Show Notes
Birding can be as simple as noticing the birds in your backyard or as serious as traveling hundreds of miles to find a rare species in its natural habitat! In this episode, hosts Alexis and Avery explore what birding is, the different types of birdwatching, and the basic tools that can make the experience even more rewarding. They discuss the absolute joy of birding but also touch on the ethics of using recorded bird calls in the field. Along the way, they share their own birding stories and ...
More from Parrot Stars Podcast
Perches are far more than places for parrots to stand; They shape how birds move, explore, exercise, and maintain healthy feet and joints. In this episode, Alexis and Avery explain how thoughtful perch placement can make the entire enclosure accessible, why a well-equipped cage should offer plenty of climbing and activity opportunities, and why a bird’s “favorite perch” may actually be about location or confidence. They also explore the anatomy of parrot feet, the importance of varied diamete...
Parrots are among the most colorful animals on Earth, but their feathers may look completely different to another parrot than they do to us. In this episode, Alexis and Avery explore the science behind parrot coloration, including tetrachromatic vision, ultraviolet light, microscopic feather structures, melanin, and the uniquely parrot-made pigments called psittacofulvins. They also examine how color supports mate selection, species recognition, communication, camouflage, and survival, with f...
Why do we use cages, and what makes one appropriate for a parrot? In this episode, Alexis and Avery explain how a properly designed enclosure provides safety, structure, independence, and a place to recover from household stimulation, never punishment or isolation. They break down why parrot cages are built with bars, which materials are safest, why DIY wood and aquarium-style enclosures fall short, and the risks of relying on a cage-free bird room. They also introduce the most important cage...
African Grey parrots are among the most recognizable companion birds in the world, but their intelligence, beauty, and popularity have also made them major targets of the illegal wildlife trade. In this two-part episode, Alexis and Avery examine the trafficking of Congo African Greys from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the devastating mortality behind wild-caught bird shipments, and the country’s recent move to ban parrot capture, sale, transport, and export. They also discuss how pros...
How do we give our parrots meaningful attention without accidentally teaching them that they must be with us every second of the day? In this episode, Alexis and Avery break down the difference between healthy connection, purposeful independence, and true recovery time. They explore common patterns like guilt-driven attention, constant free rein, contact calling, “Velcro” behavior, and difficulty settling. Understand that these are often signs of an unbalanced system rather than a “needy” bir...