Category: New

duck, mallard

Avian Thermometers – How Birds Regulate Body Heat Through Legs & Beaks

As climate changes, research unveils birds’ remarkable ability to regulate body temperature through their beaks and legs. A study on 14 Australian species using thermal imaging found birds actively adjust blood flow to dissipate or conserve heat, with larger appendages providing greater heat exchange. This adaptation could aid their survival amid rising temperatures.

Goffin's cockatoo in a cage

New Study Dives Into The Reasons Why Parrots Dunk Their Food

Why do birds dunk their food? It’s a behavior many owners witness daily. In a recent study with cockatoos, researchers tested foods of differing types and consistencies to see which ones the parrots tended to dunk and to theorize what drives this texture preference.

African grey parrot; African grey, grey parrot

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Always Have a Back-Up Plan for Cold Weather!

In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg speaks to the importance of having a plan, and possibly multiple backup plans, in place to protect our pet birds’ well-being during harsh weather and natural disasters. She cites challenges she and her African grey flock faced during a power outage and how that underscores the critical need to prepare. See how her parrots weathered a recent storm and what she and her colleagues in her cognitive behavior research lab are doing to stay proactive in planning for the unexpected.

sun conure, sun parakeet

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight January 2024: The Sun Conures of Guyana

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.

Amazon parrot

Study Explores The Brain Pathways Of Parrots’ Vocal Abilities

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.

black and white image of a dinosaur skeleton of a "terror bird"

Unearthing a Dinosaur Bird’s Tracks

Paleontologists in Argentina recently uncovered an unprecedented trove – 17 fossilized “terror bird” footprints. Journey back in time to glimpse the terror bird’s world through its 85 prehistoric footsteps preserved in stone, and see what made these ostrich-like dinosaurs such successful hunters.

African grey parrot named Athena

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Athena’s Shock Over Her First Egg!

When Athena the African grey parrot laid her very first egg, it took everyone by surprise – including Athena herself! As her caretaker and renowned animal cognition scientist Dr. Irene Pepperberg shares, Athena reacted with apparent shock. Athena’s curious response to suddenly producing her inaugural egg after seeming oblivious beforehand reveals the cognitive complexity of parrots.

Webinar: Ask the Vet with Dr. Tom Tully

Have a question about your bird’s health?! Don’t miss your chance to ask Dr. Tully a question about your bird’s nutrition, care, and well-being, or simply tune in to learn more about maintaining good health in our avian companions in this interactive webinar on September 29!

orange-bellied parrot, orange belly

Call For Volunteers in Tasmania To Help Conserve Orange-bellied Parrots

Volunteers are a vital part of conservation efforts, including helping endangered birds like the orange-bellied parrot, which is critically endangered in its native Tasmania. If you’ve ever dreamed of putting up nest boxes and assisting researchers, a program offered by the Tasmanian government might be your opportunity for hands-on experience. The Tasmanian government is working hard to protect the orange-bellied parrot and is seeking volunteers to join its Orange-bellied Parrot Volunteer Program.

Parrot Cares for Kittens Found in Nest Cavity

When Brazilian farmer Josemar Milli and his wife rescued two Amazon chicks from the wild more than a decade ago, they didn’t foresee that one of those chicks would grow up to be a parrot mom to three kittens. As explained in a popular TikToc video, that parrot, named Louro, would fly off to explore during the day but usually returned by evening. When the bird was gone for three nights, Josemar checked the parrot’s usual perch spots and was shocked to see what he found in Louro’s favorite perch cavity—kittens!

A Fascinating Look at the Darkest & The Brightest Birds

In a world of black and white, two birds stand out from the crowd. The Greater Superb Bird of Paradise is the blackest bird in the world, with feathers that absorb 99.95% of light. The Eurasian Woodcock, on the other hand, has feathers that are the whitest in the world, with feathers that reflect 30% more light than any other known bird. Read on to learn more about these stunning opposites!

African grey parrots, Congo African grey parrots, grey parrots

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight June/July 2023: The Crucial Roles of IUCN & CITES

We depend on local communities, scientists, researchers, and international organizations to sound the alarm when a bird species is in trouble. Two organizations that are crucial to providing reliable information on endangered, threatened, and vulnerable species are the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Learn how IUCN and CITES play essential roles in documenting the
status of the species that provide our planet with biodiversity and help manage trade in a responsible way.

African grey parrot; African grey; grey; Dr. Pepperberg's research lab

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: ZOOMing Amongst Parrots

Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s research has helped to change the way we think about parrots and their intelligence— that parrots are capable of learning complex concepts and using language in a meaningful way. In her latest blog, she talks about her 1999 media lab project—aptly referred to as “InterPet Explorer—to see how parrots could or would interact with computers; pre Zoom! See what that research entailed and how she helped spark the latest research in which scientists developed a system whereby parrots can interact with one another online!

geese, mallards, Canda geese, and a swan on and near the water with snow

Blossom The Widowed Goose Finds New Love

Blossom the goose was a lonesome “widow” wandering the grounds of Riverside Cemetery in Iowa after Bud, her partner of many years, passed away. To help the lonely goose, cemetery staff put the word out that they were seeking a new goose companion on her behalf, and along came Frankie. See how this new couple, just like the previous one, is endearing itself to staff and visitors.

Pigeon, war Pigeon

A Look Back at the Most Famous Pigeon of All

Thanks to their unique homing abilities, carrier pigeons were used during both the First and Second World Wars to transport messages back to their home coops behind the lines. Perhaps the most famous pigeon of all, Cher Ami, delivered a message that saved a large group of surrounded American infantrymen, referred to as “The Lost Battalion.”

African grey parrot

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Alex’s Number Concepts—Part IV

In her last installment of “Alex’s Number Series,” Dr. Irene Pepperberg reveals Alex’s numerical abilities that have yet to be demonstrated by any other nonhuman—quite a feat! Read on to find out how Alex the African grey parrot was the first, and so far the only, nonhuman to show that he inferred the cardinal values of new numbers from their ordinal values. In layman’s terms, Alex understood that numbers in order (i.e. “One, two, three…) meant that a number was one more than the preceding number and one less than the number after it.

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: Timneh Grey Parrots in Sierra Leone, Africa

This month’s Lafeber Conservation spotlight takes us to Sierra Leone, Africa, where the World Parrot Trust (WPT) is hard at work developing conservation strategies to help save endangered Timneh African grey parrots. This includes protecting their habit and protecting them from poaching, as well as bringing local leaders, community members, conservationists, and government officials together to discuss the actions needed to conserve and protect Timneh parrots.

Webinar: Avian Vet Insider—Kidney Disease in Pet Birds

In this free webinar, Dr. Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), will talk about kidney disease in pet birds, such as common kidney problems, including various infectious causes, toxins, nutritional disorders, and metabolic disorders that lead to kidney damage. Sign up and tune in on September 16!

August 26, 2022 Webinar

Webinar: A Unique Learning Retreat for Pet Bird Owners

In this webinar, our special guests Lisa Bono, CPBC, Ann Brooks, and Dr. Susan Orosz will discuss education as the key to being the best bird steward. You will go behind the scenes at the most recent Phoenix Landing Wellness Retreat, which offers a special learning opportunity for pet bird owners from experts in the field. Sign up and tune in on August 26!

chattering lory; lorikeet

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.

Dr Pepperberg nose to beak with African grey named Griffin

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Alex’s Numerical Abilities — Part I

In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg talks about how African grey Alex didn’t learn his numbers in the traditional sense, especially when compared to young children. Alex’s number studies were unique in many ways, which also allowed him to outperform some of the other nonhumans on certain tasks. Learn why Dr. Pepperberg started training Alex on the numbers “three” and “four,” first as well as which number posed the biggest phonetic challenge, and more in this Part 1 of a two-part series.

side view of perched Kea parrot

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: New Zealand Keas

This month’s Lafeber Conservation spotlight takes us to New Zealand, where the NZ Parrot Trust is leading the charge to help increase the population numbers of the curious and sometimes mischievous Kea parrot — the only mountain parrot species in the world! Learn why these parrots’ ferocious chewing tendencies can pose a hazard to themselves, and what is being done to protect them.

Exotic Birds Get Help In Ukraine Crisis

Poland-based veterinarian Aleksandra Kornelia Maj has gone to great lengths to help evacuees of the Ukraine region who are entering Poland with their pet parrots. Dr. Maj offers free veterinary care to refugee birds, as well as remote help.

blue-and-gold macaws

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: The Urban Birds Project–Macaws In The City Of Campo Grande, Brazil

Lafeber’s latest Conservation Spotlight takes us to the metropolitan city of Campo Grande, Brazil, where the Instituto Arara Azul is helping wild blue & golds and other macaws thrive in the city. As human encroachment consumes many parrot species’ native lands, helping them thrive in the city environments that encircle them is an innovative idea, and perhaps a critical one for the survival of some parrot species.

cockatiel

Ollie The Cockatiel Takes On Epic Fundraising Trek Across New Zealand

Ollie the rescue cockatiel, with his colorful hand-knitted outfits, is off on an epic adventure. He and his human steward, Robyn Chappell, are trekking across New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail to raise awareness and money for the trail’s maintenance. See how this special-needs ‘tiel is warming hearts along the way.

blue footed boobie bird

Texas Woman Sets Bird-Watching Record & Aims To Make Birding Safer For Women

In the birding community, a “big year” is a personal challenge to identify as many species of birds as possible by sight or sound, within a single calendar year and within a specific geographic area. Texas native Tiffany Kersten not only set the record for the youngest woman to spot 700 bird species in the Lower 48 states, but she also made it her mission to make birding a safer activity for women by gifting personal safety alarms, fittingly called Birdie alarms, to women she encounters on her birding adventures.

Amazon parrot

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.

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: Echo — The Parrots & People Of Bonaire

Lafeber’s latest Conservation Spotlight takes us to a small island in the Caribbean — Bonaire, home to the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot. The conservation group Echo is dedicated to ensuring a stable and growing population of this endangered parrot by reducing habitat degradation, restoring the parrots’ habitat, and reducing the poaching of chicks.

African grey parrot Alex

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Yes, Our Birds Mean What They Say

The most common question Dr. Irene Pepperberg encounters is if parrots truly understand what they are saying. In her newest blog, Dr. Pepperberg offers some notable experiences with African greys Alex, Griffin, and Athena that might not hold up to scientific scrutiny but are nonetheless valuable in demonstrating parrots’ impressive cognitive abilities.

scarlet macaw art

Dazzling Scarlet Macaw Cross-Stitch Wins First Place

After 1,000 hours spread over 18 months, the self-taught Philip Brill used his cross-stitching skills to create a vibrant rendition of a scarlet macaw. His hard work paid off, with a first-place award at the St. Mary’s County Art Council’s annual Art Walk contest. Learn about the inspiration behind Brill’s magnificent art piece, as well as the process involved in bringing his subject to life on congress cloth.

Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight: Guatemala & the Scarlet Macaw

Lafeber’s latest Conservation Spotlight takes us to Guatemala, where the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has strived to help macaws by building nesting sites, monitoring fledging rates to determine macaw population, and growing support from the surrounding community through education and outreach programs.

African grey parrots

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Parrots On The Move—Again!

In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg talks about African greys Griffin and Athena’s recent move into a spacious two-bedroom apartment. Surprisingly, the grey who typically doesn’t like change seems to be adjusting quicker than their flockmate. Dr. Pepperberg gives us the backstory.

scarlet macaw in flight in blue sky

The Macaw Society’s “Foster Program” is Just One Way it Helps Macaws in the Wild

Since 1999, The Macaw Society (formally called the Tambopata Research Project) at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has been dedicated to the study of macaws in the wild, with 40 scientific papers and counting. The Macaw Society’s “foster chick” program is one way it helps increase wild macaw numbers by assigning otherwise neglected chicks to foster macaw parents.

African grey parrot

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Birds Do Not Like to be Tricked!

Dr. Irene Pepperberg explains the “treat substitution” trick, where a treat is moved from where the test subject assumes it should be or it is switched out with a less favored treat. Learn the reasons why birds and other prey animals form expectations of where food is located, and why they demonstrate a signs of distress when their expectations are challenged.

two African grey parrots eating leaf of chard

Inside Dr. Pepperberg’s Lab: Dealing with Picky Eaters

Parrots, like people, have their individualized tastes in food. This includes their own interpretations of what constitutes fresh produce, as well as the order in which food should be eaten. In her latest blog, Dr. Irene Pepperberg dishes on African greys Athena and Griffin’s specific food preferences.

Virginia Rose, Founder of Birdability

Birdability Strives To Make Birding Accessible To All

Learn how retired teacher Virginia Rose discovered her passion for birding and her life-changing event that fueled her mission to make birding accessible to all, no matter what mobility challenges they may face.

kea parrot, alpine parrot

Keas: Why These Alpine Parrots Took the Mountains

Once upon a time, kea parrots lived among humans in lower altitudes. However, they ultimately settled in New Zealand’s mountainous habitat, namely because it was an area least disturbed by human activity. Discover how researchers recently came to this conclusion.

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