The owner-bird relationship: Relevance for pet bird welfare

Burmeister AK, Drasch K, Rinder M, Prechsl S, Peschel A, Korbel R, Saam NJ (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Animal Welfare Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW)

Book Volume: 31

Pages Range: 137-154

Issue: 1

DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.1.012

Abstract

Empathy and anthropomorphism, well-established components of the human-pet relationship, are considered to be especially related to pet animal welfare. We have developed a systematic and standardised approach to explore the effect of the human-pet relationship on animal welfare, focusing on pet birds. Based on a data set measuring the owner-bird relationship as well as bird welfare, cluster analysis and multivariate regressions were used to identify empirical types of bird owners and analyse their effect on bird welfare. Five empirical types of bird owners were identified based on the multi-dimensional relationship between owner and bird which consisted of: (i) the closeness-appreciating anthropomorphising owner; (ii) the closeness-appreciating socially supported owner; (iii) the anthropomorphising socially supported owner; (iv) the inattentive owner; and (v) the distance-appreciating owner. These differed in terms of the owner's tendency to anthropomorphism, the social support the bird provides to the owner, the empathy, attentiveness and respect of the owner towards the bird, and the bird's relationship with the owner. In particular, the inattentive type, but also both anthropomorphising types, raised serious questions as to the well-being of the pet bird. We found significant correlations to bird behaviour, such as imprinting aspects, aggressiveness towards humans, conspecifics and other pet animals, as well as behavioural disorders, such as locomotor stereotypies, courtship behaviour towards humans and feather-plucking.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katrin Drasch Lehrstuhl für Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung Nicole Janine Saam Lehrstuhl für Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung

Involved external institutions

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE) Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB) der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Burmeister, A.-K., Drasch, K., Rinder, M., Prechsl, S., Peschel, A., Korbel, R., & Saam, N.J. (2022). The owner-bird relationship: Relevance for pet bird welfare. Animal Welfare, 31, 137-154. https://dx.doi.org/10.7120/09627286.31.1.012

MLA:

Burmeister, Anne-Kathrin, et al. "The owner-bird relationship: Relevance for pet bird welfare." Animal Welfare 31 (2022): 137-154.

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