Today I saw a bird... Why are couples testing their partner's loyalty with the bird theory? How did this trend start?

People are liking this trend because it looks very light-hearted, but behind it lies an attempt to understand the depth of relationships and emotional connection.

Relationship Trends

Nowadays, social media is no longer just a source of entertainment; it's also having a profound impact on people's thinking, relationships, and lifestyles. While previously private, couples now openly share their love, fights, and even relationship-testing trends on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Over the past few years, we've seen bizarre relationship trends like fake weddings, situational marriages, friendship marriages, and marriage graduations. Amidst all this, a new trend, the Bird Theory, has emerged, which is currently going viral on social media. 

People are liking this trend because, while seemingly lighthearted, it attempts to understand the depth and emotional connection of relationships. Through this trend, couples want to know whether their partner is truly connected to them, and why couples use it to test their partner's loyalty? So, let's explore what this Bird Theory trend is and how it began. 

What is the Bird Theory?

The Bird Theory originated on TikTok and is now gaining popularity on Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels. The concept behind this trend is simple. Simply tell your partner, "I saw a bird today." The real test is how your partner reacts. If your partner shows excitement, such as asking which bird, where they saw it, or what it actually looked like, it means they're loyal to your words, emotions, and small details, meaning they're emotionally connected. However, if they simply nod their head and ignore the topic or pay no attention, it's considered a sign of emotional distance. This is why people are trying to understand whether the emotional connection in their relationship remains intact through this small experiment.

The real psychology behind this trend

The Bird Theory trend is based on renowned American psychologist Dr. John Gottman's Bids for Connection theory. According to Dr. Gottman, there are small moments in every relationship when one partner wants a small emotional reaction from the other. Such as cracking a joke, showing something, or simply saying, "I saw a bird today." These small moments are the foundation of connection in life.

If the other person responds to these moments with love and interest, the relationship grows stronger. However, if they are repeatedly ignored, an emotional distance gradually develops between the two. Dr. Gottman's research shows that couples who respond positively to these small gestures more than 80 percent of the time have happy relationships in the long run. Whereas those who repeatedly ignore their partner's words find distance growing over time.