In this episode of the Parrot Stars Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Richmond and Dr. Snyder for an illuminating conversation that covers the world of veterinarians, parrot welfare, and their personal journeys with the birds they each have at home. Dr. Richmond explains how his experience with the toll that pursuing veterinary science can take inspired the creation of Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants. While Dr. Snyder found his path through veterinary dentistry, teaching, and clinical leadership at the University of Wisconsin. Of course, their visit to Parrot Stars and first impressions came up once or twice, but more importantly we discussed what they hope bird stores, breeders, and customers prioritize to improve parrot well-being in captivity.

Packed with veterinary insights, questions about the future of veterinary medicine (including the role AI could play), and memorable experiences that shaped their careers. Join us as we get to know two veterinarians who are profoundly gifted, knowledgeable, and highly respected within their field, and are truly some of the most kind, thoughtful, and caring people you could meet.

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: Flourishing Phoenix: veterinary wellbeing and engagement consulting - https://flourishingphoenix.com/

Learn more: University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine - https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/

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Our listeners are who keep the Parrot Stars Podcast going! Today we wanted to give a shout out to some of our amazing community members and answer the questions they submitted. We cover topics like training, desensitization, proper grooming, and even yoga! We hope you enjoy and please keep submitting your questions via phone, email, social media, or our typeform (links below). Also, listen for the species spotlight featuring the Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)!

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

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Links:

Submit a question/topic for future episodes: https://8eylyng6dks.typeform.com/to/IxjozyVm

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! 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

Parrots are flock animals, and when they live in our homes, we become a part of their flock. In this episode, our hosts talk about how parrots constantly “read the room,” and how the emotional environment of a household can shape a bird’s stress level, trust, and overall wellbeing. We break down why social awareness is hardwired into parrots (a behavior that does not disappear in captivity), introduce the idea of your home’s “emotional weather,” and discuss real-life household patterns: conflict, constant intensity, chronic stress, chaos, or isolation, that can wear on a bird over time even when no one means to cause it harm. Also covered are common clues that a parrot may not feel consistently safe or settled (like hypervigilance, screaming for attention, refusing to leave the cage, or stress behaviors). Concluding with a brief research-based note on why some parrots are simply more stress-sensitive than others (Cussen & Mench, 2015). Stay for the species spotlight featuring the Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)!

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:

Clark, P. (2013, September 29). The optimal social environment for your parrot. Pet Birds by Lafeber Co. https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/the-optimal-social-environment-for-your-parrot/

Cussen, V. A., & Mench, J. A. (2015). The relationship between personality dimensions and resiliency to environmental stress in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica), as indicated by the development of abnormal behaviors. PLOS ONE, 10(6), e0126170. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126170

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

Our hosts, Alexis Highland and Avery Voress, explore the science of flight, from the dinosaur origins of birds to the anatomy and physics that make flying possible. They break down feathers, bones, muscles, lungs, lift, and wing shape, then connect it all back to why flight is so important for parrots’ physical and mental wellbeing.

This episode also covers how recall, return, stations, and harness training can help companion parrots safely use flight as enrichment, exercise, and confidence-building. The species spotlight is the Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis).

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:

Castro, J. (2018, March 14). Archaeopteryx: The transitional fossil. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/24745-archaeopteryx.html

Caton, E. (n.d.). How did birds and other dinosaurs learn to fly? Natural History Museum. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-did-birds-and-other-dinosaurs-learn-to-fly.html

Cornell Lab Bird Academy. (n.d.). Everything you need to know about feathers. https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/

Focht, L. (2022, September 19). The physics of flight. Schlitz Audubon. https://www.schlitzaudubon.org/2022/09/19/the-physics-of-flight/

Hartman, S. (n.d.). Fully flighted birds. The Aviator Harness. https://www.aviatorharness.com/blog-feed/fully-flighted-birds

Massen, J., Malone, K., de Vries, R., Beekmans, M., van Zeeland, Y., & Spruijt, B. M. (2023). Do birds enjoy flying? An analysis of affect after flight in galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) (Version 1) [Preprint]. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2386013/v1

Tobalske, B. W. (2016). Evolution of avian flight: Muscles and constraints on performance. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 371(1704), Article 20150383. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0383

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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 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

Alexis Highland and Avery Voress discuss a core truth of parrot behavior: parrots are prey animals, and humans are predators. In this episode, they unpack how that instinct shapes trust, handling, fear, and everyday behavior. From freezing and flying away to screaming and biting, many behaviors people label as “negative” are actually survival communication. This conversation explores how we can better understand our parrots, reduce fear and conflict, and build trust through safety, choice, predictability, and positive reinforcement. Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Indian Ringneck Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)!

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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

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 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

In this episode, Alexis and Avery dive into the meaning of conservation and how it connects directly to the parrot world, where nearly one in three species are endangered or at risk of extinction. Focusing on Central and South America, this conversation highlights two inspiring organizations working to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable macaws.

First, we explore The Bird Endowment’s Nido Adoptivo Blue-throated Macaw Project in Bolivia, which supports the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw through nest boxes, habitat restoration, and community education. Alexis shares the hopeful progress being made for this rare species, including record fledging numbers and the growing cultural protection surrounding these birds.

Next, we look at Ara Manzanillo in Costa Rica and its work with the Great Green Macaw, a species pushed to the brink by habitat loss and poaching. Through rehabilitation, reintroduction, and artificial nesting programs, the project has helped increase both local and global Great Green Macaw populations.

Alexis also reflects on how conservation connects back to the Parrot Stars community, including a fundraiser that helped support Blue-throated Macaw conservation efforts from right here in the Chicago suburbs.

This episode is all about hope, action, and the power of people coming together to help parrots not just survive, but thrive.

If you want to learn more about or support either organization, you can visit them online at: https://www.birdendowment.org/about-nido-adoptivo and https://aramanzanillo.org.

Plus, discover the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) in our species spotlight!

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

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 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

Most parrot emergencies aren’t random—they come from everyday household routines. In this episode, Alexis and Avery walk through the most common dangers parrots face inside our homes and explain how to build a simple, practical safety system that protects your bird. From air quality and kitchen hazards to doors, fans, other pets, and hidden risks in every room, they break down the biggest safety concerns parrot owners should know.

You’ll also learn how to bird-proof your home, create safer flight spaces, and prepare for emergencies before they happen. The goal isn’t fear—it’s prevention. By the end of the episode, you’ll be challenged to do a quick safety scan of your home and identify one simple change that can make your parrot safer today. Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Green Cheeked Conure (Pyrrhura molinae)!

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

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 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.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

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

In this episode, our hosts Alexis and Avery share the bird experiences that shaped their lives—from childhood memories of backyard birds and farm chickens to serious birding, museum research, conservation studies, and Costa Rica. They reflect on the experiences that led them to work with parrots today. They reflect on the moments that deepened their passion for birds and discuss why education, conservation, and better care for parrots both in our homes and in the wild matter more than ever. Plus, a round of Two Truths and a Lie! Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Blue-Headed Pionus (Pionus menstruus)!

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

OSU Museum of Biological Diversity: https://mbd.osu.edu/

North Central College: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/

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 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