Don’t know where to begin to learn more about your parrot? Robin Shewokis and Barbara Heidenreich share some of their favorite resources for parrot information. Having spent years doing their own research for information they provide a long list of trusted books, DVD’s, magazines, blogs, chat groups, internet resources, seminars and more for parrot enthusiasts.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Barbara Heidenreich and Robin Shewokis share highlights of some recent travels. Robin was busy socializing with the cream of the crop of the parrot world at Parrot Festival. Barbara played with gorillas, elephants, penguins, porcupines and parrots while consulting on animal training for a zoo. Get an insiders look at two very different working winter vacations for these animal enthusiasts.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s podcast, Robin chats with Kodi Pinnell. Kodi hails from Lindale, Texas and is a great role model for any young people who are considering parrot ownership. Kodi talks about his passion for parrots and the people who have helped him learn to be an exceptional parrot owner.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Do parrots exhibit height dominance? Are scarlet macaws truly nippy? Is it safe to give parrots the cardboard from paper towel rolls? These questions and more are discussed by Robin Shewokis and Barbara Heidenreich as they explore various myths and misconceptions about parrots.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Got a parrot that does everything in his power to avoid exercise? Then this podcast is for you. This week Barbara Heidenreich and Robin Shewokis discuss ways to get your perch potato moving. They also discuss some controversial methods parrot owners have been advised to use and the more trust building alternatives.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Foraging is a hot topic in the companion parrot community. This week Barbara Heidenreich and Robin Shewokis get creative with foraging ideas. They also share how to train your parrot to interact with foraging toys and why it is beneficial to get your parrot foraging.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s episode Robin sits down with noted scientist and author, Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Dr. Pepperberg shares anecdotes about her work and her time spent with Alex the African Grey.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Getting your parrot to present natural behavior in your home can include encouraging foraging behaviors, teaching your parrots to use their unique adaptations to expend energy, and capturing natural behaviors and putting them on cue. In this week's episode Barbara Heidenreich and Robin Shewokis shares ideas and suggestions for getting your parrot to act naturally.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Dr. Sharman Hoppes of Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center at Texas A & M University shares the exciting advances being made in Proventricular Dilitation Disease (PDD) research. This deadly disease has challenged the parrot community for years. Fortunately some recent discoveries are giving researchers hope that a definitive diagnostic tool will soon be available as well as optimism for the development of a vaccine.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

This week Barbara Heidenreich interviews field biologist Dr. Donald Brightsmith of Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center at Texas A & M University. Dr Brightsmith shares his experience studying wild parrots in Peru. His research has provided new insights into clay lick use, diet and nutrition and distances parrots travel in the wild. Listeners are also invited to join a research gathering expedition to Peru scheduled for January 2009.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

This week Barbara Heidenreich interviews Rebecca O’ Connor, author of “A Parrot for Life.” An accomplished writer and animal trainer, Rebecca shares stories about flying falcons, working with parrots and training cheetahs, as well as information on her nine books.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s episode, Robin talks with Philadelphia Zoo keeper and bird trainer, Catherine Vine. They discuss how to provide enrichment on a budget. Catherine also introduces us to one of her favorite projects, The Feather Distribution Project.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Finding someone qualified to care for your beloved parrot when you are out of town can be a challenge. Robin interviews Karen Anderson of Avian Suites, a professional bird boarding facility. Karen shares her advice on how to find a facility or person to care for your parrot and what you can do to make your birds boarding experience as positive as possible.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Training and enrichment can be and should be easy! Robin and Barbara explore ways to keep your training and enrichment program thriving even if you have little time, little finances and lots of birds.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Barbara and Robin discuss some tips to help you get off to a good start with your baby parrot. Those uncoordinated, yet curious babies have different enrichment needs from your adult parrot. They also present some excellent training opportunities due to an important sensitive period of development. Prevention of behavior problems is also explored, such as biting a bit too hard during play and exploration.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

This week Barbara and Robin discuss the many ways to keep your training and enrichment programs stimulating. Not only are there are a number of different senses to enrich, there are countless types of behaviors parrot caregivers can train. This episode is loaded with tips and ideas to ensure your parrot has a very rich and interesting life.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Sid Price is a professional bird trainer, President Elect of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and a regular contributor to online training discussions in the companion parrot community. He and Barbara chat about some of the hot topics in parrot training.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s episode Robin interviews bioacoustic researcher, Michael Schindlinger. Michael is probably best known for his field work with wild Amazons in the creation of the film Stalking the Wild Amazons. Robin and Michael discuss his findings and how they relate to caring for your companion parrot. Michael also shares an exciting ecotourism project that is helping parrots in the wild.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Vice President of the Parrot Society of Australia, Shane Hancock gives insights into the differences between aviculture in the United States and Australia. He also shares his efforts to get kids excited about birds via the very innovative “Fledglings” program.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Australian bird trainer Nicholas Bishop shares his love of birds and his ground breaking adventure training the highly endangered Spix Macaw for a medical procedure at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

So much to talk about…so little time! In this week’s episode Barbara and Robin discuss reinforcers for training and offer numerous suggestions for creating a vast menu of options for your parrot.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

Meet Einstein! A very articulate parrot who lives in Texas. To clarify….. this is not the Einstein featured on Animal Planet’s Pet Star, but she can give that one a run for her money. This chatty parrot runs through her vocabulary, including phrases such as “What does E=?” “Look at the grackle” and “Who let the dogs out? Who?” Barbara also interviews Einstein’s caregivers Marcia and Jeff to find out how they came to have such a special parrot in their home.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s episode Barbara and Robin tackle a widespread issue in the companion parrot community, Feather Destructive Behavior. They review some of the many causes and make suggestions for alleviating this very common behavior.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week’s episode Barbara and Robin discuss the often lamented challenge of the screaming parrot. Training and enrichment strategies that address this behavior are reviewed.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week's episode Barbara and Robin discuss choosing an avian vet and ways to build a relationship with that avian professional that will most benefit you and your companion bird. Some training techniques for preparing for the visit are also discussed.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com

In this week's episode the new hosts of Wings and Things Barbara Heidenreich of Good Bird Inc., and Robin Shewokis of The Leather Elves give an introduction of themselves and share some of their passion for training and enrichment.

Questions or comments? Email barbara@petliferadio.com or
robin@petliferadio.com