You know those bell-shaped concretions of birdseed that include a mirror stuck in a really cheap plastic frame, made for parrakeets? Well, why not make one about the size of a melon, but for a person? What a great gag gift for the cubicle dweller next to you, or better yet, who works for you! And it would have a really really cheap plastic-framed mirror, and the mirror would be cheap and have warbles in it. A concretion of peanuts, chocolates and other candies in a bell shape, on a string.-- entremanure, Jan 02 2002 Are Corvids Feathered Apes? http://www.zoo.cam..../feathered_apes.pdfMirror self-awareness in Jays: probably not. [bibliotaphist, Apr 24 2006] Chirp!-- phoenix, Jan 02 2002 would they like a little swing to go with it?-- po, Jan 02 2002 you swing, I'll push-- po, Jan 02 2002 why the mirror?-- technobadger, Jan 02 2002 It's the law.-- thumbwax, Jan 02 2002 Must have mirror. It's an integral part. Has to be a cheap mirror made of polished pot metal.-- bristolz, Jan 02 2002 I guess I'm the only one who doesn't know what you're talking about. Not your fault, I'm sure...-- snarfyguy, Jan 03 2002 In the U.S., a company called Hartz made and I guess still makes pet supplies, including the cheapo parakeet gift. Look in the pet isle at any grocery.
Why the mirror? Parakeets and humans enjoy weaving and dodging at their reflections.
Possibly the deluxe versions include a swing. Might have to deal with your Employee Safety representative, but if you promise to get him/her one too, they might find a way around the rules. Or you could volunteer to help them at their next class on parakeet resucitation for employees.-- entremanure, Jan 03 2002 Don't the mirrors really freak out some caged birds because they don't realise it's a reflection; they just think it's a really sneaky rival trying to move in on their territory (many birds are territorial)? Of course, I'm sure blissmiss wouldn't have the same problem.-- pottedstu, Jan 04 2002 Maybe so, I'm not a keeper of birds yet, although I do feed the wild ones. I could experiment and put a mirror on the outdoor feeder.
I occasionally reconsider the official science result that only humans, porpoises and chimps (and gorillas?) exhibit self-recognition in a mirror. But still, creatures are individuals and it would be very rewarding to find that one supposedly dumb starling or jay, upon seeing it's reflection, behaves as if it has suddenly become aware of itself. And that slight pause at the mirror was just the right amount of time for the kestrel to swoop down and nail the now self-aware bird.-- entremanure, Jan 07 2002 Better yet, make it a two-way mirror so the guy in the cubicle in front of him can laugh hysterically at the other playing with his reflection.-- mastermindmortal, Apr 23 2006 Apparently not, [entremanure] --- see link.-- bibliotaphist, Apr 24 2006 random, halfbakery