Debunking Pet Parrot Myths | BirdNerdSophie

It's time for some myth busting! In today's video, I discuss some common pet parrot myths to see if they are fact or fiction!
ABOUT ME 🙋‍♀️:
Hi everyone, I'm Sophie, also known as BirdNerdSophie, and I make educational and entertaining parrot care content! I'm a Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA) and I've been working professionally with animals since 2009 across different jobs including working as a zoo keeper, animal trainer, zoo presenter, animal care lecturer and farmer! I have been lucky enough to work with parrots of all sizes, including: blue and gold macaws, yellow naped Amazons and budgies! I have a First Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare specialising in birds, and I have a growing flock of parrots who I love!
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MY FLOCK 🦜:
Chip 💛 - Pied cockatiel
Fish 💜 - Grey cockatiel
Pickles 💚 - Pineapple turquoise green cheeked conure
Scampi ❤ - Yellow sided green cheeked conure
Olive 💙 - Turquoise yellow sided green cheeked conure
Kipling ❤ Crimson bellied conure
Louis 💛 Cinnamon green cheeked conure
Charlie ❤ Crimson bellied conure
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#parrots #birds #pets

[@LucyBird]

Pickles was so well behaved in this video!! So cute to watch ❤

[@BirdNerdSophie]

She’s the bestest bird!

[@mtoffo2275]

My cockatiel has a very faint nutty smell. I know it because I constantly stick my nose into her feathers to inhale it 😬 I'm addicted to it. My other one smelled terribly of old dust when I got him but it has died down considerably after changing him to a healthier diet from the one he was on

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha sometimes you can’t help but take a big sniff 😂💙

[@moonraventarotandwitchcraft]

Easy, if you dont want your bird to fly, then dont get a bird. Flying is a natural thing for birds, and if you dont like that, then birds/parrots is not for you. Thank you so much Sophie for bringing those myths up in the light.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much for watching! 💙

[@Loveofpets]

Great video! The myths that bothers me the most are that they are being dominant if they land on your head or shoulder and wing clipping. Thanks for the video!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching! 🤗💙

[@paultetrault9165]

I once had an aggressive Amazon parrot. I was told to stand on a stool to make myself taller and flap my "wings" to show my dominance. Needles to say it didn't work. I feel so silly that I actually tried it! 😊

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha well I suppose you’d helped to debunk the myth 😅💙

[@atomiclov]

It's true! You *can* teach a bird of any age, even if she's a fiercely stubborn, mature red tail hawk. (sorry, couldn't resist. we've been heavily re-training our educational ambassador after covid knocked all of our routines out of whack.) The morning poos... omg. Our little cockatiel generally does her best to avoid the morning eliminations in her cage, so we get her out, run over to one of the house plants (or another safe dookie spot). It's almost mind-blowing how much comes out of this little featherbutt. Edit: just remembered something my 2nd grade friend (she had cockatiels and an african grey) -- she once said that a bird's feet get warm before they excrete. From my varied experiences with raptors and smaller parrots, I personally haven't noticed any solid correlation -- but was curious if anyone else ever heard that.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I haven’t noticed a correlation between feet getting hot and pooping thus far!

[@skort94]

As someone who's birds were unfortunately both clipped when I got them, it is horrible. I had to teach my older girl how to fly and let me tell you, it took A LOT of time and effort. She was constantly falling and breaking tail feathers until her clipped wing feathers FINALLY molted out and she got her new flights. This girl is now a very skilled little flyer and chooses to be on or with me 99% of the time. My other girl is still trying to get those flight feathers in and since August 2024, I've been trying to get her confident enough to use her wings. It's not just a part of your bird that you take away with clipping, as Sophie says in this video, you take their balance, their choice, and I will add that you take their confidence and that is so hard to get back! My younger girl is finally starting to flap a smidge farther and she gets big time rewarded for it lol. Now that I've thrown my coins into that, I too was told that if I were to get another bird my one probably wouldn't like me anymore. I will happily tell you that both my girls love me and love spending time with me. So if you're willing to put in that time, effort, and training, get your second bird

[@BirdNerdSophie]

You’ve done such a wonderful job with the girls, you should be so proud 🤗 thank you for sharing your experiences! 💙

[@TheSillyCobs]

I've heard a myth that your birds HAVE TO breed and if you don't provide them with nests they will end up breeding in their feed bowl or whatever!! 🙄 This video was very helpful and full of information, Pickles was an amazing assistant bless 🤭💜x

[@BirdNerdSophie]

I’ve heard that a lot too! So silly! Animals don’t need to breed in order to live a fulfilled life! 💙

[@FATPINETREEICONGIRL]

Cute birds!♥️Thanks for the educational blog!💙

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@er1cf]

Super helpful video!! So many myths - some incredibly dangerous and tragic myths. I’ve heard a myth that parrots need a nest or cozy cubby to sleep in. I’ve learned this is not best practice and can trigger hormonal issues.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you 🤗 It’s a strange myth isn’t it, given that the overwhelming majority of parrot species just sleep on a branch in the wild!

[@VixenellaVanilla]

had my gcc when she was literally 29 days old, the breeder i got her from was really unethic since he insisted "i should wean it by hand feeding and if i dont prefer this option he was willing to do it, so, i brought her home and did the best i could. as you said, we have some behavioural problems but she's around almost age of 2 so, the terrible 2's i guess. but seeing that in almost all topics we're thinking the same way makes me relieved, so that looks like im not the crazy one. And, about the wingclipping. My girl unfortunately broke one of her wings while trying to catch a lemon, the broke wasnt that big tho. As soon as possible as i brought her to the vet (in first 48 hours) the vet told me that she broke one of her wings almost from its joint and started a fast recovery in this first 48 hours but she needs to be not moved, not flying either for at least 2 weeks. so i had 2 options, wing clipping and putting her into a small carriage cage. obviously, she already had a broken wing, clipping her wings won't make things easier for a sick bird, so i went with the small cage idea. again and again, always, choice is a important thing about our birbs. just wanted to share, probably lots of ppl wont be reading this anyway.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Thank you so much for sharing 🤗💙

[@vega4281]

I just got my young Quaker two weeks ago (hatched in Oct. 2024). He came to me with clipped wings. I was glad he was clipped. My house isn't that big, he could easily be hurt flying into things. I also have two dogs who I crate when he is out for obvious reasons. However, I also don't want him landing on the dogs crates if he was able to really fly. I understand why it's good to not clip them and let them fly, but it's not always practical in a lot of cases. He does take off once in a while, flies a short distance, and lands on the ground. Then he scurries back up my leg to return to my shoulder. If I had the right set up I would let him have wings to fly. He seems very happy and cheerful as he is. Also, as far as getting a second bird goes, do you recommend getting the same species or could it be a different species? I'm really interested in Indian Ringnecks too. Wondering if one would get along with my Quaker. Individuals I know, I just mean generally speaking *should* they get along? Thanks for the interesting video!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

The thing is that he could still land on the crates, but with impaired flying, he might not be able to get off safely! Similarly we wouldn’t change any other animal’s body, like a dog’s for example, to stop them hurting themselves during zoomies around the house! In terms of a companion, I would usually advise the same or similar species! Ringnecks are a lot bigger than Quakers so the beak size difference could be a safety issue if they aren’t supervised closely! 😊

[@vega4281]

@@BirdNerdSophie Thank you so much for responding!!! I guess it's me, I have this vision of him crashing into something like the tv or a window, lol. I'm going to let his flight feathers grow out and see how it goes when he's out. I figured you would say get the same species, I just wanted to make sure. That will be in the future, I'm still training and enjoying this new guy, Seamus.

[@davidraynorsnow]

I heard parrots bring infinite wealth lol

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Now that is 100% not true! Quite the opposite 😂😂😂

[@bashirthecrazybudgie295]

I wish 😂

[@er1cf]

@@davidraynorsnow this cracked me up 😂

[@TheSillyCobs]

Pickles pea 😍 Also I'm so excited to watch this in the evening (I'll try report back) lol✨

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Hope you enjoy! 😊

[@AnkiChurch]

Thank You , lovely video 🥰

[@BirdNerdSophie]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Lancs1812]

I continually comment on Instagram posts regarding wing clipping. I've had plenty of snarky remarks from people who advocate clipping. I will never agree with clipping.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

People will always find a reason to justify it and it’s rarely in the best interest of the bird 🙁

[@main1291]

Lovely Pickles is such a sweet cohost

[@BirdNerdSophie]

She’s the bestest bird!

[@davidraynorsnow]

Kept expecting you to say load of bollox lol

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Haha no swears on my channel 😂