Parrot Stars Podcast

In this fun and heartfelt interview, Alexis and Avery sit down with Rebecca Behrendt, the owner of viral Green Cheeked Conure, Angus McBangus. Rebecca shares how life with Angus began, the training and relationship-building behind his larger-than-life personality, and what viewers do not always see beyond the viral videos. They also talk about Angus’s “brother,” Seamus, daily bird care, and Rebecca’s experiences living with two very different Green-Cheeked Conures!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

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Perch variety is one of the easiest ways to improve how a parrot moves, exercises, and explores inside an enclosure. In this episode, Alexis and Avery break down the major categories of perching, including natural wood, rope, flat, textured, and novelty options, and explain the strengths and limitations of each. They also discuss why uniform dowels fall short, how to use different diameters and textures without overthinking it, and the safety considerations that come with wild branches and rope perches. Finally, they walk listeners through a practical cage-layout system using dish perches, foundational perches, supplemental perches, ladders, swings, and boings to create what every great parrot enclosure should resemble: coordinated, structured chaos. 

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com 

Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/ 

Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars 

Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Academy Pet Hospital. “Choosing the Right Bird Perches for Polly’s Health and Happiness.” Academy Pet Hospital, April 15, 2025.

https://www.fayettevilleveterinary.com/2025/04/15/choosing-the-right-bird-perches-for-pollys-health-and-happiness/ 

Backus, Spencer B., Diego Sustaita, Lael U. Odhner, and Aaron M. Dollar. “Mechanical Analysis of Avian Feet: Multiarticular Muscles in Grasping and Perching.” Royal Society Open Science, vol. 2, no. 2, 2015, article 140350.

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140350  

Rich, Gregory, Laurie Hess, and Rick Axelson. “Perches for Birds.” VCA Animal Hospitals. Updated April 10, 2026.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/perches-for-birds 

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Perches are far more than places for parrots to stand; They shape how birds move, explore, exercise, and maintain healthy feet and joints. In this episode, Alexis and Avery explain how thoughtful perch placement can make the entire enclosure accessible, why a well-equipped cage should offer plenty of climbing and activity opportunities, and why a bird’s “favorite perch” may actually be about location or confidence. They also explore the anatomy of parrot feet, the importance of varied diameters and textures, and how better perching can help prevent discomfort, pressure sores, and long-term mobility problems. 

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

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Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com 

Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars 

Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars 

Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Learn More:

Academy Pet Hospital. “Choosing the Right Bird Perches for Polly’s Health and Happiness.” Academy Pet Hospital, April 15, 2025.

https://www.fayettevilleveterinary.com/2025/04/15/choosing-the-right-bird-perches-for-pollys-health-and-happiness/  

Backus, Spencer B., Diego Sustaita, Lael U. Odhner, and Aaron M. Dollar. “Mechanical Analysis of Avian Feet: Multiarticular Muscles in Grasping and Perching.” Royal Society Open Science, vol. 2, no. 2, 2015, article 140350.

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140350  

Rich, Gregory, Laurie Hess, and Rick Axelson. “Perches for Birds.” VCA Animal Hospitals. Updated April 10, 2026.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/perches-for-birds 

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support  

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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the outstanding things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Parrots are among the most colorful animals on Earth, but their feathers may look completely different to another parrot than they do to us. In this episode, Alexis and Avery explore the science behind parrot coloration, including tetrachromatic vision, ultraviolet light, microscopic feather structures, melanin, and the uniquely parrot-made pigments called psittacofulvins. They also examine how color supports mate selection, species recognition, communication, camouflage, and survival, with fascinating examples from budgies, Blue-fronted Amazons, Hyacinth Macaws, cockatoos, and Eclectus Parrots. 

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—
Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com  

Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/ 

Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars 

Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Learn More:

AskNature. “Parrots Make Unique Molecules to Generate Color.” AskNature. Updated January 29, 2025.

https://asknature.org/strategy/parrots-make-unique-molecules-to-generate-color/ 

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “How Birds Make Colorful Feathers.” Bird Academy. Accessed July 31, 2026.

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/how-birds-make-colorful-feathers/ 

Heinsohn, Robert. “Why Are Male Birds More Colorful Than Female Birds?” Scientific American, September 12, 2005.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-male-birds-more-c/ 

Pennisi, Elizabeth. “Why Are Parrots So Colorful? Study Points to Simple Chemical Tweak.” Science, October 31, 2024. https://www.science.org/content/article/why-are-parrots-so-colorful-study-points-simple-chemical-tweak 

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Cockatoo.” San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants. Accessed July 31, 2026.

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/cockatoo 

Santa Barbara Zoo. “You May Not Like It, but This Is What Camouflage Looks Like!” Facebook. Accessed July 31, 2026.

https://www.facebook.com/santabarbarazoo/posts/1076048684563894/  

Toft, Catherine A., and Timothy F. Wright. Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds. University of California Press, 2015.

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520962644  

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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the thrilling things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Why do we use cages, and what makes one appropriate for a parrot? In this episode, Alexis and Avery explain how a properly designed enclosure provides safety, structure, independence, and a place to recover from household stimulation, never punishment or isolation. They break down why parrot cages are built with bars, which materials are safest, why DIY wood and aquarium-style enclosures fall short, and the risks of relying on a cage-free bird room. They also introduce the most important cage-sizing principles, including why width and depth matter more than height and why every parrot deserves the largest safe enclosure possible.

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Resources:

Association of Avian Veterinarians. “Minimum Cage Size Recommendations.” Association of Avian Veterinarians, April 23, 2019; updated July 14, 2023. https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/322568/Minimum-Cage-Size-Recommendations 

Van Sant, Fern. “What’s That Cage Made Of?” For the Birds DVM, April 16, 2010. Originally reprinted from the Proceedings of the International Aviculturists Society, January 1997. https://www.forthebirdsdvm.com/blogs/news/1586482-whats-that-cage-made-of 

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout! 
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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the thrilling things happening at Parrot Stars!

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Support the show

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African Grey parrots are among the most recognizable companion birds in the world, but their intelligence, beauty, and popularity have also made them major targets of the illegal wildlife trade. In this two-part episode, Alexis and Avery examine the trafficking of Congo African Greys from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the devastating mortality behind wild-caught bird shipments, and the country’s recent move to ban parrot capture, sale, transport, and export. They also discuss how prospective parrot owners can avoid supporting unethical trade through careful research and responsible purchasing.

The episode then travels to South Africa to spotlight the vulnerable Cape Parrot and the work of the Wild Bird Trust’s Cape Parrot Project. From restoring indigenous yellowwood forests and addressing disease and invasive species to community education and long-term conservation planning, this episode explores how protecting parrots requires protecting the habitats and people connected to them.

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Rüppell’s Parrot (Poicephalus rueppellii)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:
Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Cape Parrot Project Instagram: @capeparrotproject

References:
Animal Welfare Institute. “Commercial Pet Trade of Terrestrial Wildlife.” Animal Welfare Institute. https://awionline.org/programs/terrestrial-wildlife/commercial-trade/commercial-pet-trade-of-terrestrial-wildlife/

BirdLife International. “Tackling the Illegal Trade and Trafficking of Birds.” BirdLife International. https://www.birdlife.org/projects/tackling-illegal-trade-inc-songbirds/

Cape Parrot Action Plan Coordinating Committee. “Cape Parrot and Mistbelt Forest Action Plan.” https://www.capeparrotactiongroup.org/

Makal, Didier. “DRC Finally Moves to Protect African Gray Parrots from Unsustainable Trade.” Mongabay, September 23, 2025. https://news.mongabay.com/2025/09/drc-finally-moves-to-protect-african-gray-parrots-from-unsustainable-trade-didier-makal/

Pollock, Christal. “Understanding the Illegal Parrot Trade.” LafeberVet, April 20, 2013. https://lafeber.com/vet/understanding-the-illegal-parrot-trade/

Toft, Catherine A., and Timothy F. Wright. Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds. University of California Press, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520962644

Wild Bird Trust. “Cape Parrot Project.” Wild Bird Trust. https://www.wildbirdtrust.com/projects/cape-parrot-project

___

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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the thrilling things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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How do we give our parrots meaningful attention without accidentally teaching them that they must be with us every second of the day? In this episode, Alexis and Avery break down the difference between healthy connection, purposeful independence, and true recovery time. They explore common patterns like guilt-driven attention, constant free rein, contact calling, “Velcro” behavior, and difficulty settling. Understand that these are often signs of an unbalanced system rather than a “needy” bird. They also share practical rules for rebuilding healthier attention patterns, plus a simple seven-day reset designed to help parrots play independently, recover after excitement, and enjoy higher-quality time with their people. 

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Goffin’s Cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—-

Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support 

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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the wonderful things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Birding can be as simple as noticing the birds in your backyard or as serious as traveling hundreds of miles to find a rare species in its natural habitat! In this episode, hosts Alexis and Avery explore what birding is, the different types of birdwatching, and the basic tools that can make the experience even more rewarding. They discuss the absolute joy of birding but also touch on the ethics of using recorded bird calls in the field. Along the way, they share their own birding stories and explain why observing wild birds can deepen our appreciation for nature, conservation, and the incredible lives of birds beyond our homes.

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Kea (Nestor notabilis)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Learn More:

Bureau of Land Management. U.S. Department of the Interior. http://www.blm.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Birding Is Soaring in Popularity with Sky-High Impact.” December 9, 2024. https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-12/birdwatching-america

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support

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https://buymeacoffee.com/parrotstarspodcast

Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the thrilling things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Learn more about Parrot Stars and shop online at parrotstars.com

Where you place your parrot’s cage can shape how safe, connected, and rested they feel every day. In this episode, Alexis and Avery break down the three things every good cage location should provide: safety, social connection, and recovery. They discuss windows, vents, cords, household traffic, other pets, and common locations like living rooms, bedrooms, offices, kitchens, and more! They also explain how a “poorly” chosen spot can contribute to hypervigilance, contact calling, increased defensive behavior, poor sleep, and difficulty playing independently, all of which goes hand in hand. Learn how the right location can help your parrot feel included without living in constant chaos.

Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Congo African Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:
Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support

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https://buymeacoffee.com/parrotstarspodcast

Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the outstanding things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Support the show

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In this riveting episode, our hosts Alexis and Avery combine two personal favorites of theirs - American history and parrots - to explore the shockingly long list of U.S. presidents (and First Families) who kept parrots in the Oval Office! They kick things off at Mount Vernon with George and Martha Washington’s famously referenced parrot Polly, then head into the White House years with James and Dolley Madison and their own Polly the macaw who was an unforgettable guest greeter with a bit of an attitude. From there, they tell the most legendary story of all: Andrew Jackson’s African grey parrot and its funeral antics; with a few honorable mentions along the way, such as Grant’s mysterious parrot, McKinley’s “Washington Post” the Amazon, and Theodore Roosevelt’s Macaw “Eli Yale.” Later, White House birds like Eisenhower’s “Gabby” and JFK’s budgerigars “Bluebell” and “Marybelle” make appearances. Wrapping up the conversation with the last parrots to fly in the White House: Lyndon B. Johnson’s two little lovebirds.

*A quick reminder when discussing topics from the past: parrot care has drastically improved in the last century. In the last 30 years alone, the scientific literature surrounding parrot care has grown infinitely compared to what was known previously. Please keep in mind Parrot Stars does not condone the manner in which many of these birds were cared for. Yet we do see the value in discussing things accurately, in other words, as they happened, to the best of our abilities. 

Parrots have played a significant role in our lives throughout much of human history, and the more we learn about them, the better off they’ll be everywhere! Tune in for our species spotlight featuring the Yellow-Headed Amazon (Amazona oratrix)!

Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you!

—

Links:

Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com
Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/
Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars
Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars

Learn More - References:

      Hilarie M. Hicks, “Parroting Historical Research,” Montpelier (August 13, 2018). https://www.montpelier.org/parroting-historical-research/

      Laura Doering, “Presidents and Their Pet Parrots,” Pet Birds by Lafeber Co. (February 14, 2013). https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/presidents-their-parrots/

      Mary V. Thompson, “Birds,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/birds

      Presidential Pet Museum — photos and information about U.S. presidents and their pets. https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/

      White House Historical Association, “President Theodore Roosevelt’s six children brought a menagerie of pets into the White House with them,” Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouseHistory/posts/president-theodore-roosevelts-six-children-brought-a-menagerie-of-pets-into-the-/3332079173483989/

      Xander Zellner, “A Brief History of President-Bird Companionship,” Audubon (February 12, 2016). https://www.audubon.org/news/a-brief-history-president-bird-companionship

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast!  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support

Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the outstanding things happening at Parrot Stars! 

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Learn more about Parrot Stars and shop online at parrotstars.com