With a parrot you have a pet companion with the intelligence — and the mischievousness — of a young child, which can make for an interesting family dynamic. Here’s lighthearted look at the ways our feathered friends can rule our own roosts.

Just about every week of every month has a special day of recognition for a specific group, cause or theme — the topics of which range from serious to silly; here are some interesting lesser-known National Designation Days that seem especially apropos for pet bird enthusiasts.

Bigger birds aren’t the only ones talking. In fact, some of the smaller parrots are capable of mimicking human speech and can even amass impressive vocabularies. Here’s a look at some of the tiny talkers of the pet bird world.

If you’re a to-do list person or one who needs a little reminding every now and then, you’re in luck! We’ve put together a month-by-month list of suggestions —and gentle nudges — to help you help your pet bird in the year ahead.

Here are five reasons why you should consider the adoption option if you are thinking about welcoming a feathered friend into your heart and home.

Did you know that Scandinavians countries celebrate Christmas with an offering of food for the wild birds? Or the reason why the cardinal is incorporated into so many holiday motifs? Check out this special look at birds’ unique connections to the holidays.

Conures are popular pet companions for good reason — these parrots are full of spunk with colorful personalities and a wide range of colors and sizes.

Cockatiels can be every bit a parrot as their larger counterparts — friendly and outgoing to snugly and gentle — no wonder these little feathered companions are America’s Top Bird. But ever stop to think if your cockatiel is normal?

Don’t let life with you be a bore for your feathered companion. Use these tips to bring joy to your bird’s day!

The story of Nigel, the African grey parrot that returned home speaking Spanish, is a good example of how a microchip can facilitate a happy reunion for lost pet.

We all need friends. And life is even better if a few of your friends have some of the same interests as you. Better yet is knowing others who share in your love and appreciation of birds. Check out these five types of friends you might buddy up with as you navigate life with a feathered companion.

In addition to tried-and-true cage maintenance products, there are additional ways to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your feather companion. With some simple pre-planning and regular maintenance, you’ll be able to put your feet up and enjoy more one-on-one time with your bird.

Here’s a fun look at some of the advantages bird companions have to canine companions and vice versa.

Here are three things you can do for your feathered companion to improve his health and well being, as well as add some summer-inspired fun to his day.

Female birds tend to fly under the radar, so to speak, when compared to their flashier male counterparts. In many bird species, including parrots, the males have the more eye-catching colors. It’s time, however, to give our feathered girls time in the spotlight.

Parrots can be categorized according to Old World psittacines and New World psittacines. Do you know if your parrots are “Team Old World” or “Team New World”?

Here’s an annual event that bird lovers can help celebrate — Earth Day, which takes place on April 22 each year. In honor of Earth Day, here are seven ways bird lovers can make a difference in our own neighborhoods and abroad.

There are many pet birds that only eat one or two types of foods, but that’s because they haven’t been offered much else or the foods offered don’t appeal to them. Here are four ways we can sabotage our birds’ appetites and how to avoid them.

Nursery-rhyme books and others that cater to a young audience also make great reading material for parrots — these books are designed to be read out loud and with extreme silliness. Dr. Seuss books certainly fit the bill!

No other companion pet has a name quite as endearing as a lovebird. The lovebird’s genus, Agapornis, is the words “love” and “bird” joined together — agape is Greek for “love” and ornis is Greek for “bird.”

Does covering the cage or running toward your bird to tell him/her to quiet down … or screaming back … sound familiar? If you find yourself in need of a little quiet time and your parrot is simply not getting it, here are tips and tricks to stop the screech.

A new year is upon us and with that comes another set of New Year’s resolutions (or a re-do of last year’s!) While there’s plenty you can do for your pet bird to make the new year great, here are three things you can do for yourself that will also reap benefits for your pet bird.

Find out the real reasons why budgies and cockatiels can make wonderful pets for children, as well as all the wrong reasons for bringing a small bird into your home.

It’s easy to assume that birds must like other birds. But before you buddy up two birds consider that fact that many avian veterinarians treat bird patients that were injured by other bird housemates.

Spending more time with your bird and serving a healthy breakfast are just two ways to start your bird’s day off right.

Pet parrots can be prime targets of pet theft because of their perceived monetary value. Here are some steps pet bird owners can take to “theft-proof” their beloved companions:

But before you fire up your backyard grill or unroll the pool or spa cover, take a moment to see what steps you need to make to ensure your bird’s safety and well-being all summer long.

Use these five fun suggestions to create Pampered Parrot Days that are all about your feathered friends. They deserve to be treated as VIPs, too!

Cage safety starts with not just what you put in your bird’s cage, but what you don’t leave behind.

Chirps, warbles, whistles, squawks, cheeps, and more are noises and sounds pet cockatiels make. Find out what your cockatiel is trying to say.

Almost all parrots are non-migratory birds, that is, they do not fly to a different climate during specific times of the year. There are two parrot species, however, that do migrate in the truest sense of the word — the swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) and the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster).

From using newspaper as cage liner, cardboard as chew toys, to wadded-up paper to hide foraging treats, we bird owners can be quite creative in our thriftiness. Here are a few other items that can get a second life before going into the recycle bin.

I had the pleasure of working with many avian experts throughout my years as editor of Bird Talk magazine, but none was quite like avian behavioral consultant Liz Wilson.

The bird community lost a special member when long-time parrot advocate and well-respected author Liz Wilson, CVT, passed away on April 13, 2013. Liz was the voice behind the popular parrot behavior column “Parrot Psychology,” which ran in Bird Talk magazine for many years and, up until her passing, was a monthly feature on LafeberCares.com.

To many pet bird owners, yesterday’s news is today’s cage liner. In addition to the long-held practice of lining the bottom of the birdcage with newspaper, here are four other ways to get the most bang out of your newspaper subscription buck.

While most responsible pet bird owners strive to make their birds feel part of the family and offer them plenty of one-on-one time whenever feasible, there are times when your bird should perch elsewhere.

Here is a look at furniture types that might be vulnerable to the feathered kind, and what you can do about it.

Can you imagine a parrot perched in the White House? It’s probably happened at some point during our country’s history; after all, some of our past presidents had parrot companions during their presidencies. Here is a list of presidents who really did have parrots during their White House days.

Why put off to tomorrow what you should do today … especially if it can be a lifesaver for your pet bird? Here are five choices to make now to better your bird’s health.

A better cage, new toys or perches, healthier foods and treats — what is your New Year’s resolution regarding your bird?

The holidays can bring added dangers to a bird’s typically safe life. Being aware of these dangers can prevent accidents and tragedies, and a trip to your emergency avian veterinarian.

Dr. Gregory Rich’s clinic was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005. He shares his experience, plus what pet bird owners need to do in a hurricane’s aftermath.