Birds, the warm-blooded and feathered vertebrates, are being used to put romantic partners to the test.

A relationship experiment dubbed the "bird theory" is making the rounds on social media. It involves mentioning a fake bird sighting in casual conversation.

People, largely women, record themselves telling their romantic partner about a bird they saw while out and about in a bid to gauge the level of interest in an otherwise mundane observation.

The purpose, according to one social media user, is "to see if they’ll be interested and ask about something you saw even if it’s stupid like just an ordinary bird."

Or as Vanessa Milagros, licensed mental health counselor, points out in an Oct. 21 explainer: "It's not about the bird, it's about being seen."

While the bulk of the experiments have been conducted on the average Joe, the "bird theory" has garnered the attention of the famous-adjacent. Most notably, the partner of rap star Yung Gravy recently put him to the test.

Some, like the rapper, passed with flying colors, while others weren't sure what to make of the non sequitur.

Interested in putting your partner to the test? Here's what it entails.

What is the 'bird theory?'

"Bird theory" is a trend that's became popular on social media, specifically TikTok, in late October.

Footage collected and reviewed by USA TODAY shows people telling their significant others about a bird sighting, whether real or imagined, to see how they'll respond to the prompt.

Those who "passed" typically asked follow-up questions or offered additional commentary, either in the form of anecdotes or funny suggestions.

The level of interest in the conversation, according to some users, is a gauge of overall affection or care. Others weren't as easily convinced, noting that they wouldn't have thought to ask anything else if given absolutely no context.

Is 'bird theory' actually rooted in psychology, science?

According to Milagros, though the "bird theory" is entirely hypothetical, it is actually based on psychology.

"This references something that we talk about all the time, especially as therapists and psychologists, which is bids for connection," Milagros said. "An important element in any romantic relationship."

"Bids for connection," or the ability to share small and seemingly insignificant details from the day, such as a funny meme, are important. They foster a sense of trust, emotional safety and closeness within the relationship, according to the mental health counselor.

But while the experiment itself can be "fun and interesting," Milagros cautioned that it shouldn't be conducted with the intention of keeping score. That's because "everyone misses some moments," she said.

"We can't always be on and locked in and focused out of nowhere. What matters is the overall pattern," she added. "Do they usually meet you where you're at? Do they make you feel seen?"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A new relationship test involving birds is going viral. A therapist explains why.

Reporting by Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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