[Kerrigan]

Some birds can say thousands of words, and often time they speak English better than illegal immigrants. But despite such a range of verbal capability, the soul of the bird remains a mystery, locked away behind sinister, expressionless eyes. Behold:



What is the bird really thinking? And is it feeling any emotion? Or is it just cold-heartedly lying when it squawks "I LOVE YOU" over and over?

Behind those eyes, do birds feel agony at being trapped in their soulless states?

[Sky Captain]

Absolutely!
I can attest to this first hand.
I have a house full of birds.
I can tell when one is depressed or angry or happy.
And they're affectionate.

As for using language, of course they use language and learn to associate our words with actions.
And use abstract thought for problem solving.

And birds/animals are not soulless.
The Great Spirit endowed all living things with part of his spirit.

[olePigeon]

On a technical aspect, yes. Of course, so do some types of grass, as well as other plants. Yes, Vegans, you are causing physical pain to plants when you eat your salads and soy beans. Most plants have basic receptors that tell it when it's been damaged or injured, what we would call pain.

More advanced life forms such most animals are able to enterpret those feelings at a greater complexity, for better or worse.

[alligator]

I saw a duck sit once next to its dead mate for two whole days. The mate was run over by a car, and the male duck sat by her dead body for a long time. I was impressed, but sad to see it.

[design219]

STOP IT people. I love chicken...
and not in an affectionate sort of way.

- with sweet and sour sauce
- with olive oil and garlic
- with bar-b-que sauce
- with...

[imitchellg5]

I do think birds have feelings. Actually I think they are some of the most emotional animals. My friend has a small bird, I can't remember what it is called, but she's small and green. They used to have a turtle but they sold it. The bird would always follow the turtle around and sometimes even ride around on it's shell. When they sold the turtle, the bird stayed in its cage for a week and wouldn't come out.

[design219]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

memories

You can sell a turtle?

[Sky Captain]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

I do think birds have feelings. Actually I think they are some of the most emotional animals. My friend has a small bird, I can't remember what it is called, but she's small and green. They used to have a turtle but they sold it. The bird would always follow the turtle around and sometimes even ride around on it's shell. When they sold the turtle, the bird stayed in its cage for a week and wouldn't come out.

A Conure?

[Eriamjh]

Soulless eyes?

[TheoCryst]

Birdie! I was feeding birds today at lunch (little pieces of tortilla), and I made the following observations:

- Birds like tortilla
- There was one bird that was a total dick, stealing everyone else's food

As for emotions... who knows?

[Super Mario]

Penguinologists have observed that penguins have a vocabulary and give each other unique names. Christian and Muslim missionaries are currently trying to convert as many as possible. The Big Penguin in the sky is wrathful.

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by design219 

You can sell a turtle?

Actually I don't think he sold it. He gave it away I'm pretty sure now.

Originally Posted by Sky Captain 

A Conure?

No, it starts with a "B" I remember. Very small bird, green in color, with a yellow head.

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

Yes, birds do. When you piss off one of mine, get the **** out of the way!

[imitchellg5]

Wait, how do you have birds and cats? Sounds like a big furball

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh 

Soulless eyes?

I was wondering when you were going to post in this thread. I've watched your videos and loved them.

My cousin has an African Grey that was given to him by his in-laws. Years ago they had lost a son named Patrick. Patrick drowned in a lake in his mid 20's, and the Grey (named Bozo) spoke like Patrick for weeks, and wouldn't stop. The family said it seemed like his way of asking where he was. His demeanor changed, he seemed depressed, and wasn't eating as much.

I think they do have feelings. They can certainly get attached to people or other pets.

[RAILhead]

I ate some chicken today for lunch. Nuggets.

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Wait, how do you have birds and cats? Sounds like a big furball

They behave as long as they are separated by a cage

[Kerrigan]

There's a bird for every desire:

[zro]

Given that they (some species at least) engage in play, I'd say it's a definite possibility.

[JoshuaZ]

Birds have souls! Wants! Needs!

Mostly they revolve around them wanting crackers. But heck, some crackers are really good!

[Sky Captain]

My cockatoos crave attention.

[Mac Bird]

Absolutely. Many species are long-lived and pair-bond for life. When one mate dies, the other will show behavioral signs that mimic grief in a human (loss of appetite, lethargy, decreased interest in stimuli). Sure, one can make the argument that we are simply anthropomorphing, but damnned if the basic behaviors aren't the same.

The opposite is also true. Love. Cockatoos are sometimes called the teddy bear bird, because they crave love and attention. They can be content and happy as long as a member of their "flock" (a.k.a. human family) is holding them and petting them like a dog. Quite un-birdlike. The unique facet of this type of relationship is that the bird will reciprocate the attention and even become defensive if another "flock member" tries to intervene during the affections.

I could go on and on...Bottom line, arguments can be made for virtually every animal having feelings. The plant comment above was the best. Humans define feelings by human terms, but dismiss the fact that humans are animals. Somehow, by classifying the world around us, we're no longer a part of it. Those in the classified and studied world cannot and are not privledged to have human behaviors. Riiiiight.

[Disclaimer: I am not a scientist. I just love birds...and Macs. I also have five cockatiels/very spoiled children.]

[smacintush]

The question I would counter with is why the hell wouldn't birds have feelings? Just because a living thing isn't human that it must be some mindless automaton? Is that logical or reasonable?

I don't think that any rational, thinking person can positively conclude that a bird, or any other animal for that matter, has no feelings.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

No, it starts with a "B" I remember. Very small bird, green in color, with a yellow head.

Uh... 'Bird'?

[Sky Captain]

Budgie?

Playful Cockatoos

More Playful Cockatoos