Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Video Calling with Griffin
While video calls can’t replace in-person time, Dr. Irene Pepperberg has found they help maintain her bond with Griffin and reduce the “cold wing” treatment when she returns home.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight May 2026: Saving Scarlet Macaws Across Guatemala & Honduras
A volunteer-led conservation effort in Guatemala is helping border communities protect scarlet macaws crossing from Honduras.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Rethinking Animal Consciousness
Dr. Irene Pepperberg explores how evolving research on animal cognition is reshaping scientific understanding of consciousness and self-awareness in nonhuman species.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight April 2026: DNA Sequencing Helps Solve Environmental Crime
Learn how cutting-edge DNA sequencing is helping scientists expose illegal parrot trafficking and protect endangered species in real time.
Vulture & Hawk Share Unlikely Bond
A turkey vulture and a red-tailed hawk defy expectations with a decade-long friendship built on shared injury and daily acts of care.
Dr. Pepperberg Update: From Stranded in Dubai to Home Again
Dr. Pepperberg gives us an update to her previous blog, sharing how a last-minute lifeline turned her Dubai ordeal into a flight home.
Move Over, Easter Bunny — Birds Do Eggs Best
Rabbits may get the Easter spotlight, but birds are the true egg artists.
Lost in las Vegas: A Toucan’s Unexpected Adventure
After months on the loose, Toucan Sam’s wild Las Vegas adventure finally comes to a safe and hopeful end.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight March 2026: Indonesia’s Moluccan Cockatoos
Indonesia’s Moluccan cockatoo faces threats from habitat loss and cultural practices but a pioneering feather-sharing initiative is helping protect both these iconic birds and the communities that cherish them.
As Missiles Fly In Dubai, Dr. Pepperberg Looks For A Way Home
Stranded in Dubai as regional conflict disrupts travel, Dr. Irene Pepperberg shares a candid dispatch from the field; reflecting on the realities of scientific travel and her simple wish to get home.
Lafeber’s Conservation Spotlight February 2026: Solidarity Campaign For Honduras’s Macaws
Lafeber’s Global Spotlight highlights a powerful partnership in La Moskitia, where indigenous communities and One Earth Conservation race to protect vulnerable macaw nests during breeding season.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Griffin Makes A Strategic Snack Move
When a African grey parrot Griffin tucks away a favorite snack for later, it sparks a surprisingly serious question about parrot’s ability to plan ahead.
A Rockin’ Feathered–Human Duo!
A rocky start between Frank and Amazon parrot Tico evolves into a viral, music-powered partnership that has captured hearts around the world.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Fundraising Powers The Work
Dr. Pepperberg reveals what daily life in her research lab really looks like—and the support that keeps it going.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight November 2025: Peru’s Taricaya EcoReserve
Meet the dedicated team at Peru’s Taricaya EcoReserve working to rehabilitate confiscated parrots and return them to the wild.
Webinar: Fun For The Holidays! Annual Pet Bird Holiday Gift Guide & Giveaway – Special Time 11AM PST
Get into the holiday spirit as Lisa Bono unwraps fun, safe bird toys, festive prizes, and gift ideas for you and your flock! Join us Friday, December 19th!
From Laughter To Lessons: Remembering Athena
In her heartfelt tribute, Dr. Irene Pepperberg remembers Athena, the extraordinary African grey whose brilliance (and cheeky nature!) leaves a lasting impact both inside and beyond her research lab.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight October 2025: Indonesia’s Abbotti Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos
On Indonesia’s Masakambing Island, the Abbotti cockatoo, a subspecies of the sulphur-crested (Cacatua sulphurea abbotti), is slowly rebounding through community-led conservation and protection efforts.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Parrots Get The Final Say On New Hires
In Dr. Pepperberg’s cognitive behavior research lab, landing the job isn’t just about your résumé; it’s about whether African greys Griffin and Athena think you’re a good fit.
The Other AI: Avian Intelligence
Dr. Pepperberg’s latest blo challenges the derogatory use of “stochastic parrot” in AI discourse and defends the intelligence of real parrots as worthy of respect.
Webinar: 200th Webinar Celebration!
Join us August 8th to celebrate our 200th webinar! Dr. Lamb will help lead the virtual party, along with other special guests. Another reason to join us? Guests will have a chance of scoring one of many giveaways!
From Darkness To Daylight: Boo The Cockatoo Sees Again
Blinded for years, Boo the 40-year-old cockatoo regained his sight through surgery and is now flying and thriving as a therapy bird.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight June 2025: The Parrots Of Paraguay
With support from Lafeber, ACPP is rescuing trafficked parrots, releasing macaws into the wild, and building national momentum for parrot conservation in Paraguay.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Parrot Emotions At The End Of The Semester
When familiar faces leave at semester’s end, Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s parrots feel the shift, reminding us how strongly birds respond to changes in routine and relationships.
Study: Wild Cockatoos Master Public Water Fountains
Sulphur-crested cockatoos in Sydney have learned to operate public drinking fountains, showcasing remarkable intelligence, adaptability, and social cooperation.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: A Juicy Parrot Study
Dr. Irene Pepperberg shares a lighthearted moment from her parrot research, when African grey Griffin’s juice choice leads to an “Aha!” realization that shows his cleverness.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight April 2025: The International Psittacine Congress
Lafeber spotlights the upcoming Virtual International Psittacine Congress, an accessible, global online event open to all who care about parrot conservation, happening June 12–14, 2025.
How Budgies Model Human Speech
In her latest blog, Dr. Pepperberg talks about a new study that reveals how the brains of budgerigars may hold clues to how we humans learn to speak.
Lafeber Supports UC Davis Raptor Program With $14K Donation
Lafeber has donated $14,000 to support veterinary student training in raptor medical and rehabilitative care at the California Raptor Center, helping to prepare the next generation of wildlife veterinarians.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight March 2025: Brazil’s Vinaceous-Breasted And The Turquoise-Fronted Amazons
Lafeber’s latest Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight highlights Brazil’s “To Fly Project,” helping rescued Amazon parrots regain survival skills and return to the wild.
Inside Dr. Peppberg’s Lab: Falcons Doing Puzzles? A Surprising Experience In Dubai
Dr. Pepperberg’s unexpected journey to Dubai has her exploring falcon intelligence and applying her work with parrots to test their problem-solving skills.
Webinar: Our 5th Anniversary And New Series! Parrots, Past, And Present: Starting Out In The 70s
To celebrate 5 years of offering FREE webinars, we’re launching a new webinar series with Lisa Bono, CPBC — Parrots, Past & Present: Starting Out in the 70s. Sign up and join us Friday, April 4th!
What’s Sparking New Interest In Interspecies Communication?
Dr. Pepperberg explores the resurgence of interspecies communication research—are we advancing or repeating past mistakes?
“Parrot Kindergarten” Documentary Explores Pet Birds And Avian Learning
A new documentary on pet birds, “Parrot Kindergarten,” highlights avian learning and human-animal bonds.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight January 2025: FlyFree Mobile Vet Unit Helping African Grey Parrots
This month’s Lafeber Parrot Conservation Spotlight sheds a light on the World Parrot Trust’s Mobile Vet Unit, which delivers vital care, training, and support across Africa to combat trafficking and safeguard endangered African grey parrots.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Reading To Parrots
Inspired by her student who decided to see what happened when reading to parrots, Dr. Irene Pepperberg explores how reading might stimulate cognition and shares the surprising preferences of African greys Griffin and Athena.
Dr. Irene Pepperberg Reflects On Chris Davis’ Legacy
Dr. Irene Pepperberg reflects on her friend and colleague Chris Davis, highlighting Chris’ pioneering contributions to avian care and their shared efforts to reshape how parrots are understood and treated.
Lafeber’s Global Conservation Spotlight December 2024: Saving Peru’s Starving Scarlet Macaw Chicks
Lafeber’s December Conservation Spotlight supports the Macaw Society and its foster chick program in Peru. Learn how researchers at Texas A&M’s Schubot Center for Avian Health discovered how scarlet macaw chick size and hatch date affected their level of parental care.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight November 2024: The Parrots And Cockatoos of Indonesia
This month’s Lafeber Global Spotlight highlights the Indonesian Parrot Project’s inspiring mission to rescue endangered parrots and support local communities.
Webinar: Fun For The Holidays! Annual Pet Bird Holiday Gift Guide And Giveaway – Special Time 11AM PST
Don’t miss our annual festive holiday webinar with parrot expert Lisa Bono. Get the lowdown on the latest bird-safe toys, accessories, parrot-themed goodies, and more! Plus, you have a chance to win one of these must-have bird products—we’re giving them away! Join us December 20th!
Lafeber’s Parrot Conservation Spotlight October 2024: Nicaragua’s Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrots
This month’s Lafeber Global Conservation Spotlight takes us to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, where One Earth Conservation is working to protect endangered yellow-naped Amazon parrots through community-led conservation efforts.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Lateralization In Parrots
In this latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg explores how handedness (lateralization) in parrots, specifically Goffin cockatoos, affects their problem-solving abilities and cognitive behavior.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight September 2024: Brazil’s Hyacinth Macaws
Lafeber’s recent Global Conservation Spotlight highlights the Instituto Arara Azul’s efforts to restore habitats and protect breeding populations of Brazil’s hyacinth macaws, which have faced set backs due to recent fires.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight August 2024: Golden Conures In Brazil
This Month’s Lafeber Conservation Spotlight highlights the efforts to save the endangered Golden Conure through breeding and reintroduction programs that are revitalizing both the species and the Amazon ecosystem.
Avoid This Deadly Mistake: Hydrating Your Bird Safely
Hydrating your bird safely is important, because their trachea is in their mouth and opens and closes differently than you might expect, so never drop water into a bird’s mouth or you risk aspiration, even with one drop.
Lafeber’s Parrot Conservation Spotlight July 2024: Climate Change Impact On Parrots & Forests In Tambopata, Peru
This month’s Lafeber Parrot Conservation Spotlight explores how climate change affects parrots in Tambopata, Peru. Learn how The Macaw Society’s research reveals impacts on breeding success and its efforts to help macaws and other vulnerable parrot species.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Parrot Speech Is Not Just Mimicry
Ever wondered if parrots really understand what they’re saying? Dr. Irene Pepperberg takes us back to her studies with African grey parrot Alex and his ability to use appropriate labels in appropriate contexts, as well as Griffin and Athena’s amusing ways of expressing their opinions.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight June 2024: One Earth Conservation’s Unique Parrot Conservation Corps
Lafeber’s latest Parrot Conservation Spotlight sheds a light on how One Earth Conservation (OEC) engages local communities in safeguarding endangered parrot species through its Parrot Conservation Corps. Find out how you can be a part of its biodiversity conservation efforts!
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: The Parrot Singalong And Speech Project
Dr. Irene Pepperberg isn’t usually a fan of “citizen science” based studies. One study, however, gets her endorsement, and it’s based on parrot vocalizations!
Birds And Memory: Study Shows Birds Recall Specifics Too!
New study shows that Eurasian jays exhibit human-like memory, recalling intricate details, shedding light on avian cognition and episodic memory understanding.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Griffin’s Tantrum Forces A “Less Is More” Approach
Dr. Irene Pepperberg shares the subtle and not-so-subtle ways African grey parrots Griffin and Athena show their disapproval of her for being gone for too long due to travel and a busier-than-normal schedule.
Lafeber’s May 2024 Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: New Parrot DNA Database To Track Illegal Trading
This Lafeber Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight highlights the work of Dr. George Olah of the Australian National University who is pioneering a new DNA database to combat the illegal parrot trade.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Griffin “Games” The System!
Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s latest blog explores how African grey parrot Griffin cleverly maximized his rewards, prompting a reevaluation of experimental methods in behavioral research.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight April 2024: Costa Rica’s Yellow-Naped Amazons
This month’s Lafeber Global Spotlight takes us to Costa Rica, where SINAC leads conservation efforts to save the critically endangered yellow-naped Amazon parrot.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight March 2024: The Lear’s Macaws Of Paradise Park
Lafeber’s latest Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight takes us to Paradise Park, a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall, UK, that has recently become a refuge for a group of endangered Lear’s macaws. Learn more about Paradise Park’s conservation efforts that offer hope for the endangered Lear’s macaw.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Being Sensitive To The World As Your Bird Sees It
In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg shares a fascinating finding from her cognitive behavior research lab, where African grey parrot, Griffin, suddenly struggled with a once-mastered task. After months of testing and frustration, the team discovered the surprising culprit behind Griffin’s diminished performance. Dive into this lesson on the importance of considering our pets’ unique perspectives.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Technology And Companion Animals
In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg explores the delicate question: What technologies help animals thrive versus the benefits to us and our ability to control them? For example, from the animals’ perspective, do piped-in soundtracks at zoo habitats make the animals feel at home, or are they played to enhance the experience for zoo visitors? Should you leave the radio or TV on when you leave home so your bird doesn’t feel alone? Read on for Dr. Pepperberg’s overview of the tech effect on animals.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight December 2023: The Parrot Release Network
This month’s Lafeber Global Conservation Spotlight focuses on two organizations united to crack sustainable solutions for returning confiscated parrots back into the wild. Learn how the new Parrot Release Network aims to refine releasing protocols through rigorous global collaboration.
Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight November 2023: The Blue Lorikeet Of The Cook Islands
This month’s Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight takes us to the Cook Islands, where Conservationist Luis Ortiz-Catedral recently conducted field research on the vulnerable Kurāmo’o lorikeet, also referred to as the blue lorikeet, on the tropical Cook Islands paradise of Aitutaki. This royal-blue parrot faces critical threats from invasive predators and devastating cyclones in the South Pacific. Now a coalition of conservation groups aims to study numbers and protect nests to aid in the blue lorikeet’s survival. Discover how research and community stewardship offer hope for vulnerable Pacific parrots like the blue lorikeet.
Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: How Grey Parrots Produce Human Speech
Journey inside the avian vocal tract as Dr. Irene Pepperberg explains how African grey parrots miraculously produce human speech.
