Laura Doering
Articles by Laura:
Serving Up Fresh H2O: Water Wisdom for Bird Owners
Do you know if your feathered friend is getting enough clean, fresh water every day? Unlike dogs, birds sip water subtly throughout the day, so it’s easy to miss their intake. In this article, learn simple tips to keep your bird’s water supply contaminant-free and entice them to stay hydrated. We’ll cover optimal dish placement, frequency of changes, bath time drinking, and more ways to serve up healthy H2O for your bird.
May 4th is Bird Day!
May 4 is “Bird Day” and is credited as being the oldest avian holiday. Let it be a reminder to take a moment to be in awe and appreciative of the birds around us, and learn of ways to help our local wild bird populations.
Celebrate These Lesser-Known March Holidays With Your Bird
The month of March has some interesting lesser-known National Designation Days that seem especially apropos for pet bird enthusiasts. See what lesser-known holidays you can celebrate with your feathered companion this month!
Adopting A Pet Bird Might Be Your Best Match
January is Adopt a Rescue Bird Month… although “re-homed bird” might be a better term, as not all birds in a need of a new home were in need of rescuing! There are many companion birds who need (and deserve!) a new start in life. Sadly, there are far too many pet birds relinquished to […]
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Comparing Contrafreeloading in Kea & Grey Parrots
In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg tells us about a study in which African greys Griffin and Athena, along with a few companion greys, were tested to see if they would work for food just for the fun of it. The study centered on the concept of “contrafreeloading” and involves working for food that could simultaneously be obtained for free. Interestingly, the same experiment was done with wild Kea parrots. See the different outcomes, as well as what parrot species is next in line to be put to the contrafreeloading test.
Spooky Birds You Have to See to Believe
Halloween is just around the corner, so let’s scare up some fun with a look at birds whose spooky style can be downright scary.
Webinar: The Grey Way—Food Can Be Fun!
In this free webinar episode of The Grey Way—Food Can Be Fun, Lisa Bono, CPBC, will give her tips and tricks to get your bird to eat healthy foods! Sign up and tune in Friday, October 14, 2022!
Webinar: Ask The Vet: Q&A With Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)
Don’t miss your chance to ask Dr. Tully a question about your bird’s health, nutrition, care, or behavior problem in this interactive webinar on September 30.
Summer Heat & Our Birds
Summer—that sizzling time of the year when we try to stay hydrated and perhaps indulge in water-dense foods like watermelon and other juicy fruits. When exposed to the summer heat, we might break out in a sweat and seek shade to cool our bodies down. What about our feathered friends…how do they stay cool? Here are some interesting facts about birds and heat, and tips for helping our feathered companions stay comfortable all summer long.
Male Or Female? Your Bird’s Gender Goes Beyond Naming
Do you know your bird’s sex? Unlike cats and dogs, many popular parrot companions can be surprisingly hard to tell the difference between males and females by looking at them. Find out why knowing your bird’s sex can positively affect its health and well-being, and help you better understand your bird’s behaviors.
Webinar: The Grey Way: Fun for the Holidays! Pet Bird Holiday Gift Guide
In this fun holiday webinar, Lisa Bono will showcase holiday-themed, custom-made toys for your pet birds! There will also be giveaways of toys and Lafeber products for some lucky viewers. Sign-up and tune in on December 10 for your chance to win!
Webinar: Avian Vet Insider: The Familiar & The Rare—Bird Species Avian Vets Have Treated
In this episode of our Vet Insider webinar with Dr. Lamb, we’ll learn about the top 5 bird species she treats most often, and the top 5 rarest bird species she has treated. Find out what species are treated day-to-day, and how treating a rare species might be different. Sign up and tune in on November 12! [Note special time: 11:00 a.m.]
Webinar: Ask The Vet: Q&A with Tom Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DECZM (Avian)
Don’t miss your chance to ask Dr. Tully a question about your bird’s health, nutrition, care, or behavior problem in this interactive webinar on November 19.
New Year, New Resolutions for You & Your Bird!
A new year is upon us, and with that comes new motivations for the 12 months ahead. We can use this time to think of ways we can make our lives and the lives of our feathered friends more enriched, less stressful, and healthier.
Birds in the News: Parrot Feather Color Research Reveals Fascinating Finds & More
Add “birds” to your Google News alert topics–or simply search the word “bird” or “parrot” in Google to see what’s going on in the world of birds. Here are some recent “birds in the news” stories worth checking out.
Get Work Done: Tips To Keep Your Bird Happily Distracted
As we hunker down at home to do our part in stopping the spread of the coronavirus, many of us might find ourselves in a conundrum: how exactly to get work done when our birds and other pets beckon nearby?
Fun Things To Do With Your Bird At Home
To keep safe during the coronavirus pandemic, many of us face spending most of our time at home. But being stuck indoors can seem less burdensome if we look for a silver lining each day—one being the opportunity to have fun with the flock!
Lories & Lorikeets: Bold & Beautiful
Lories and lorikeets are beauties from the family Loriinae that boast some of the brightest plumage among parrots. Their personalities are also colorful, and their unique diet gives them plenty of energy to fuel their always on-the-go tendencies. Learn what else sets these vibrantly colored parrots apart.
Meet The Kakapo, The Lovable, Rotund Parrot With Peculiar Ways
How far would you travel for love? If you were a male kakapo parrot, you’d walk the equivalent of a 5K, as in over three miles (and that’s not counting the walk back)! A lovesick male kakapo parrot embarks on his long stroll each night during breeding season as he tries to beat out the competition for a female’s attention. Learn more about this adorable, rotund parrot with peculiar ways.
New To Conures? Answers to Common Conure Questions
Are conures parrots? Do they talk? What size cage do they need? What food provides the best nutrition? Find the answer to these and other common questions about conures.
Four Parrot Behaviors That Might Baffle New Owners
Not only can parrots fly and have the ability to mimic human speech and sounds, but they are also capable of some seemingly perplexing behaviors that don’t fit the typical dog or cat pet mold. Here are four parrot behaviors that bird stewards are likely to encounter that might seem baffling at first.
Meet the Kea: New Zealand’s Naughty Alpine Parrot
Let’s talk about a parrot that might be scary to some people—one that can be carnivorous, resides where no other parrot dare ventures and, for fun, seems to enjoy wreaking havoc on the tourists who visit.
Birds In The News
Consider adding “birds” to your Google News alert topics. Doing so might just lead you to some fascinating finds. Here are some recent “birds in the news” stories worth checking out.
Celebrate Your Bird April 11
April 11 is National Pet Day — a day to shower your pet with some extra love!
Cockatiels Are Cockatoos, Too
You might have a cockatoo in your home without even knowing it! Yes, your diminutive cockatiel—the most popular pet bird in the US—is, in fact, related to the much larger cockatoos. When you take a closer look at the cockatiel, you’ll start to see the cockatoo connection.
It’s Cold Outside! Tips to Keep Your Bird Safe & Warm
The Midwest is experiencing a rare “polar vortex” and the coldest weather in decades, which makes staying warm indoors is a must. Here are some tips to ensure that everyone, including our feathered family members, are safe and comfortable at home during this cold snap.
Female Budgies Prefer Puzzle-Solving Males & Other Bird-Centric News Stories
In this bird-centric news roundup, see the tricky way researchers got female budgies to ditch their preferred mates to those trained to solve puzzles, as well as learn as well as who packs a more powerful bite—T-Rex or finch? Also see how the engineering marvels of a birds’ feathers might one day inspire better adhesives and aerospace materials, and meet Alex the honking cockatiel, the viral sensation that saw his fame inexplicably explode across the internet.
New Research: Secret to Parrot Intelligence? It’s In Their Genes
Check out what scientists are learning about parrot genes, as well as research on laughter being contagious among parrots, how parrots’ feathers evolved to be to so shiny and how some birds of prey are battling drones in their airspace in this look at this birds in the news compilation.
A Fun Look At “Spooktacular Parrots” This Halloween
It’s that spooky time of the year! Some parrot species seem to especially mesh with a Halloween theme. Here is a lighthearted look at parrot species that bring “trick or treat” up a notch.
Foraging For Food Satisfies Parrots’ Appetites & Minds
Giving your feathered friend food is essential, but the way that you provide it matters, too! Will parrots work for their food? You would be surprised!
Birds’ Amazing Physical Powers
If you’re a bird lover, you’ll especially find these bird-focused articles worth a read, as they showcase more bird superpowers!
Did Avocado Fumes Cause Bird’s Death?
As a healthy food for people, avocado is more popular than ever, and along with that comes an abundance of avocado recipes. Unfortunately, a recent bird death brings up the question, “Could fumes from frying an avocado be dangerous to pet birds?”
Healthy Habits We Can Learn From Our Birds
Looking for some healthy habits to try in the year ahead? Good news! Chances are you have your very own health coach living with you right now — look no further than your feathered friend!
Newsworthy Bird Stories
Do a Google news search with the key words “parrot” or “bird.” You might be treated to some fascinating and downright entertaining bird stories — perfect topics to read aloud to your pet bird!
Back-To-School Shopping For Your Pet Bird
End of summer means school is back in session; a time when stores are full of school essentials. See how some basic school supplies can help up your game when it comes to caring for your pet bird.
Four Things You Should Never Do In Front Of Your Pet Bird
Four things you should never do in front of your bird (and one thing you should do!) to promote the health and happiness of your feathered pal.
Fictitious Birds Should Eat Healthy Too
The Minecraft video game had a parrot problem — the parrot characters were fed chocolate chip cookies! See which movie parrots were also fed no-no foods.
Birds That Deceive To Get Ahead
The first day of April is notable mostly because that is the day of the year where pranks and deception rule the day. With that theme in mind, there are plenty of instances in nature where animals have evolved to be deceptive as a survival tactic. Here’s a look at bird species that use trickery to get ahead.
Birds for St. Patrick’s Day
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17 each year, here’s a look at one popular bird in Ireland – the Northern lapwing ‑ as well as some parrots whose plumage will make us all green with envy.
More Birds With Dr. Seuss-Like Looks
For the most part, Dr. Seuss’s birds look familiar, but their feathers and shapes are best described as otherworldly. We’ve previously shared some real-life birds that look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss book, here are some more fantastical Dr. Seuss-like birds to check out.
Vampire Finches & Ghost Birds
October is the spooky time of the year, so it is befitting to learn about two peculiar topics related to the world of birds: vampire finches and ghost birds. Yes, there is a finch that drinks blood, but humans need not run. And what is a ghost bird … curious?
Finches Talk To Their Eggs & Other Fascinating Bird News
Check out these intriguing bird-centric stories, which range from parrots playing video games to zebra finches telling their eggs when to hatch to how the males of a bird species called the southern pied babble favor their own biological male chicks over their “stepchicks.”
A Safe & Sane Fourth of July For Your Bird
If your bird startles at the sound of a slammed door, car alarm or other loud, unexpected noise, the Fourth of July might not be the easiest holiday for your feathered friend to handle. Here are some preemptive steps to take to help your bird remain stress-free around Independence Day.
Pet Parrots & Ground Foraging
Parrots in the wild spend good part of the day on foot looking for items to munch. And so it stands to reason that the parrots in our homes might also enjoy walking on their own two feet to see what they can find. Here are some tips for creating a bottom play and foraging area for your pet bird.
Transform Your Bird’s Cage From Drab to Fab
Dog and cat owners have to deal with shed fur. For pet-bird owners, it’s the challenge of cage fallout — namely food, toys and shed feathers.
Real Birds That Look Like A Dr. Seuss Character
Dr. Seuss’s books are filled with an assortment of animal characters — including birds — drawn in a distinct Seuss style. Here are some spectacular real-life bird species that look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss book!
Be Your Bird’s “Wingman”
Are you good at providing support when your bird is around other people, be it visitors to the home or even among household members who might not have as strong a bond with your bird? Here are five signs of a good wingman as it pertains to the feathered kind.
“Healthy” Foods Your Bird Should Stop Eating Today
Many of the foods we think are healthy aren’t 100% so. In fact, some start to creep into to the unhealthy category if we overindulge. When we offer some of these seemingly healthy foods to our birds we might be serving our feathered companions a potential overload of sugar, sodium and other unhealthy ingredients.
Tech Gadgets for Pet Bird Owners
Did you get one of the top-selling tech holiday gifts this season? Big box retailer Best Buy did a consumer survey of the most sought-after tech gadgets, which range from iPads to GoPros. Following is a sampling of top gadgets that might prove especially helpful to pet bird enthusiasts and why.
How Smart Are Parrots? They Use Tools Too!
Research on Vasa parrots from the University of York and University of St. Andrews that point to the first documentation of nonhuman use of tools for grinding, and one of only a few reports of nonhuman animals sharing tools directly. See the Vasa parrots’ tool of choice to grind calcium powder from shells.
Budgies, Cockatiels & Lovebirds Are Parrots Too!
Here’s a look at some common small bird myths and facts.
Why Parrots Can Talk
From budgerigars to African Greys to macaws, nine parrot species in a university study reveal why certain bird species are better at imitating sounds than other birds. Hint: It’s got a lot to do with the structure of the brain.
A Longer Life For Your Pet Bird
Three simple steps help you to help your bird enjoy a longer, healthier life with you.
See What Sets Bird Hospitals Apart
Susan Horton, DVM, takes us on a tour of her labor of love — the recently opened Chicago Exotics Hospital.
5 Ways You Freak Your Pet Bird Out
If you don’t understand the instincts, needs, and anatomy of your parrot friend, problems can quickly arise. Interrupting your bird’s snooze time or switching food abruptly are just two ways you can ruin your bird’s day. Learn what not to do so both you and your bird live harmoniously.
10 Things Bird Owners Do That Others Find Baffling
Life with a feathered companion calls for doing things a bit differently, which non-bird people might find baffling. Here are 10 Things Bird Owners Do That Others Will Never Understand.
Blast From The Past Pet Bird Products
From colorful assortments of toys and playgyms to healthy diets and treats, there are plenty of bird-centric offerings to choose from to meet your bird’s many needs. Here’s a fun look at “off the beaten path” bird products from years bygone.
Spring Cleaning Tips For Bird Owners
Check out these easy “Spring Clean” tips and tricks every pet bird enthusiast should try.
Types of Parrot Play
Every bird has a play personality — from explorer to destroyer, and many more. Knowing your bird’s style of play can help you zero in on the types of toys and interactions your bird enjoys most.
Pet Bird Home Hazards
Looking for a reason to update some of your home furnishings? Here are a few suggestions for swapping out potentially dangerous household furnishings with more bird-friendly designs.