The Parrots’ Umbrella

09/05/2026

There is no room.

The enormous volume of unwanted parrots being fielded by the rescue community indicates an epidemic failure of parrots as pets. But whose failure is it, really? We as humans have done everything in our power to manipulate parrots and to alter and change them to fit better into our lives. Clip their wings and confine them to cages... Remove them from their families and from their flocks and instead try to fit them into ours... Reject their language and expect them to recite our words... Genetically alter their colors and the contours of their feathers to create designer birds... We render them utterly dependent upon us and then, when we find we cannot entirely eradicate the true nature of the animal, we abandon them. Some of these parrots will find their way to a sanctuary or rescue organization. Millions will not.

Photo 📸:

08/25/2026

The number one health issue in parrots that we see is diet and the consequences of bad nutrition. Check out this day long conference from Harrison’s and Texas A&M.

Interested in improving your knowledge of avian medicine and nutrition? Then join us to learn from the experts. This one-day, virtual symposium is designed for veterinarians ranging from those new to working with birds to those already holding board certifications. Students, technicians, scientists,...

08/24/2026

Huge news on the PDD/AGN front.

What if the next PDD breakthrough isn't a treatment?

We have several parrots at Papayago Rescue House living with PDD. So when new research about parrot bornavirus appears, we pay attention. Very close attention.

For a long time, the conversation around PDD has largely been about diagnosis and management: How do we identify it? How do we support the bird? What can we do when disease develops? Even what to call it.

But the science is beginning to ask bigger questions.
What if we could identify infection earlier?
What if we could distinguish more reliably between exposure, infection, and disease?
What if we could understand why one parrot exposed to parrot bornavirus develops devastating disease while another may remain clinically healthy?

And what if, someday, we could prevent the disease altogether?

That isn't science fiction anymore.

In 2026, the Association of Avian Veterinarians has funded a study to validate a novel PaBV vaccine approach in cockatiels, as well as research into rapid point-of-care serology for parrot bornavirus detection.

A newly published study also developed and validated an ELISA designed to detect antibodies to parrot bornavirus. In its validation work, the test showed 92.9% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity and may provide another tool for surveillance and identifying birds that have been exposed. However, this isn't yet a new clinical test that you can simply order from your avian laboratory.

And another 2026 study found PaBV-4 in five clinically healthy cage mates of birds suspected of having PDD.
That finding matters because it reinforces something we have to understand clearly: Being infected is not the same thing as having PDD.
That distinction is incredibly important for captive parrots.
It matters for individual birds. It matters for households. It matters for rescues.

And it matters for the future of parrot medicine.

At Papayago, our birds living with PDD aren't simply cases on a chart. They are individuals we know, care for, and watch closely. They are treated differently in that they are on a different management plan.

They are also part of the reason we care so much about where avian medicine goes next.

Because the goal shouldn't only be to become better at caring for parrots after they become sick.

The goal is to understand the biology well enough that someday, fewer parrots become sick in the first place.

That is what research does.

It takes the questions we can't answer today and turns them into the questions someone may eventually be able to answer.

And for the parrots living with PDD right now? We keep learning. We keep watching. We keep caring for them.

And we keep hoping that one day, the question won't be:
“How do we treat PDD?”
but:
“How did we prevent it?”

That is the future we want for parrots.

Sources:
Suksai P, Jala S, Meetipit P, Kongmakee P, Lertwatcharasarakul P. “Development and validation of an indirect ELISA based on recombinant N-P fusion protein for detecting antibodies against parrot bornavirus in psittacine birds.” The Veterinary Journal. 2026;317:106641. DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106641.
Deka P, Das S, Hazarika R, et al. “Molecular detection and characterization of Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) in captive psittacine birds in India.” Scientific Reports. 2026. (just for you my smart friend).

Pictured is Mango & Yoda, very young PDD + kids that need a great home that understands biosecurity and will be mindful to feed an excellent diet every single day. No days off. No "just this one time" with pizza, cheese, doritos, et al.

08/22/2026

Hey flock family,
Foster Parrots is asking for for photos and statements showing the conditions in bird stores, both CHAIN and PRIVATELY/INDEPENDENTLY owned.

IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THE STORE IS NOW CLOSED OR OUT OF BUSINESS.

They also need photos and statements of birds at BIRD FAIRS.
We are so past a captive bird crisis right now, that it’s in the rear window as we drive off a cliff. There’s nowhere to put them. They’re dying early and without adequate care and medical attention.
Please take a couple minutes of your time and send in your photos.

Foster Parrots is collecting photos and witness statements for the public campaign against the sale of birds in pet stores. Visit our activism page at buff.ly/6DaZunu to contribute a photo or witness statement and read the statements we’ve received so far, including first-hand accounts of abuse witnessed by pet store customers and employees.

08/20/2026

Much of the trade and exploitation has gone underground and online.

08/20/2026

This is what you’re contributing to when you buy from pet stores.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) first contacted 2 News Oklahoma in June asking for local news coverage of an undercover investigation revealing deplorable conditions at Creekside Birds, LLC a BREEDER in the town of Paden in Oklahoma
**1,400 birds found deceased over the course of 27 days**

This breeder is a contractor of PETSMART, PETCO, and PETLAND.

To date there is lack of subsequent criminal enforcement or seizure by local Okfuskee County.

Findings: Severe Overcrowding: Inspectors found over 10,000 budgies and parakeets, exceeding the facility's licensed capacity by roughly 1,900 animals.

Deplorable Conditions: Reports detailed multi-inch-deep piles of bird f***s, unwashed cages, and dead or decaying birds left unattended.
INHUMANE.

Euthanasia: Workers and documentation noted improper and cruel methods of killing sick birds that caused unnecessary pain and distress.

If you buy birds from breeders or pet stores, you are unknowingly paying for this.
If you continue to? You condone this.

https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/no-response-from-okfuskee-county-despite-usda-report-on-inhumane-conditions

08/20/2026

Anyone who’s spent 15 minutes around a cockatoo is not surprised. 🤣

A study from the University of Adelaide reveals that little corellas can quickly manipulate and remove fitted GPS tracking devices, highlighting challenges in animal tracking research.

08/05/2026

We are looking for a very specific home for this saucy Meyer’s.
He is the typical volume for a male Meyer’s, loves to fly and play with wood pieces. He picks one person and he is super sweet with that person, and that person MUST be a female, preferably with no other birds.
Zeus has made it very clear that he’s a woman’s bird and despite a truly wonderful, patient home that has firmly and consistently worked with him, we will not set him and humans up to fail. So, no males of any age. They have been working on the biting. His person won’t get bit, but others likely will if he feels he needs to defend his chosen one.
He needs someone who can read his body language, is happy and clear with boundaries, and will consciously create diet and environment that discourages hormonal behavior.
Zeus has such a big personality. He’s funny and busy, and he loves snuggles or just chillin next to his person. Scritches are his jam. That’s how he likes to be woken up every day, with a scritch on the head.
If you think you sound like the person described and think Zeus might be the one for you, give us an email or call.
Love life.
Love birds.

07/27/2026

Everyone needs to read this and sit with it before getting defensive or dismissive.
We can do better.

Experts assessed 27 parrot and toucan species and found that achieving good welfare for any of these birds in private homes is extremely challenging.