The Parrot Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Thinking about rescuing a parrot or adopting from a bird rescue? In this episode, we explore the realities of parrot rescue and life as a bird owner.

Parrot rescues around the world are overflowing with birds needing homes, yet many people don’t fully understand what adopting a rescue parrot involves. In this episode, certified professional bird trainer Sophie joins us to talk about rescuing parrots, rehoming birds, and the realities of bringing new parrots into your home.

We also discuss the honest side of being a bird parent, from the scariest moments we've experienced with parrots to the challenges many owners don’t expect. 

🦜Episode Highlights:

 • Rescuing parrots and adopting 
 • Sophie’s journey, adding three rescue cockatiels to the flock
 • The honest realities of being a bird parent, aka parront — the good, the bad, and the scary 
 • Our thoughts on AI-generated parrots and how they impact perceptions of parrots online

👉🏼Special Guest: Sophie Barnett, Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA) from Best Behaved Birds. Sophie has over 15 years of professional experience working with parrots across zoos, farms, and wildlife parks. She holds a First Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a Triple Distinction National Diploma in Animal Management.

“It's really good to have realistic expectations and not expect that everything is going to go really well, but that's not to put people off rescuing, it's incredible, there are so many birds. I cannot stress how many birds ...rescues are swelled.” — Sophie

Links:
 • https://bestbehavedbirds.com/ 

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we sit down with Lea from NEKTON to talk all things summer bird care, from avoiding heat stress in parrots and other birds to smart supplement strategies that can make a big difference in the summer. Parrots don’t sweat, and hot days, especially during heat waves, can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. 

We cover the key signs of heat stress, what to do if you spot them, common mistakes bird owners make during the summer, prevention recommendations and what to avoid. Plus, Lea shares her go-to supplements for the season and how to introduce them safely to your birds! Whether you're a seasoned bird keeper or new to parrot care, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Keypoints:
☀️Staying healthy in the heat
☀️How does heat affect birds
☀️Signs of overheating
☀️Supplements for birds in summer
☀️Why supplements are beneficial for pet birds
☀️ Electrolytes, vitamins and bone health
☀️ How do your supplements complement a healthy diet?
☀️ How to introduce supplements, even to picky eaters!
☀️ Common mistakes bird owners make when caring for their birds during the summer

Special Guests:
👉🏼 Lea from NEKTION, a leading brand in high-quality bird care products. Nekton offers a wide range of supplements designed to keep your feathered friends healthy and thriving, from ornamental birds to birds of prey. 

“Electrolytes give the birds important minerals, simple sugars like dextrose and fructose and vitamin C, and these help keep the fluids balanced and help the birds recover faster after such stress like dehydration, heat and stuff, so that’s very good in the summer.”— Lea 

Links:

NEKTON Shop: https://shop.nekton.de/en/ 

NEKTON News: https://www.nekton.de/en/sommerhitze-bei-voegeln-unsere-partnerin-gibt-tipps-zur-richtigen-pflege/

Blog on Heat: https://poodlesandparrots.com/blog/posts/protect-your-birds-from-summer-heat

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

Join Julie and me as we dive into the behind-the-scenes of birds found in big chain pet stores, share bird hacks, and offer tips for keeping your fids happy and healthy! We'll also discuss crucial topics like the impact of heavy metals on your pets, the importance of regular vet visits, and so much more! 

Key Points:

• Stories from Working at Big Chain Stores
• Debunking Instagram Birb myths
• Bird Hacks
• Interspecies Relationships: Cats & Birds!
• What do Black Feathers mean?
• Kale Crisps and Veggie Hacks
• Household Dangers and Heavy Metal Toxicity
• Arlo’s Vet Visit
• Makeup and Skincare Around Birds
• Black Capped Conures 
• Bird Cage Brands & Set Up Tips

Special Guests:

• Julie, @arlobirb

“So many pet owners out there or people who try to buy pets are not giving their pets a good life. I’ve seen it all…” - Julie.  

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/arlobirb/ 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we chat with David, a professional parrot trainer, on how he and his partner Sophie manage a flock of eight! David shares their journey of caring for rescue birds, including one with a missing leg! Get insights into providing specialized care for disabled parrots and find out the hard truth about crimson-bellied conures!😮 Plus, learn practical tips on how to deal with biting and enhance your parrot’s diet with healthier seed options.🙌🏼

Key Points:

• Rescue birds
• Caring for disabled birds 
• Are crimson-bellied conures more difficult?
• Life with a flock of 8! 
• Treat hierarchy test
• The importance of observation
• Daily routine with a big flock
• Avian vision
• How to make SEEDS healthier
• How to deal with BITING
• Hormone Season and Egg Laying
• Kipling's Pets - Isopods and Jumping Spiders!

Special Guests:

• David, The Parrot Teacher @theparrotteacher

“By doing that research, you can provide a better diet, you can see what sort of natural behaviours you can mimic in the home as well…but I feel observing your parrot is important for so many reasons” - David.  

Links:

• https://bestbehavedbirds.com/ 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we dive into the cuteness of caiques! Join us as we explore the unique personalities of these lively parrots. From their playful antics to their affectionate nature, we chat about why caiques are so fun and what they are like as pets!

But that's not all – we also lift the curtain on the fascinating life of a birbfluencer. Ever wondered what it's really like behind the Instagram reels and viral videos? Learn about the joys and challenges of sharing your life with a feathered friends on social media.

Key Points:

• Caiques personalities
• Caique parrots as pets
• Lala and Dobby’s story
• Caique bite force
• How loud are they?
• White bellied vs Black headed Caiques
• What it’s like being a birbfluencer!
• Funny facts about Lala and Dobby

Special Guests:

• Lala, Dobby and their Dad! @_lala_dobby_

“Caiques are more energy full than most parrots, they always want to be the middle of your world”. - Ilkhan   

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

Join us in this episode for some fun, tips and facts! We explore Jessa’s diverse flock and each of their personalities. She has a flock of six with an Eclectus, Indian Ringneck, Budgie, Sun Conure, Cockatiel, and an African Grey. We chat about some of the research she's done and interesting tidbits about all these different species!

Key Points:

• Having a diverse flock
• From a mom: Are parrots like kids?
• Small to Big Birds as Pets 
• Budgies!
• Eclectus!
• Indian Ringnecks!
• Powder vs Non-Powder Birds
• Do parrots dream?
• Why are parrots scared of random things?
• Tips before bringing home a new bird

Special Guests:

• Jessa @jessalin000

“I feel like with parrots it’s endless research” - Jessa.   

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of parrot nutrition, exploring their diverse dietary needs based on findings of scientific research on what parrots eat in the wild. Dr. Jason Crean shares what makes up a parrot's natural diet and the importance of replicating this diversity in captivity. We also explore the benefits of avian teas, which pellets are best, how to feed your birds and more!

Key Points:

• Lorikeet Diet
• Toucan Diet
• Parrot Diet
• Pellets for Parrots
• Diverse Foods for Parrots
• Why a Raw Food Diet is so Important
• Can behaviours improve with diet?
• Portion sizes to feed
• Fats in a Parrot Diet
• Debunking Myths on Toxic Foods
• Avian Teas

Special Guests:

• Dr Jason Crean @drjasoncrean biologist, educator and consultant who specializes in all species education.

“They are surviving, but parrots are opportunistic, so they can eat all kinds of different things” - Dr. Jason Crean  

Links:

• https://www.drcrean.com/drcrean-home 
• https://biobirdblends.company.site/ 
• https://www.theparrotshop.ca/search.asp?keyword=biodiversity 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/ 

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we jump into the vibrant world of toucans, specifically aracari toucans! Join us as we chat with Maria about everything from their unique diet and care requirements to understanding their lifespan and the potential vet bills involved. We talk about their most known feature - their big beaks, what their bites are like, what they are like as pets, why their poops are worse than parrots and all the differences and similarities between parrots and toucans! Tune in for this fun toucan special!!

Key Points:

• Toucan facts
• Aracaris Toucans
• Can you have them as pets?
• Toucan lifespan and care requirements
• How do Toucans sleep
• How do Toucans fly?
• Are toucans difficult pets?
• How different are they from Parrots?
• Are Toucans loud?
• What is their bite strength?
• Are Toucans easy to train?
• Special health concerns and VET BILLS
• Toucan Beak Anatomy + Do they have talking abilities?
• How much do they cost!

Special Guests:

• Maria & Chester @chester_the_toucan

“Their diets are so specific, and it's so much fruit, and you can’t make chop” - Maria

“Honk honk” - Chester   

Links:

• https://www.chesterthetoucan.com/ 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/ 

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

Join us in this episode as we talk with Ada from Parrot Disaster and Parrot Planet Poland about avian care, navigating the complexities of trauma in birds, the behaviours of various species, and how their hormones can differ, too! Discover Ada’s tips for foraging ideas to enrich your bird's environment and advice on setting up the perfect habitat in your home tailored to your bird species. 

Key Points:

• Dealing with Trauma in Bird
• Adopting Parrots
• Jardine and Pionus Species
• African Greys
• Healthy Parrot Foods
• Healing a destroyed liver in Parrots
• Foraging Ideas 
• How to Create a Parrot Paradise at Home
• Hormone Season for Different Species 
• Understanding Parrot Behaviour

Special Guests:

• Ada @parrot_disaster @masterofparrotdisaster

“This is a bird; birds need to fly, birds need to forage, birds need to play… we need to consider that this is animal from the nature, not from our home, and this is wild creature.” - Ada  

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/parrot_disaster/
• https://parrotplanet.pl/ 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/  

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots   

In this episode, we talk with the famous Parrot Wizard about the intricacies of ensuring your feathered friend's well-being, covering topics such as optimal sleep patterns, the importance of bird lamps, safe nail trimming techniques, and the benefits of harness training. Michael shares the unique characteristics and personalities of Senegal and Cape Parrots, as well as a comparison of having large versus small bird species. 

Key Points:

• Sleep for Parrots
• Bird Lamps - do they work? Are they beneficial?
• Importance of weighing birds!!
• Aviator Harness Training - the safest ways to take your birds outdoors
• Sunlight benefits, and how often should pet parrots get sunshine?
• Senegal and Cape Parrots
• What is a beginner bird?
• Large vs Small Parrots
• Answering questions on nail trimmings, growing a flock
• How to live in Harmony with your Bird!

Special Guests:

• Michael @trainedparrot & @all-parrots on YouTube, aka The Parrot Wizard

“As we improve their lifestyle and better tailor our home and our relationship with them, the nicer they are back to us as well” - Michael  

Links:

• https://parrotwizard.com/ 
• https://parrotwizard.com/Store/ 

Connect with us on Instagram @theparrotpodcast

 🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots