Researchers historically tended to assume birds either did not masturbate or did so only under the stress of captivity ... Accounts from hobbyists revealed that some owners had sought veterinary help when they caught their birds masturbating, fearing the animals might hurt themselves.

People are HORRIBLE with birds. Even the ones that pretend to love them treat them like trash.

And then there's the fuckers that think that their views of the world matters more than anything else, and will punish masturbation because animals don't feel pleasure so it shouldn't be allowed, will punish them for having gay couples because gay shouldn't exist and especially not in animals (else how can you say your main homophobic argument of "gay is unnatural, only degenerate humans do it"), will starve them for "training" purposes, and don't get me started on the diets, environment safety and cage sizes.

There's a reason why the life expectancy of birds doesn't increase in captivity. People are really, really horrible with birds, and the more I read about people who "care" about birds the worse I feel for their birds.

“folk husbandry often advises bird keepers to discourage or punish this behaviour, sometimes even resorting to surgery and hormonal interventions,”

American Christianity punishes all ideas of enjoying sex, even among animals.

humans never cease to amaze don't they

My mind blown

Sounds like the birds were still having more fun

Hold up. If a bird is bonded to you, and it does it, does it even count as baitin’? Sounds more like it’s trying to mate with its mate.

This is actually one part of why fully hand-rearing baby parrots should not be done. When they don't perceive themselves as birds and will only bond to humans, they can get extremely frustrated since humans can't properly answer to their instinctual needs like mating behavior. This then easily leads to plenty of behavioral issues like excessive screaming and aggression towards even the human they're bonded with. Never seek to become a birds mate, just be friends with them

Not an expert, but I've witnessed something like this. Step mom turned into a strange bird person for her midlife crisis, got an African grey that absolutely hates all females including her, but loves all dude. It dude puff up and squat on your shoulder, but it wouldn't rub anything. Maybe it's different for male birds.

A seagull stole my chip. Are you suggesting I just Let That Go?

Look, man, I wasn't punishing them I just didn't have anything to feed them but cornflakes. I am not John Kellogg; I didn't think that shit actually would stop anyone masturbating. 🤷‍♂️

Some of them insist upon it, even if you've never SEEN a fucking flog, much less wielded one against a partner.

Oh no, another expert in Bird Law

Bird Jesus looks down on them all.

BirDSM

I agree. Gotta keep the "bird seed" out of the bird seed.

I still do it the old-fashioned way and call them "chicks".

What do you mean? That bird looks just like the President.