Issue 26 | February 2023 — Parrot
Helping Pet Store Parrots Live Their Best Lives
A parrot is an iconic part of a pet store; many people have strong memories of visiting pet stores as children and being amazed by a big red macaw, or delighted by flocks of colorful lovebirds. Even now, many companion birds are bought after a visit to a store that...
By Adrianne Mock, CPBC
Issue 25 | February 2023 — Parrot
Is a Busy Parrot Really a Happy Parrot?
Summary: As bird owners, we are quickly taught that toys are super-important for parrots. We need to keep them busy to avoid boredom and stereotypical behavior, and to keep them healthy. Keeping parrots occupied is indeed an important part of bringing them in to our...
By Stephanie Edlund, CPBCIssue 24 | October 2022 — Parrot
Parrots Need You! The Lacey Act and USDA-APHIS
Summary: Two new sets of regulations, from different parts of the US Government, are poised to create serious problems for parrot caregivers, avian veterinarians, rescuers, and breeders. This article looks at the legal foundations of the proposed amendments to the...
By Apryl Miller, JDSex in the Psittacine
Summary: The dedication most parrot caregivers have to their avian companion’s wellbeing, combined with their air-conditioned, artificially-lighted indoor lifestyles, means they are in perfect shape to want to reproduce. If they’re not careful, caregivers...
By Kashmir Csaky, CPBC EmeritusIssue 21 | June 2022 — Parrot
A Tribute to Dr. Pat Anderson
Dr. Patricia Anderson, CPBC, was a much-loved and respected member of IAABC, who sadly passed away on July 26th this year. To honor Pat’s contributions to IAABC’s Parrot Division and especially to The IAABC Foundation Journal, we are republishing her...
By IAABC Foundation Editing TeamThe Benefits of Teaching a Parrot Tricks
Living with an intelligent exotic animal like a parrot can be an absolute joy. It can also be quite challenging trying to meet the complex needs of these marvelous sentient beings. The most effective and humane, and least intrusive, way to interact with your bird is...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDLiving and Learning with Ozzie: From “Unpredictable” Biter to Accomplished Painter
Introduction: A rocky start in 2010 Shortly before I became a student of applied behavior analysis, a new parrot came to live with Steve and me. Ozzie, an adult female green Quaker parrot (hatch date April 11, 2004) was relinquished to the Quaker Parakeet Society...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDThe Human-Avian Bond
According to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association survey, 6.1 million American households own an estimated 14.3 million birds, making birds the fourth most common pet following dogs, cats, and fish. Despite the popularity of birds as pets, there have been...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDIssue 20 | October 2016 — Parrot
Chicken Enrichment
Summary: As backyard chickens grow more popular as pets, it is important for animal behavior consultants to be able to support chicken caregivers in providing for their behavioral wellbeing, even if they’re being called in to help with a different species. This...
By Blaze FulbrookIssue 18 | May 2021 — Parrot
Peer Support and Networking for Parrot Behavior Consultants: An Interview with Robin Horemans
Although birds are a relatively common pet around the world, compared to dog and cat lovers I think it’s fair to say that “crazy bird people” are few and far between. Of course, what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in passion – something families and...
Issue 17 | November 2020 — Parrot
Chickens and Roosters…As Pets?
Chickens are the most widely found bird in the world, and there are only a few countries where they do not live. With an estimated six to eight chickens per person, they are also the most populous bird.1 Nevertheless, perhaps because chickens are typically perceived...
By Pauline HruskaPandemic Poultry Purchasing
Poultry purchasing during the pandemic has brought attention to the need for animal behaviour consultants to have a basic level of understanding of chicken behaviour. Many new chicken owners would benefit from reputable behavioural expertise and resources during this...
By Maisie WakeIssue 16 | July 2020 — Parrot
Experiencing Natural Encounters, Inc. as a Professional Animal Trainer
I applied to the Natural Encounters Inc. (NEI) professional animal training course in April. I spent the rest of the year eagerly anticipating the course. I figured January was a great time to head to Florida, especially since I’m from cold Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I...
By Robin Horemans KPA-CTPPetting and Stroking Parrots
Many of our clients have been told not to pet their parrots. Don’t touch your bird here, don’t touch your bird there…but of course they (and we!) still want to, and can’t always resist. This leaves the question: What can we do, and what should we tell our behavior...
By Shauna Roberts, CPBCIssue 14 | April 2020 — Parrot
Getting Out of my Dog Training Comfort Zone by Experiencing a Different Species
A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a weeklong workshop at Natural Encounters, Inc. in Florida. I signed up for it on the advice of and endorsement by several other trainers and was thrilled at the prospect of spending several days in Florida with...
By Adria Karlsson, CDBCIssue 13 | October 2019 — Parrot
Helping Pet Store Parrots Live Their Best Lives
A parrot is an iconic part of a pet store; many people have strong memories of visiting pet stores as children and being amazed by a big red macaw, or delighted by flocks of colorful lovebirds. Even now, many companion birds are bought after a visit to a store that...
By Adrianne Mock, CPBCIssue 12 | July 2019 — Parrot
A Bird, Her Game, and What They Taught Me About Training
I have an Aru Eclectus hen named Cah’ya (pronounced “cha-HI-uh”) who invented her own game. In this game, she stands on my arm and slowly leans far over to one side. I am then supposed to lean to the opposite side. She waits for me to do so. Then she slowly leans over...
By Emily Strong, CPBT-KAIssue 11 | April 2019 — Parrot
The Benefits of Teaching a Parrot Tricks
Living with an intelligent exotic animal like a parrot can be an absolute joy. It can also be quite challenging trying to meet the complex needs of these marvelous sentient beings. The most effective and humane, and least intrusive, way to interact with your bird is...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDIssue 10 | February 2019 — Parrot
Calgary Bird School: An Obedience Class for Companion Parrots
In a little city in Canada, owners are meeting once a month for a dog training class. Except there are no dogs in this class, only parrots! Birds in class learn foundation behaviours like “Step Up,” “Target” and “Station.” They’re introduced to marker training and...
By Robin Horemans, KPA-CTPTeach Your Bird to Play Family Games!
In my childhood household, you weren’t an actual human until you could play the card game Rummy. Our family comprised two parents and four kids, and my poor youngest brother only became fully and properly recognized when he was finally able to hold some cards, count,...
By Jennifer CunhaIssue 9 | October 2018 — Parrot
Diet and Behavior in Companion Parrots
When we discuss nutrition, we usually focus on its impact on physical health. However, brain health is just as important. Science has proven that an animal’s diet must include all essential nutrients or both physical and brain health may suffer. If a balanced,...
By Pamela Clark, CVTCalling All Crows Part 2: Social Learning and Novel Objects
In my last column, I talked about how I trained the crows that visited my garden to come to me on cue, using food to reward them for visiting. Now that I had “my” crows reliably visiting the garden and could attract them whenever I wanted, it seemed like a good time...
By Camille King, EdD, CDBC, ACAABScreaming!!
If you have ever shared your home with a feathered friend, you more than likely understand why I added two exclamation points at the end of that word. For us as humans, screaming is one of the most annoying, painful, and downright unacceptable natural behaviors of...
By Lisa Desatnik, CPBC, CPDT-KAWildlife Rehabilitation and Companion Animal Behavior Consulting: Opposite Yet Complimentary Applications
Working with wild, captive, or domestic animals of any kind, the more skills you can develop in the varying areas of their care the more comprehensive your knowledge will be when it comes to assessing individuals and overcoming challenges in your field. For example,...
By Rachel RileyIssue 8 | July 2018 — Parrot
Calling All Crows: A Dog Behaviorist’s Observations of Corvid Behavior, Part 1
For generations, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos) is a bird with well-established intelligence, especially in problem-solving skills, but it is viewed by many as an agricultural pest causing the destruction of crops, noise pollution—especially at roost...
By Camille King, EdD, RN, ACAAB, CDBCAttracting Parrot Behavior Clients Before They Need You
As a certified parrot behavior consultant and certified professional bird trainer setting up a practice, one of my first impressions was that people seem to be more reluctant to spend money on a bird than on a dog. Experience a serious issue with a dog and most people...
By Debbie Foster, CPBT-KA, CPBCIssue 6 | April 2018 — Parrot
The Internet, Exercise, and Parrots
On the Internet, you may come across all manner of fun, interesting, and sometimes zany things that parrots can do. It can be funny to watch, or just interesting to learn. Kudos for continuing to research and discovering new ways to improve your birds’ lives! We...
By Robin Horemans, KPA-CTPIssue 5 | October 2017 — Parrot
Companion Bird Awareness Month – Promoting Companion Bird Education
Before I was a Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant, I started promoting companion bird education while volunteering at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Mass.. When I began volunteering back in 2010,...
By Sheila Blanchette, CPBCKokoda’s Diary Part 2
This is a continuation of the counter-conditioning diary I started last issue. I am working with my Eclectus parrot, Kokoda, who I would like to teach to happily accept wearing a harness. In the last issue, we had made a start on the process of gradually introducing...
By Lee Stone, CPDT-KALiving and Learning with Ozzie: From “Unpredictable” Biter to Accomplished Painter
Introduction: A rocky start in 2010 Shortly before I became a student of applied behavior analysis, a new parrot came to live with Steve and me. Ozzie, an adult female green Quaker parrot (hatch date April 11, 2004) was relinquished to the Quaker Parakeet Society...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDIssue 4 | July 2017 — Parrot
Counter-Conditioning a Parrot: Kokoda’s Video Diary
Kokoda is a 16-month-old female Eclectus Parrot. She was purchased from an Eclectus Specialist breeder in New South Wales and sent to me in Western Australia at around 14 weeks of age, after she was fully weaned and fledged. Kokoda is very cheeky, a total clown who...
By Lee Stone, CPDT-KABirds Need to Fly
One of the benefits of training with positive reinforcement is eagerness in training. Getting an experienced animal to come to you or stay with you is not usually a problem. Yet the pendulum swings both ways. We must train our animals what they should do instead of...
By Greg GlendellSpotlight on Research: Parrot Enrichment
This issue, we caught up with Joanna Berger, who recently graduated with Distinction from the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine. As part of her Master’s project, Joanna traveled to Virginia to work with a parrot sanctuary called...
By Joanna BergerIssue 3 | April 2017 — Parrot
Ethological Considerations in the Care of Companion Parrots
Parrots (Psittacines) are the most popular companion birds. However, most species are not domesticated, and they retain the behavioural traits seen in the species in the wild. Many conditions in which they are kept as pets are counter to the conditions to which they...
By Greg GlendellIssue 2 | February 2017 — Parrot
The Human-Avian Bond
According to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association survey, 6.1 million American households own an estimated 14.3 million birds, making birds the fourth most common pet following dogs, cats, and fish. Despite the popularity of birds as pets, there have been...
By Patricia K. Anderson, PhDRehabilitating an Umbrella Cockatoo
I adopted a male cockatoo from an animal shelter in February 2007. His name was Charlie, and he had obviously been neglected physically, emotionally, and socially. At that time, his diet consisted solely of Cheerios. He was plucking his feathers and fearful of people....
By Debbie WinklerIssue 1 | October 2016 — Parrot
Choices, Not Labels Help Birds Learn
Dreyfuss, my pionus, is a bird who—if I’d let her—would spend much of her day sitting next to me or on me, frequently with her head down for rubs. So why was it that this sweet girl would lunge at my arm and even bite it, whenever I’d put my arm in front of her...
By Lisa Desatnik