Should Parrots Watch TV?

Bird tv is something that is used by some bird owners, but is it really good for your birds to be watching tv?

Bird tv is a beneficial way to prevent boredom while you are out of your home or your bird is in its own room alone.

Why is bird tv beneficial?

You may be thinking how could it be beneficial in the wild birds don’t have tv and in captivity we are just trying out best to replicate nature.

In the wild birds spend some of their time up in trees watching all the movement colours and sounds of their environment. It is very stimulating to them. This is also a great way to encourage your parrot to speak (not all will so please don’t get a parrot just so they can speak), it is also a way to encourage your bird to do some of their natural behaviours by watching other birds do it.

Ensure the tv is not too loud otherwise your bird could get overstimulated and start plucking.

How to pick the right bird tv?

So, what you don’t want to do is just flip on the tv and walk away. The first couple times you put on bird tv for your bird you should be around to see what they like and what they don’t. some of your best options when it comes to tv for your birds is something colourful, with movement, music, or soft sounds, you want to avoid loud shows with screaming or car crashes etc.

Children cartoons and Disney are great because there is lots of colour sounds and singing. Another good option is parrot tv on YouTube, make up a playlist then just play your playlist while you are gone so you can ensure only parrot tv will play. Animal planet is great too! – except the ones about birds of prey… avoid that.

How bird tv could be harmful?

If you are playing tv for your birds that is very loud – this can become very overstimulating for your bird and can lead to self mutilation which you do not want, the idea behind bird tv is it is on in the background so if they bird has played with its toys, and foraged it can go watch a bit of tv.

Horror movies and thrillers –  these are far to loud for your bird. animal planet or the fish screen on some tvs are very good for birds.

What about radios?

Radios are another great option as it is well known that birds love music and to sing and dance, same goes for the tv as the radio, not to loud volume wise, and not any loud music.

Listen to music with your bird and see what is their favourite and make your bird a playlist.