Jamie started working with parrots at 17, performed with them on cruise ships around the world, and has spent over two decades helping people build better relationships with their birds. In this episode, I sit down with Jamieleigh Womach, co-founder of BirdTricks, to talk about her incredible journey, what "every interaction is a training session" really means, permission-based training, her non-profit Project Parrots, and her recent trip to Peru to visit wild macaws. Whether you're a new parrot owner or have been parronting for years, this conversation will change the way you think about your bird!

Episode Highlights:

• The BirdTricks origin story — from performing magic with parrots to saving parrots one person at a time
• "Every interaction is a training session" — what it really means and why every parrot owner needs to understand it
• The biggest mistakes well-intentioned parrot owners make
• Parrots are the 4th most popular pet but the #1 most rehomed — why, and what needs to change
• Project Parrots — the birds that started it and how it's going
• Their trip to Peru and what the Macaw Project does to help in the wild

Special Guest: 👉🏼 Jamieleigh Womach — Co-Founder of BirdTricks, Parrot Trainer & Founder of Project Parrots Non-Profit

"These birds live a very long time, and if we go the slow and steady route, we're going to have longevity out of that and trying to teach people to have the patience to do that and understand to that if they use a more positive based solution that the bird is going to be happier and intern they are going to be happier" — Jamieleigh Womach

Links & Resources:

• birdtricksstore.com
• projectparrots.org
• Tambopata Macaw Project: https://www.wiredamazon.com/

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

In this episode, I sit down with biologist, Presidential Award-winning educator, and avian nutrition expert Dr. Jason Crean, Lead Formulator at Biodiversity Bird Blends and one of the most respected voices in companion parrot nutrition in North America! We cover everything from wild diet ecology and bioavailability to herbal teas, bee pollen, hormones, and the mineral questions every parront is Googling at night.👀

Episode Highlights:

• Why whole food diversity is what parrots are biologically built for
• Parrot Nutrition variety and what that includes
• Why are parrots eating clay in the wild, and what does the science show
• Why do parrots eat avocado in the wild?
• Mini lecture on the avian digestion system
• Bee pollen for parrots — is it good for parrots?
• Grit, cuttlebone, and seashells — what's safe and what your bird actually needs
• What to do during hormone season (SPRING!!)
• Herbal teas for birds: the science behind them and Dr. Crean's Hormone Homeostasis blend

Special Guest: 👉🏼 Dr. Jason Crean — Biologist, Avian Nutrition Consultant & Lead Formulator at Biodiversity Bird Blends

"Birds in the wild are surviving largely; the wild is a really rough place, we romanticize it." — Dr. Jason Crean

Links & Resources:

• Team Thrive! Nutrition Platform: www.drcrean.com/beaks-bird-house-thrive
• Biodiversity Bird Blends: www.biobirdblends.com
• Instagram: @drjasoncrean | Facebook: Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrition

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

Thinking about rescuing a parrot or adopting from a bird rescue? In this episode, we explore the realities of parrot rescue and life as a bird owner.

Parrot rescues around the world are overflowing with birds needing homes, yet many people don’t fully understand what adopting a rescue parrot involves. In this episode, certified professional bird trainer Sophie joins us to talk about rescuing parrots, rehoming birds, and the realities of bringing new parrots into your home.

We also discuss the honest side of being a bird parent, from the scariest moments we've experienced with parrots to the challenges many owners don’t expect.

🦜Episode Highlights:

• Rescuing parrots and adopting
• Sophie’s journey, adding three rescue cockatiels to the flock
• The honest realities of being a bird parent, aka parront — the good, the bad, and the scary
• Our thoughts on AI-generated parrots and how they impact perceptions of parrots online

👉🏼Special Guest: Sophie Barnett, Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA) from Best Behaved Birds. Sophie has over 15 years of professional experience working with parrots across zoos, farms, and wildlife parks. She holds a First Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a Triple Distinction National Diploma in Animal Management.

“It's really good to have realistic expectations and not expect that everything is going to go really well, but that's not to put people off rescuing, it's incredible, there are so many birds. I cannot stress how many birds ...rescues are swelled.” — Sophie

Links:
• https://bestbehavedbirds.com/

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

In this episode, we sit down with Lea from NEKTON to talk all things summer bird care, from avoiding heat stress in parrots and other birds to smart supplement strategies that can make a big difference in the summer. Parrots don’t sweat, and hot days, especially during heat waves, can be dangerous if you’re not prepared.

We cover the key signs of heat stress, what to do if you spot them, common mistakes bird owners make during the summer, prevention recommendations and what to avoid. Plus, Lea shares her go-to supplements for the season and how to introduce them safely to your birds! Whether you're a seasoned bird keeper or new to parrot care, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Keypoints:
☀️Staying healthy in the heat
☀️How does heat affect birds
☀️Signs of overheating
☀️Supplements for birds in summer
☀️Why supplements are beneficial for pet birds
☀️ Electrolytes, vitamins and bone health
☀️ How do your supplements complement a healthy diet?
☀️ How to introduce supplements, even to picky eaters!
☀️ Common mistakes bird owners make when caring for their birds during the summer

Special Guests:
👉🏼 Lea from NEKTION, a leading brand in high-quality bird care products. Nekton offers a wide range of supplements designed to keep your feathered friends healthy and thriving, from ornamental birds to birds of prey.

“Electrolytes give the birds important minerals, simple sugars like dextrose and fructose and vitamin C, and these help keep the fluids balanced and help the birds recover faster after such stress like dehydration, heat and stuff, so that’s very good in the summer.”— Lea

Links:

NEKTON Shop: https://shop.nekton.de/en/

NEKTON News: https://www.nekton.de/en/sommerhitze-bei-voegeln-unsere-partnerin-gibt-tipps-zur-richtigen-pflege/

Blog on Heat: https://poodlesandparrots.com/blog/posts/protect-your-birds-from-summer-heat

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

What happens when science, compassion, technology and a parrot come together? In this episode, we sit down with Jen, who took a groundbreaking approach to teaching birds how to communicate using tablets and touchscreens! Her birds are the first documented parrots that can READ AND WRITE!! We explore how to truly understand your bird’s emotions, recognize signs of trauma, fear, and even pain, and how technology and trust-based training can create a bridge between species.

Whether you're a bird parent, animal behaviour enthusiast, or just curious about how a parrot can use an iPad/tablet, this episode will leave you rethinking what’s possible in animal communication!

Keypoints:

🦜What inspired teaching parrots to communicate using technology?
🦜What was the initial process of training a cockatoo to use a tablet
🦜How can we help our bird with their fears
🦜Access to a tablet saved Isabelle the cockatoo's life!
🦜How can this method deepen your relationships with your bird
🦜Can any bird learn this?
🦜How do you ensure that the use of technology is beneficial for your parrots, and not overwhelming or stressful for them
🦜Tips on how to get started without a tablet/iPad!

Special Guests:

👉🏼 Jen from @parrotkindergarten, parrot mama, attorney, animal cognition trainer, writer, and international speaker, focusing on animal literacy and communication.

“Every animal I’ve worked with has been able to learn either cards and symbols or the tablet, and various things play into this”— Jen

Links:

Parrot Kindergarten: https://parrotkindergarten.com/

Screen sanitizers: https://www.amazon.com/shop/poodlesandparrots/list/2GP2S18EBZPTD?ref_=aipsflist

Touch & Feel books: https://amzn.to/48RJY2k

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

Are cockatiels good pets? In this episode, we explore cockatiels as pets, how they compare to conures, and essential care tips. We chat with Ada about her flock and real-life experiences with her adorable cockatiels and canary!

Keypoints:

🦜 Cockatiels vs. Conures

💛 Cockatiel care

🌙 Cockatiel night frights

🔍 Foraging for cockatiels

🎶 Canary birds – What it's like to have them as pets

🥦 Canary bird diet – Nutrition for these tiny songbirds

This episode is packed with cockatiel care tips and insights to help you provide the best home and care for your feathered babies!

Special Guests:

👉🏼 Ada, Bird Mom to a flock of 6 tiels and 2 canaries @the.birdband

Links:

The Bird Band: https://www.thebirdband.com/

Back Zoo Nature Foraging: https://www.backzoonature.com/en/

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots

In this episode, we dive into the essential tips every bird owner needs to know. From quick first-aid steps for emergencies to understanding the root causes of feather plucking, we cover it all with Dr. Octavio. Learn how to optimize your parrot’s diet with the right balance and discover the importance of sunlight and probiotics for their well-being. Plus, we tackle common health concerns like overweight birds and the use of hormone implants. Tune in for expert advice and practical solutions to keep your parrot thriving from an avian vet!

Key Points:

• Parrot first aid tips
• Parrot bleeding tips
• Probiotics and Prebiotics for Birds
• Sunlight for birds - Why and how much?
• Cockatiels and night frights!
• How to tell if your bird is overweight?
• Parrot diet - seeds, pellets, vegetables, fruit
• Parrot plucking and the root cause
• What do healthy feathers look like?
• Do x-rays have to be done with anesthesia?
• Hormone implants and Lupron - do they work? Are they good?
• Most common bacteria and infections in birds!

Special Guests:

👉🏼 Dr. Octavio Lisboa, Avian Vet passionate about saving birds since 2006. You may remember him from Episode 34!

“And simple accident but they can become like a nightmare… is the bleeding, nail bleeding, beak bleeding something like this… We have to try to stop the bleeding immediately.”— Dr. Octavio

Links:

• https://www.avianmedicinecourses.com/
• https://www.avianmedicinecourses.com/online-course-how-to-feed-my-parrot

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/poodlesandparrots
🦜 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparrotpodcast/
🦜🐾 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poodlesandparrots/
🥦 Freebies & EBOOKS: https://poodlesandparrots.com/products
💻 Helpful Blogs: https://poodlesandparrots.com/
📌 Pinterest: pinterest.com/poodlesandparrots