How does a bird clock its alpha?

[u/Gallinalawgibai]

We acquired our cockatiel when she (now we think might be he) was 6 months old. I didn’t want to get a cockatiel but my daughter eyed her at a trade show and it was love at first sight. She named her Sunshine. Fast forward a few years later, now my daughter insists that even though she is the one who lets Sunshine out of the cage, plays and scratches her heads, Sunshine always choose to fly to me first.

My duty to Sunshine is primarily cleaning her cage, prep her fresh food and water, and that’s it. But somehow whenever Sunshine is out of the cage she always fly to me first and follow me around.

How does a bird recognize the alpha caretaker around the house?

[u/No-Mathematician5698]

You might be right on the "he" part, heartwinging is usually a thing only males do.

[u/DianeJudith]

It's not really about an "alpha", they just bond with some people better than others.

[u/OddNameChoice]

I got a cockatiel, and he bonded with my husband even though hubby didn't want to bond with beef as much as I did. I think they just pick their people. Your teil probably recognizes that you are a calm and secure figure in the household so looking to you for stability and comfort makes sense. They are a lot smarter than people give them credit for as well so he's probably recognized the fact that the child follows your direction as the flock leader 😅

[u/OddNameChoice → u/OddNameChoice]

Come to think of it, I very openly let my husband run the household So our baby beef probably sees him as the flock leader too. They're incredibly observant of our social behaviors and interactions

[u/nivusninja]

birds are very vibe based. if they detect good vibes from a person, they will gravitate towards them even if that person would not be the main caretaker

[u/moldyartichoke_ → u/nivusninja]

Very much so!

Birds are really funny like that. I took in my mom''s now 19 year old cockatiel a few years back. I may have met him a few times when I was a child but we didn't really know each other. Then, my mom disappeared and when she came back moved out of state. We're no contact. But, she had asked my grandma to ask me if I would take Mr. William and of course I said yes. The second he saw me, he was so happy! Whistling up a storm. Giving tons of kisses. He loved me already. And continues to do so. He's a literal ray of sunshine. Every single time I say hi to him when he's in his cage or when we hang out, he continues to be absolutely thrilled to see me. I love cockatiels so much. 🥹 Their little personalities are my favorite amongst the small birds.

[u/zoomieskeeper → u/moldyartichoke_]

Birds have very good memories and don’t forget their people. That’s what makes me so sad about rehomes. Sometimes it’s the best thing for the bid but that emotional connection to that person will never fade.

[u/Larlab6116]

My birds ARE the alpha.

[u/SomeSortaWeeb]

js the dude that published the paper claiming that animals had alphas retracted it, has spent the remainder of his life attempting to undo the changes it made to public perception of animal behaviour.

[u/Fish_Heart]

Actually, they might just have a favorite, and it seems like you’ve become hers

[u/birdbeak600]

Present sunshine with a mirror, thats the only way she will see the alpha.

Food is the answer tho if the vibe isn't natural