Meet Phat Chicken, A Scarlet Macaw About Town
Phat Chicken, a scarlet macaw, went from Maine pet-store mascot to Kentucky sensation, charming crowds around town.
Phat Chicken, a scarlet macaw, went from Maine pet-store mascot to Kentucky sensation, charming crowds around town.
Dr. Pepperberg explores the resurgence of interspecies communication research—are we advancing or repeating past mistakes?
A new documentary on pet birds, “Parrot Kindergarten,” highlights avian learning and human-animal bonds.
Parrots, like humans, may imitate their peers even when it serves no clear purpose.
Discover essential tips for parrot-proofing your home, from securing windows and doors to creating safe flight zones, ensuring your free-flying parrot stays safe and healthy indoors.
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.
Discover the incredible journey of NYC’s famous owl, Flaco, in “Finding Flaco,” a stunning new book chronicling his daring escape, wild adventures, and lasting legacy.
A rare, intact 80-million-year-old bird fossil from Brazil reveals groundbreaking insights into avian brain evolution, bridging a 70-million-year knowledge gap in bird history.
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.
Witness the breathtaking beauty of starling murmurations, where thousands of birds move in perfect sync, creating stunning sky art and showcasing nature’s survival brilliance.
Some birds, like the bar-tailed godwit and common swift, achieve extraordinary feats of endurance during migration, flying thousands of miles non-stop or staying airborne for months, offering insights into their remarkable adaptations and responses to changing climates.
A recent study reveals the surprising scientific secret behind parrots’ vibrant colors and how one unique process shapes their brilliant feathers.
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.
It’s that spooky time of the year! Explore the eerie world of toxic birds, from the poisonous Hooded Pitohui to the quirky Northern Fulmar, as they reveal some of nature’s spookiest survival strategies.
In this latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg explores how handedness (lateralization) in parrots, specifically Goffin cockatoos, affects their problem-solving abilities and cognitive behavior.
Join us for a free webinar where Dr. Stephanie Lamb will discuss the challenges of caring for endangered California Condors, including the impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2023, and share an uplifting story about one special bird. Sign up and tune in November 1st!
Lisa Bono, CPBC, will share her experiences and preparedness strategies during Hurricane Helene, detailing how she protected her flock before, during, and after the disaster in an insightful webinar. Join us on Friday, November 15th!
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.
An exciting discovery of a new colony Night Parrots gives hope to the survival of this ultra-rare and mysterious parrot found only in the arid parts of Australia and who comes out only at night. Once thought to be extinct, this previously unknown colony of 50 Night Parrots is a significant find.
Parrots often hide signs of pain due to their natural instincts, making it crucial for owners to recognize subtle changes in behavior, posture, and routine to ensure their feathered companions stay healthy and pain-free.
Don’t miss our October 11th webinar with Pamela Clark, an expert in parrot behavior, as she helps pet bird owners understand and resolve common “problem behaviors” like biting and screaming, in Episode 10 of the Translating Parrot series.
In a stunning display of survival, 700 Emperor Penguin fledglings were captured on film leaping 50 feet off a cliff into the sea, a behavior driven by shrinking ice and the species’ fight against extinction.
A new study by Fordham University uses wildlife rehabilitation data to reveal that many birds initially surviving building collisions may later succumb to their injuries, highlighting the need for improved conservation strategies.
Uncover the mystery of starling migration with a new study revealing that their paths are instinctual, not learned—challenging what we thought we knew about avian navigation.
In this episode of “The Grey Way” webinar series, Lisa shares tips on how to make the holiday season special for you and your birds, ensuring they stay happy and secure during this festive time. Sign up and tune in on September 20th!
In 2017, a couple in Arroyo Grande, California, set up an owl box, and after seven years of waiting, a pair of barn owls finally moved in, beginning a captivating journey captured through live camera feeds.
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.
Is your parrot left-footed or right-footed? In honor of International Left-Handers Day, let’s explore the fascinating world of foot preferences in parrots and other animals.
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.
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.
Twycross Zoo in England unites a rare pair of red-fronted macaws, hoping they will bond and mate to help save their critically endangered species.
Bird lovers, prepare to be captivated by JMBricklayer’s latest creation: The Mechanical Parrot. This set, with its 688 vibrant bricks, goes beyond ordinary builds with mechanics that animate the wings, tail, and foot joints. Half of the parrot showcases a natural design, while the other half reveals a mechanized side.
Join us for a free, fun, and interactive webinar with Lisa Bono, CPBC, on Friday, August 16th! Learn how to prepare your feathered family members for a big move with her helpful, first-hand experience tips.
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 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!
Crows can count! A fascinating study at the University of Tubingen shows that carrion crows count out loud, much like toddlers do.
A fascinating study by researchers in NYU Applied Mathematics Laboratory sheds light on how birds master flock flight coordination through synchronized patterns to avoid collision.
Brown Pelicans are mysteriously turning up malnourished and injured on California coastlines. SeeRescuers are treating them at facilities and investigating the cause.
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.
Join us for our webinar on June 7th when our special guest Pamela Clark, IAABC CPBC & retired CVT, will answer questions about parrot behavior issues and provide practical advice on understanding and improving your parrot’s behavior and wellness.
Learn how to maximize your bird’s space for enrichment opportunities in this episode of the Grey Way webinar series with special guest Lisa Bono, a certified parrot behavior consultant. Sign up and tune in June 21st!
Discover the fascinating world of “anting,” where over 200 bird species engage in a natural spa-like ritual using ants. Birds apply ants to their feathers to utilize formic acid, a natural chemical that combats feather-destroying parasites.
Meet Wisdom, a 72-year-old albatross on a quest for love at Midway Atoll, surpassing life expectations with a 3.5 million-mile flight record.
Bird watching offers many avenues to deepen appreciation, from nature hikes to clubs, and Bird Buddy adds a tech-friendly option by integrating a camera with a feeder for observing, recording, and streaming bird activities on smartphones.
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.
For the past decade, a red-tailed Hawk named Rochelle has captivated the hearts of Texas Department of Transportation employees with her annual nesting ritual on a highway camera pole.
Study shows that birds likely dream during REM sleep, exhibiting brain activity linked to visual processing, emotion, and flight, shedding light on avian sleep patterns.
Learn how to prepare your parrot for a stress-free move with expert insights from certified parrot behavior consultant Lisa Bono. Stay tune for updated date!
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.
You might be surprised to learn that birds are sun worshippers too! But their sunbathing rituals are more than just leisurely lounging. Recent studies have uncovered fascinating secrets behind this peculiar behavior exhibited by over 50 bird families.
Lisa Bono gives us an exclusive look at the Phoenix Landing Wellness Retreat. Discover expert insights on bird nutrition, behavior, health, and enrichment to elevate your bird care skills and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Don’t miss out, sign up today and tune in April 26th!
When people all but vanished from cities during Covid-19 lockdowns, how did urban birds react to this human-free environment? Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebel Normal University used acoustic recorders to monitor the behavior of birds in the deserted streets and parks of Tel Aviv. The results might surprise you. See which birds decreased their activities when parks were empty and which flocked to this altered urban landscape.
After living free in New York City’s Central Park for more than a year after escaping the zoo, celebrity owl Flaco suffered fatal injuries after flying into a window, and his fans mourn his loss.
In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg reflects on the upcoming play “Beyond Words,” which dramatizes her remarkable 30-year research relationship with Alex, the infamous African grey parrot who took the world of animal behavior research by storm. Dr. Pepperberg shares how, despite collaborating on early drafts, witnessing such intimate bonds fictionalized before audiences holds surreal emotional weight. As actors emulate private breakthrough moments in her and Alex’s time working together, she talks about feelings of profound vulnerability, yet revels in Alex’s captivating global recognition through art’s lens.
Last February, a Eurasian Eagle Owl named Flaco escaped from his Central Park Zoo enclosure. Though the zoo tried recapturing the apex predator, Flaco thrived after adapting to life freely roaming Central Park. Dubbed a local celebrity, he has flourished in 2023 venturing through the park and at times into Manhattan neighborhoods. Despite initial worries, Flaco demonstrated resilience making New York City his enduring home this past year since his dramatic escape. See how Flaco’s celebrity continues to grow, including having his likeness adorning city artwork, t-shirts, and more.
Chicago’s rippling Aqua Tower’s pioneering bird-safe design steers migratory birds to safety through angled geometry and etched glass barriers. See how new designs aim to transform urban architecture to help guide birds away from window collisions.
This month’s Lafeber Global Spotlight takes us to the village of Karasabai in Guyana, which is the only place wild sun conures (Aratinga solstitialis) can be studied in their natural habitat. Local rangers, with support through One Earth Conservation, are braving towering heights to study these raucous parakeets to document behaviors that can help shape conservation efforts for these eye-catching birds.
Looking to put your Lego building skills to the test? Better yet, what if it involved a parrot? Lego’s latest offering is a showy, life-size wall model of a perching yellow or in-flight pink macaw build kit. Beyond kitschy decor, these colorful centerpieces assembled meticulously by you make great conversation starters about our fine feathered friends for visitors or as a colorful display at the entrance of your bird room.
Join us February 9, when Dr. Lamb kicks start her new Lafeber webinar series: Species Spotlight! This first episode sheds a spotlight on the Patagonian conure, the largest of all conures, and a species she had the opportunity to see in the wild!
As science continues to evolve, we are learning more and more about the brain’s amazing capabilities. One area of particular interest is how the brain allows animals to learn and communicate. In a recent study, Zhilei Zhao, a Klarman Fellow in neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University, investigated parrots’ vocal learning abilities.