For many, parrots have become a source of healing. With their ability to use speech and their seemingly empathetic behaviors, parrots have long proved to be an answer to someone needing a live and feeling pet companion to align with, someone to have as part of a small family. A parrot of many colors and speech often fits this bill.
For Jennifer Taylor O’Connor, an attorney, avian cognition researcher, and international speaker, it was her attentive caring for her parrots that helped lead her out of a long path of disillusionment and onto the path of brighter lights. After a series of personal tragedies that included a miscarriage and a childhood spent in a cult, her interaction with birds came with personal healing. Currently, Jennifer is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University.
“Parrot Kindergarten” Documentary
Recently, an Amy Herdy-directed documentary was completed that explored the story of Jennifer and her pet cockatoo named Ellie. The documentary premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and is called “Parrot Kindergarten.”
“Parrot Kindergarten” documents the intensive training that Jennifer provided Ellie. She trained Ellie with flashcards and a host of other teaching materials. This intense involvement brought Ellie to the point that, along with Jennifer’s other bird, Isabelle, she was able to pass specific university-created tests that check for cognitive skills. This gives Ellie a strong distinction of being one of the few animals who have learned to read and to respond appropriately.
The film also tells the tale of Jennifer, as she was raised in a cult. It explores the loving nature of the birds that helped her get past painful experiences and to move forward with momentum to help in the science of interspecies communications.
On the first day of screening at the festival, the 79-minute documentary was sold out. With interest in Ellie as a bird of unusual capability, the movie also wants to explore how we can communicate with animals. In essence, the need and the long trek to bridge that gap in communication can go a long way in helping us better understand the world around us.
When the opportunity arises to view the film, whether in theaters at the festival or through a streaming service, it offers a chance to gain deeper insight into Jennifer’s work and its potential impact.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Lafeber Company is proud to support “Parrot Kindergarten” in two meaningful ways — earning a Contributing Producer Credit and making a donation to its fiscal non-profit partner, Utah Film Center, to help cover essential filming equipment costs. We’re honored to contribute to this one-of-a-kind documentary.
I’ve been following Jennifer and her amazing journey with her birds for a very long time. I have taken some of her workshops and I can confirm that yes, birds CAN and WANT to communicate with us, we just have to learn how to listen!
My conure has told me his favorite color is purple, he likes hemp seeds and diced apples over all other treats, and he loves reggae music. We’ve started working on numbers. Learning has helped our relationship more than I can describe.
Love the article about Ellie and Jennifer her owner. So excited to see the development and unfold for those of us who have a bird or have had birds parrots, etc.. It is exciting to learn about them. Something we always suspected because our bird was the smartest. Reminds me of what happened with koko the gorilla and her story which has a first grade teacher the kids, and I followed everything we could get our hands on to tell us more about her and her little love affair with her kitty. Jennifer , your bird work will pay off when some teacher starts picking it up and sharing it with her students. May God speed that relationship. Good luck to you. and all your efforts with the bird world. Thank you for your devotion. Be blessed and enjoy.
As an avian enthusiast myself I’m very interested in viewing this documentary. How can I find viewings of it in my area?
Fascinating film. One of my favorites at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
I can hardly wait for the documentary to become accessible ! Jen, Ellie & Isabelle’s ongoing life lessons take us to incredible heights of possibilities and mystery!
Thank you!
I can’t wait to view this documentary. Having suffered with chronic pain for the last 45 years, I don’t know what I would have done without my animals. It prompted me to adopt special needs animals and abuse cases, several of which were parrots. I am also a wildlife rehabilitator for the state , and get many sad cases in to deal with. They have all brought nothing but a joy and empathy to my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Is there a schedule of when and where to view this documentary?
Thank you.
I follow all of your stories and videos on the three girls, the squirrels, the lizard, the bears tthe elephants.
Most often I tear up because it tells such a beautiful and real story. I have been fostering and owning parrots for 10 years and they are some of the most magical creatures! I cannot wait to watch this documentary! I have learned so much and eventually want to be a part of Parrot kindergarten.
I’m so happy that Jennifer’s dream has triumphed! Her videos with Ellie warm my heart, and sometimes can be sad too, when she is fearful or in pain. As a parrot parent for more than fifteen years, I can relate to the amazing companionship, love, and intelligence of these wonderful creatures. I can’t wait to see the documentary!
My companion Raven Rae an African Congo gray and I belonged to Parrot Kindergarten and we have a wonderful relationship full of communication, love and respect for each other. Raven loves to work with flash cards and read books. We play games and do things together like food prep (not in the kitchen when there are hot things) sharing meals and just being together having a snooze. I always know what he wants as he tells me. Sometimes he’s naughty and makes me laugh. He’s so perceptive to me that one day when my feet were particularly bad with an arthritic flair he asked me if my toesies were ok. Something we’d never talked about. I’ll never be able to thank Jen, Ellie and Isabel enough for opening the world of communication for us!