Parrot care, backed by research

Plain-language breakdowns of the studies behind good parrot care, from enrichment and daily weigh-ins to how wild flocks decide who to trust.

14 articles

A red-and-green macaw perched under a fine spray of water

HusbandryDo parrots need baths? How often?Most parrots do best with a bath several times a week. Here's how often to offer one, which methods to try, and creative ways to win over a bird who'd rather stay dry.6 min read · Oct 7, 2026

A pale budgie perched inside its cage

HusbandryWeigh your bird every day: What a gram scale tells you before your parrot doesWeight is the first honest signal of a parrot's health. Why daily weighing matters, what normal fluctuation looks like, and when the trend means call the vet.3 min read · Jul 20, 2026

A blue-and-gold macaw and a green macaw touching beaks

HusbandryCan different parrot species live together? What the science actually saysFive recent studies on wild flocks, social cognition, and welfare explain what helps parrots of different species share a home.4 min read · Apr 28, 2026

A sulphur-crested cockatoo climbing beside a food bowl on a wooden perch

HusbandryWhat the research actually says parrots need to thriveScience-backed parrot enrichment guide: what wild parrot behavior tells us about captive needs, what enrichment actually works, and signs your bird is thriving.7 min read · Apr 28, 2026

A sulphur-crested cockatoo perched on a tree branch

Research and conservationWhat wild cockatoo research reveals about how parrots size each other upWild cockatoos use one social system for birds they know and another for strangers. Here's what that means for multi-bird households.8 min read · Apr 27, 2026

A blue budgie perched on a white shelf indoors

HusbandryWhat parrot welfare research reveals about the signs owners missA review of nearly 1,900 welfare studies found parrots' earliest warning signs aren't feather picking or screaming. They're the behaviors that fade first.9 min read · Apr 14, 2026

A green Amazon parrot with a yellow face perched on a branch

Research and conservationWhat a release study reveals about parrot trainingA rehabilitation study shows why trained behavior changes in real life: parrots rank priorities when making decisions, at home and in the wild.5 min read · Mar 2, 2026

A macaw with blue and green wings flying low over a grassy field

Research and conservationWhat free-flight actually teaches parrotsHow structured free-flight builds judgment in parrots — and what it means for safer training and successful conservation releases.6 min read · Feb 25, 2026

Wild parrots gathered at a clay lick on a riverbank in the Amazon

Research and conservationWhat wild mixed-species parrot flocks can teach you at homeWild parrots don’t sort flockmates by species. A long-term Amazon study shows they use size and visual cues to decide who to join and avoid.6 min read · Feb 19, 2026

A green military macaw perched among broad tropical leaves

HusbandryCage sizes and setups for macawsCreating an environment that supports health, behavior, and wellbeing for one of the world’s most intelligent and high-energy birds.5 min read · Jul 18, 2025

Three sun conures perched together on a person's hand

HusbandryHow much space does a parrot really need?From budgies to macaws, here's what different species actually need to thrive.4 min read · Jul 18, 2025

A scarlet macaw perched on a branch inside a planted aviary

HusbandryBringing home a new parrotWhat the first few weeks with a new parrot really look like, what's normal, and how to help your bird settle in.2 min read · Jul 11, 2025

A macaw with blue and green wings flying low over a grassy field

Research and conservationMacaws in the wild: What we’re losing and how to helpFrom the Amazon to Central America, macaw populations are shrinking due to habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and climate change.2 min read · Jul 11, 2025

A sulphur-crested cockatoo perched on a tree branch

Research and conservationFrom jungle to cage: The history and ethics of parrots in the pet tradeHow parrots became popular pets, how the trade has affected wild populations, and how we can make more ethical choices as bird lovers.1 min read · Jul 11, 2025