Question:
In your column, I read about the cat that had a "cuddle pet." Well, I have a cockatiel that has a "cuddle mouse." He thinks it is his mate, the way he behaves with it.I find my cockatiel very interesting, but feel sorry that he seems a little lonely. I gave him a small, safe cosmetic mirror so he can look at a "mirror friend." This seems to have helped -- he doesn't seem quite so frustrated. What do you think?.
B.P., Neptune, NJ Apr 25, 2004
Answer:
Thank you for sharing the touching story of your lonely cockatiel having a cuddle toy that he treats as his mate. I'm sure he's very entertaining and I am glad that you found that a mirror seems to help him (and probably you) feel better.Cute, touching but basically abnormal substitute behaviors (like making a mate out of a mirror image or stuffed toy) give pause for reflection. Is it cruel to deprive any highly social, healthy and intelligent animal the right to associate with his/her own kind? Does it make for an entire lifetime as a biological misfit, a poor creature out of place while the flight and songs of wild birds touch their hearts as well as ours?I would adopt a healthy cockatiel from a local shelter or cage-bird rescue and rehabilitation facility to come and live with your lonely avian friend.
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