Does the smell of Skunk or Weed harm my budgie?

[MooFish]

Does the smell of skunk or weed outside harm my budgie?

So I'm just laying on my bed right now, it's 1:30AM EST and I get this whiff of skunk. We've never had a skunk seen around here before, but I do know they live in our area. I don't think skunk smell is dangerous to my bird, but I'm just making sure.

Now my real concern is weed. I've never taken any, and my family hasn't either. We don't own anything like that. I've learned, though, that weed smells similar to skunk. If it is potentially weed or any other nasty substance, could the smell of it outside of my house somewhere harm my bird?

 

[Kamoebas]

Yes, People should never smoke near birds. Skunks just smell terrible as a self defense. Plus nobody would be awake that late. It is definitely an illegal substance. I recommend you call somebody like the police. Keep your bird far from that smell.

 

[Kamoebas]

What state do you live in? This helps to know If skunks live there.

 

[Kamoebas]

Also, are you near a farmfield, grassland or forest? Thats where skunks live.

 

[MooFish]

Also, are you near a farmfield, grassland or forest? Thats where skunks live.

I am near a farmfield. I have one neighbor close to me, but the smell wasn't in the direction of their house. The smell was near the farmfield and the treeline. There is construction behind the treeline though. Kind of hard to explain but yeah.

As I've already mentioned, skunks do live in my state/area. I just haven't ever seen one at our house. It's the afternoon now and I haven't smelt it at all. I'm lead to believe it was weed, since skunk smell usually lingers.

 

[Sparkles99]

If you’re unfortunate enough to have smelled enough second hand pot, as I have, you can tell the difference. Any smoke is bad for birds.

 

[MooFish]

If you’re unfortunate enough to have smelled enough second hand pot, as I have, you can tell the difference. Any smoke is bad for birds.

I'm a bit of a noseblind individual, so I haven't had enough experience to tell the difference. I don't think it affected my bird since he's doing just fine, luckily. If it happens again I guess I'll have to bring it up to my neighbors or the construction workers nearby. Or install a camera on that side of the house and call the police if they do it again, if it even was weed.

 

[Shezbug]

Is it smoke you’re smelling or just a funky smell?

The smell of fresh/non burning weed drifting in through your window from some outside source is not going to be a problem even if it’s a smell you don’t like.
Smoke from burning weed or anything else burning is never good for your bird to be breathing in.

I’ve never heard of the scent that skunks put out being dangerous for anything to breathe- I am of the belief that it’s just an unpleasant quite potent but harmless scent.

 

[Mizzely]

Yes, People should never smoke near birds. Skunks just smell terrible as a self defense. Plus nobody would be awake that late. It is definitely an illegal substance. I recommend you call somebody like the police. Keep your bird far from that smell.

It is not illegal in all areas. It is not illegal in my state, for instance. And I'm often awake until 2am

No one was smoking purposely near their bird.

Also, are you near a farmfield, grassland or forest? Thats where skunks live.

Skunks also live in some cities, like mine

Weed and skunks smell very similar to me too. There is a difference but when it's farther off, it's harder to tell.

Secondhand smoke is bad for everyone. However if it was just a bit of the smell it's probably fine regardless. Obviously not ideal though; close the windows, run an air purifier if you aren't already, and you can use a fan to blow air away from your bird.

 

[Zara]

Shawna covered the main points above. But I just wanted to add, maybe you could plant some air purifying plants outside your house in and around that area where the smell comes in?