I’ve had my parrot, Kiwi, for about three years now, and she’s always been super chill around me and my partner. Lately, I’ve started making short vlogs at home about my day, and whenever I turn on the camera or start talking, Kiwi suddenly gets really agitated - flapping wings, loud squawking, even biting at the camera tripod once. It’s weird because she’s totally fine if I’m just chatting without filming or if my partner talks near her. I’ve tried filming in different rooms, using different cameras, and even recording without the tripod, but she still freaks out shortly after I start. I want to keep vlogging since it’s a fun creative outlet for me, but I don’t want to stress Kiwi out or damage our bond. Has anyone else had a pet act up only during specific activities like recording? How did you handle it without having to give up your hobby or force the pet to get used to something stressful? Could Kiwi be reacting to something subtle in the filming process that I’m missing?

Kiwi’s reaction to the camera setup really reminds me of how my old dog would get weird around certain sounds or objects that seemed harmless to us but felt threatening to him. Parrots are super sensitive to changes in their environment, and even subtle things like the click of a button, a reflection from the lens, or the tripod’s shadow might be throwing her off. Have you tried covering the tripod with a cloth or moving it further away, so it’s less in her space? Sometimes making the gear less visually or audibly intrusive helps.

Also, it might be worth observing if your tone or body language shifts when you start recording - animals pick up on those cues too. Maybe try some “practice” sessions where you turn the camera on but don’t actually vlog, and reward Kiwi for staying calm. It’s a slow process, but it could help her associate the filming with positive things without forcing her into stress.