughtfulness in posting this little essay but I found a glaring error within it an for the sake of all captive held birds, everyone needs to know  that birds DO feel lonliness, sadness and depression.  If their mate dies the one remaining mourns... Often they die.  I have been caring for abandoned - given up - rescued birds since 1991 and because God has given me a gift of understanding the psyche of these much misunderstood children of Earth, it gives me great pleasure to pull back a life headed for the Rainbow Bridge, to aid in the restoration of hope and the joy of living to each beakface I manage to save and restore to a meaningful life...   We who possess birds must realize that just because they are so different from dogs & cats, does NOT mean they are not equally as intelligent as they are, (actually they are MORE intelligent)... But we must learn their ways, we must adapt to them... To learn to read their body language and provide for their emotional needs as much (if not more) than their physical ones. Ginger   -------Original Message-------

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[Liz Hiles]

Thanks for your thoughts, Ginger, but I didn't by any means, say it was a flawless article. I believe ALL animals (birds or otherwise) feel those things. The thing that really made me post the article was the comparison with the eating habits of humans versus birds. It was not one I have necessarily thought of before and I found it intriguing...I have seen overweight horses, cats, dogs, gerbils, etc....but in all my years, I really don't think I've ever seen an overweight bird. And as I've been battling weight issues all of my life, it hit home with me, so I thought I would share it. I did not intend to offend or upset. ~Liz
"Everyone needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal & cheer & give strength to the body & soul alike." ~John Muir

"Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it." ~Tallulah Bankhead

“I always have to break a song over my back. … I just can’t sing a song; it has to be part of my marrow and bones and everything.” ~Libby Holman, Hughes HS Class of 1920

[Ginger]

Hey Liz I'm not upset or offended!  Did you author the post?  I have been in bird rescue 19 years; I have seen All kinds of bird behaviors and like I said in my reply to that post - that I had an issue with the part about how birds do suffer depression, sadness, loneliness or lethargy, the writer of the article was wrong there.  But its not a big thing; its just obvious that the writer did not personally see or understand that kind of behavior in a bird.  I missed the part about weight, I don't recall that being mentioned.   I have to share with you however that I once adopted a female orange wing amazon who had come out of a Hispanic family, she did not speak English; but there was one word in her vocabulary that was easily translated. The word was kookay... Cookie.  Lola was so fat she waddled because her family always gave her cookies when she asked for them and birds learn quick how to get treats out of people, lol lollol...  Her vet actually suggested liposuction!!!!!!!  That bird truly loved food!!!   Anyway, I felt I had to share my findings about bird feelings.  About the weight issue, I don't remember reading anything about that in the article.  But I can tell you that a bird that is bored will eat and eat and eat until they do become very overweight, and the more overweight they get, the less they move and the less they move the more bored they become and so they eat more.  The same goes for a great many people who are overweight.  I can talk because I too am overweight.  I can tell you that I will eat just for the sake of having something to chew on; and gum doesn't cut it.  I have to have flavor and crunch too... And sugar, LOTS of sugar.  Of course that is the last thing a diabetic should eat...  Or potato chips, icecream... All the things I really love.. And eat anyway... So I pay extra for my disobedience...  I do understand.

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[Liz Hiles]

Ginger, I am glad that you are not upset or offended. I try to be cautious because you can't always tell when you're online...and sometimes, I do have the tendency to pass on interesting articles without completely thinking the results through.
I personally, have see UNDER weight birds (due to stress), but not overweight. Of course, I am a fairly novice bird-person.  And after rereading the article again, it very well cold be that the author was referring to WILD birds, not domesticated/pet birds.
As for the eating (on the human side) I can relate to that...although I've been much better since getting through the grieving process from Dad's passing and staying active at home and getting out of the house a bit more to do things. I do still have splurges here and there, but I am no longer OVER eating...and that's a start in the right direction for me.  (BTW: sorry I've not responded sooner...busy week...and I might be getting busier and having less internet access...I found out yesterday that my job is being discontinued for the time being due to lack of funding! So I'll be job hunting like crazy) ~L!

"Everyone needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal & cheer & give strength to the body & soul alike." ~John Muir

"Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it." ~Tallulah Bankhead

“I always have to break a song over my back. … I just can’t sing a song; it has to be part of my marrow and bones and everything.” ~Libby Holman, Hughes HS Class of 1920

[Ginger]

Oh Liz.... I'm so sorry about your job!  I pray God helps you get a perfect situation that you will be happy with - that will provide you with enough earnings too!   About me, I pretty much can tell when I'm being offended or just people being honest...  I've been online since 1990 and pretty much get the "feel" for people...  I try real hard to smooth over rough spots but as you know, some people just want to fight and there is no way to stop them except by banning or blocking them.  I know what I know, and if that upsets people, it upsets them.   I just shake the dust &move on...  Life is too short and I have more than enough to handle right here with my pets.    I know what its like to "BINGE" on food...  I am living with diabetes... Some days I get so hungry I could eat a brick, lol lol!  I am particularly fond of "Moose Tracks" icecream....  And cereal with unrefined sugar on it... Yum!!!!!!!!!!!! But of course I don't eat it very often... I try to take care of me...   Yes I've seen quite a few underweight birds in the wild...  I have to assume its parasites and in some cases - a shortage of food... Or chronic disease... Who knows?  You have to take lifestyle into consideration; free birds are much more active than pet birds, plus they must constantly be on guard for predators...    Its always good to pass on articles about birds, PROVIDED that we include the author's name.... That way if someone disagrees with the article they have someone besides us to find fault with.   I'm sure that you are aware that nobody knows it all!!!   I've found that Carolynn sweisgood is quite good for information about amazons, but there are other birds that her general knowledge is ok but specifically she sometimes misses the mark... Its no big deal... Nobody knows it all.   Besides birds have a tendency to "do their own thing" anyway.... There no absolutes.... Except that they all have feathers, lol lol

-------Original Message-------   From: Liz Hiles Date: 4/29/2009 12:32:33 PM To: parrot...@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Life Lessons from Birds

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[Liz Hiles]

Thanks Ginger. I am working on the job situation. As I'm sure you know, now not's the best time, so I'm just making the best out of things. I have already accepted that I will probably need 2 jobs.But I'm young and single, so that's ok with me.
I understand about getting the feel of people, their words and intentions online and that sometimes you just have to block/ban people. I try to avoid doing that, but sometimes some people are just too much and life really is too short to get all worked up over trivial things.
I can also relate to taking care of yourself, but still treating every once in awhile. My dad was diabetic, but still on his birthday, I treated him to a Coca Cola with his dinner and for the celebratory dessert: Coca Cola Chocolate Fudge Cake with Coca Cola Chocolate Icing. It was his favorite treat and he only got it once a year, and I made sure to give him extra insulin on those days (which was also ok by his Dr.). Lately, I've been eating as cheaply as possible, but still trying to eat well.  Not always easy...but that's where I'm at right now.
And, yes, I know that no one person can know everything about any one topic. And I DO try to be sure that the source of an article is posted with it...whether it's the author and/or the website/text I got it from. ~L!

"Everyone needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal & cheer & give strength to the body & soul alike." ~John Muir

"Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it." ~Tallulah Bankhead

“I always have to break a song over my back. … I just can’t sing a song; it has to be part of my marrow and bones and everything.” ~Libby Holman, Hughes HS Class of 1920