Chasing birds

[Soulmate]

I figured this was the most appropriate age range for this question.

Often when I am out at the park I see toddlers/kids chasing after the geese, ducks, whatever. Yesterday I was at a very small zoo and a boy said, "I'm going to go chase the peacock!" and his mom didn't bat an eyelash. The same day an older girl (~9) was chasing that same peacock in front of her grandmother who was smiling.

Now, I find that disturbing. Parents regularly know not to let their kids tap or bang on fish tanks...how is chasing birds any different? I feel bad for these poor birds who are just trying to hang out and are constantly getting chased around. I'm I just weird for feeling this way (even if I am I will still teach my child not to chase animals)? It seems to common.

[sea74]

No, I don't think you're weird because I feel the exact same way. I always feel sorry for the birds/ducks/whatever because you know they are terrified.

[Ferris]

I feel bad for peacocks, but not regular birds. :o

I am a teacher and have been to the Zoo on field trips (and on regular trip with my DS) and those poor peacocks are tortured and nothing is done by the parents. But if you notice it's the same kids who also bang on the fish tanks and parents don't do anything either!!

With peacocks I feel bad because they can fly a little but not enough to get away from the kiddos.

[emschwar]

I feel bad for peacocks, but not regular birds. :o

I don't feel bad for peacocks, but maybe that's because as a 3 year old, I used to chase a peacock (friends had a farm, and had a peacock on it) and one day it turned around and started to chase me! The peacocks can hold their own. :)

[meganth]

When i was 9 years old i saw a kid chasing a goose and then that goose turned on it and attacked. The kid had to be taken away in an ambulance. I don't think chasing any bird is a wise idea and they are technically wild animals.

[solongtogo]

If the parent wants the kid to chase birds, have em sic the kid on a flock of canadian geese. Those birds are b@stards.

[Neen]

Those birds are b@stards.

I couldn't agree more!! When my DD was little we used to go down to the park to feed the ducks and geese. We weren't chasing them, just throwing the bread in the water and the stupid geese started to chase us! To say the least, we have never feed the ducks since (she is almost 18 now!!) and she is terrified of Canadian geese!

[bamboo]

It bothers me too, and I've taught DD (almost three), that it's not nice to chase birds (any birds, even pigeons ;) ).

[newmommy]

DS LOVES to chase birds as well, and you'll find me chasing him, to stop him from chasing the birds :rolleyes:

Last fall we were at a farm, and DS began to chase a chicken...and it was balding...the poor little thing looked terrified. I try my best to prevent this from happening, but it's not easy!