I am Sarah, animal lover and parrot welfare advocate. This blog focusses on avian diet, nutrition, and welfare, taming and training tips, enrichment, parrot news, controversial issues, plus other stories and facts about pet birds. I’m not a professional (well, not exactly – I worked as a horse trainer and pro dog-walker for a number of years). But I am someone who has – in my own quest to learn all I can – amassed a lot of research on both animal training and parrot care.
Formerly, this blog was known as Students with Birds. I am no longer a student, however, and my life is no longer run solely by the birds (much as I’m sure they wish otherwise). Our new name reflects this: Three Birds and a Cloud; our goal to share all I’ve learnt remains the same.
The flock consists of three, at the moment: parrotlets Ptak and Tayir, and Senegal Parrot Maverick. You can read more about them on The Flock page. We also have rats, a cat, a cloud (Samoyed, yes), and the best dwarf hamster known to man. It’s a zoo in here!
P.S. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Remember to click on the sidebar to the right and enter your email, too, if you’d like regular updates!
Three Birds and a Cloud 
LOVE your blog! There are too few blogs focused on the most important species on earth IMO ;-). Thanks for writing! 🙂
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Why thank you! I agree, there aren’t enough – and I’m addicted to reading birdie blogs, haha. 🙂
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I am trying to find more birdie blogs….they make the best reading I agree! 🙂
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I keep trying to add a bit on my blog page with my favourite links (to birdie blogs, mostly), but I can’t figure out how. I did at least figure out how to link stuff, though, haha.
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Nice! I couldn’t figure it out either, so I added a text box and just hyperlinked them myself. But I have a lot more work to do on that section….
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Hello. I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Feel free to accept or decline. No pressure, no worries.
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Thanks for taking time to read and follow my blog! I hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by and following our blog. Personally, I get a bit freaked out by birds, but your advice is so clear and straightforward that I imagine it would be great for those who have their own feathered pets!
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Thanks for following my blog “Musings of a Horse Mom.” … My partner’s daughter is an exotic bird trainer at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, and before that she worked in the bird program at Edinburgh zoo for a year. This has given me more sympathy for our feathered friends and I’m fascinated watching the cardinals, blue jays and robins, etc. flitting around our garden in winter. … Thanks for sharing your passion … Dorothy 🙂
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Birds, especially parrots are the most fascinating creatures!
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I couldn’t agree more… I don’t think I could even pick a favourite species, to be honest!
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Love you blog! Your birds are adorable. Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you like Nemo and Mr. Pickles 🙂 xoxox
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Thank you for checking out my blog. Everyone locally who knows Taz is so intrigued with his personality. He’s been my boy and I would never change him. (Well, not much anyway) He’s all the bird I want and enjoy him tremendously. My heart goes out to those who can successfully handle multiple birds. Check back later for more pics. Tazzie is such a camera ham….
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You’ve been nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award 🙂 xx
http://sarahk18.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/the-beautiful-blogger-award/
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Aww, thank you! 😀 x
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Don’t mention it–your blog is great!
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Thank you for the comments and likes! Birds rule! And I am so jealous that you live in Scotland. One of the most beautiful places on Earth. I am so hoping to visit there one day 🙂
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It is very beautiful… and rainy. But worth a visit!
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I found your blog on Google and fell in love. Your birds are so adorable! I’m so glad I found another birdie blogger like me. 🙂
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Aww, thank you! I’m definitely going to have to check out your blog soon. 🙂
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A neurotic cockatiel! Hahaha. Funny! I used to have one as a kid that managed to coat the floor in seed shells everyday.
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Aww, that’s sounds like our Mishka. She is master of mess-making! Actually… I take that back; I think they all are, haha. Thanks for stopping by!
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You are welcome.
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Hello!
You liked my post about parrot shoes so I am visiting to say thank you- it is cool to read about your birdy life- so cool and different- you keep a lovely blog. I shall think of your blog and flock when I wear my parrot shoes in the future! Kate x
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Aw, thanks for stopping by! They were lovely shoes!
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Hello! Thank you so much for visiting my blog, for the like and I also really appreciate the follow! I can see why you would have liked reading about my daughter’s obsession with getting a Peach Faced Lovebird! Birds seem to be a running theme! I am intrigued by your beautiful blog and I look forward to reading more of your posts. Very interesting too, an American living with an Englishman in Scotland…love it 🙂
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Hi, thanks for stopping by! Lovebirds are incredibly cute, I love those little guys. They have huge personalities, too! Your daughter might be interested in a parrotlet – they look very similar, but if she’s willing to put up with typical small-bird nippiness (found in both birds), they are much quieter and have a lot of gorgeous colour mutations!
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Thank you for the great bird advice, I have never heard of a parrotlet but I will be sure to pass on the information! However, I think my daughter will have to wait until the day comes for her to have her own place before she gets her bird. I just think it would be too crazy in our little house at the moment!
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My name is Judy Hood, and I would like to adopt Bobo. I have had experience with umbrella cockatoos. His story moved my heart. I understand cockatoo behavior and nutrition. How do I adopt Bobo?
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Hi I have nominated you for the shine on award. I enjoy reading your blog so much.
Learn more here: http://ellemedit1234.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/shine-on-award/
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Hi Sarah, We met at the Phoenix Landing event in Fredrick. I’m sorry I lost your email address, but I remembered the name of your blog. It’s very well done! and I’m looking forward to adding you to our volunteer teachers. Hope to be in contact soon.
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Hi there! I think that yours work, trainig and life with birds is very authentic. I would be happy to send you a letter with my “problem”. I’ve could posted here, but I think it would be too long. Of course, concerns about the work, training and life with a bird which, by the way, is not a parrot … But here on your blog I can not find yours contact email address. My email address is aleksandarlogo@gmail.com and if you are able to contact me I’ll be very happy to presented to you my “problem” and hear what you could suggest me.
sincerely,
Alexander
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Hi, Alexander, I’m afraid that I don’t know what use I could be with a non-parrot bird, haha, but perhaps if you could give me a bit more information here, I could be of assistance, even if it is just to suggest a better place to search!
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Hi avianstudent!
I have pet raven…
All over the world, there is a huge amount of applicable information about life and work with dogs, parrots, falcons, eagles, owls, geese, cats, horses, rats, lizards, elephants, lions, dolphins, snakes, insects,etc … but, about life and work with the ravens has almost no any information. This information it’s looks more like anecdotes, rather than something that can be applied in practice.
I need to consult with someone and I am looking forward that someone will give me friendly advice, instruction, intentioned consultation, recommendations for reading, for thinking, for working, for training, for studying…etc, on „how to live and work” with the raven. Because, I know very well, only love for animals isn’t enough to solve “problems”.
My general, theoretical knowledge of ravens is very solid and, I belive, at an enviable level. But, my everyday life and work with the my raven still comes down mostly on my personal observations and treatments accordingly on that. I mean, until now I did’nt came across to some facts which provide me a deeper insight into the direction in which to do next in practical sense.
Please, help me if you can in any way.
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Wow! A raven, that’s pretty awesome, but I wouldn’t even know where to start, haha. The Fluff and Feathers group on Facebook has owners of all kinds of birds, perhaps someone there might have more of an idea? I started my blog because like you say, there is a LOT of info out there about parrots and finches; this became my place to record my research and present all the differing opinions to other owners. Perhaps you – with the opposite problem – would benefit from starting your own blog. I bet there are many in your same position. Your observations could really help someone. I wish I knew more to help!
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Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting on my cockatoo photo. This was one that used to visit our garden and “talk” to our dog. We had to give our inherited pet away to someone who could pamper her, but she is now in her late 40s and still talking up a storm.
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They live such a long time, don’t they? It’s too cute about visiting your garden. I dream of moving to Australia, where they are everywhere, and I can get my cockatoo fix without having to bring another into my home!
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Thank you so much for this Blog, my 22 year old cockatoo is a rescue bird and for months and days I’ve been looking for advice on how to get him to eat things other than peanuts (owners previous to me must have been feeding him lots of peanuts). Good news is hes moved onto eating cucumber! one step at a time.
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hello!
I just came acroos your blog and wanted to share this project with you all.
Its about a sound library of talking birds from all over the world for an operetta buffa work in progress… however for more info or on how you can participate just visit http://www.avesloquendi.org
thank you,
fa
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Seattle Kifujin has nominated you for a Liebster Award
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Forgot to leave you the link:
https://seattlekifujin.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/liebster-award/
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I live in Denmark and try to provide knowledge to pet parrotowners. I find your articles very exciting and I was wondering if it would be okay for me to translate some of them into Danish?
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May I ask where you got your one Parrot named Barney? By chance was his previous name Magoo? Looks just like my old bird. The cage and perch stick are identical. Just curious because the lady I sold him too back in 2011. Ive lost contact with. 😥 it wld be awesome if it’s him.
Email me if you’d like yjust320@gmail.com
Thanks Shellie
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I Hi! I run an animal blog and am always looking for reprints on topics that would educate and entertain our readers. Would you be open to my reprinting one or two of your fabulous articles? If so, please respond to my comment or email me. Thanks!
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Please contact via private email to your request and leave an email address to respond.
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I would love to contact Sarah via private email but do know not where to find it. My email address can be found near the bottom of this page: https://allisonsbookbag.wordpress.com/request-a-review/
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Sarah, I need help. I had an amazon parrot and he was awesome. My buddy. But times got haRd and I was ready to lose my car so I sold him . I know. I was upset for months. And have thought and talked about him often.well. I get a message wanting to know if I want him back it seams she can no longer care for him due to her health reasons and he is biting her badly. I jumped at the chance. He is no longer tame at all. He attack’s through the bars of his cage. But will let me feed him things he likes with no problem. I let him out to walk around on his cage . I made the mistake I guess of letting my dogs in from outside and he flew from his cage to me and bit my finger badly.. I managed to get him off me and return him to his cage but am afraid now to let him out. And I hate that he is always caged. I use to put him in my shower.had an outside cage for him so he could sit on the porch or under my tree. Please. Guide me on how to get him back. I won’t give up.but I can’t live wit just nubs for fingers. I need them. Please help. Jackie huber
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Jackie, I feel for you – truly and deeply. Parrots can be tough pets to own, especially Amazons. It’s springtime where I am, so I would evaluate hormones first and foremost (I have a blog post on here that goes into lots of detail on seasonal hormone management).
Tackle diet, amount of sleep, and exercise/mental stimulation first. Hands-off interaction only for now until things calm down. If an outdoors aviary isn’t an option, I’d get him a UV lamp, run that on a timer for 12 hours each day, with complete darkness at night for the other 12. Try to implement foraging opportunities to prevent boredom. You can also play a radio or TV, add tons of new toys into the cage, and try to offer a spray bottle bath through the bars. Limit shreddable materials that may sit in the bottom of the cage, as well as access to dark nooks and crannies, like big boxes, blankets, etc. I also taught my hormonal Senegal a fun game: hang on to his cage and flap his wings for exercise. This helps him.
If you need to transport him, I’d try to get your bird to step onto T-shaped perches instead of arms. This way you’re out of bite range. Sit by the cage while he’s in it, read aloud, and be calm and soothing. Pretend this is a parrot you just met. Earplugs may become your best friend. Give treats by dropping them into his food bowl if you worry for your fingers. Go slow.
You will need lots of little, positive actions to rebuild trust (having been moved, there is a lot of stress for your pet right now, and he probably is feeling very uncertain/unstable right now).
What you describe is common Amazon behaviour, unfortunately. A lot of people recommend clicker training, but once their hormones are like this, that becomes basically impossible without a nasty bite or three. The time for training (which you’ll use as a method to create lots more positive interactions) will come after you calm hormones.
I’d look up the Parrot’s Pantry and Feedingfeathers groups on Facebook. Diet is really the number one way to tackle behavioural issues with any bird. Too much energy from rich foods doesn’t help things. Avoid people selling any packages and whatnot that promise a quick, magic fix. It’s rarely that simple! Another helpful Facebook group: ABA Bev Penny’s Way. Be sure to go to your avian vet for a workup (research towelling your parrot prior, if you aren’t familiar), and ask about the issues you’re experiencing. Rule out any health issues. If all else fails, long term, there may be a possibility of hormone regulatory injections – but I’m personally not a fan of this unless it’s as a truly last resort.
Finally, I’d reach out to a local rescue or sanctuary for further advice (not to surrender, but to get the perspective of folks who deal with hormonal ‘Zons for a living). Knowing you’re not alone can help a lot.
I hope this helps – and good luck! No more nubs for fingers! Any more questions, feel free to ask.
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where does this stat come from…would love to use it, but need source. An astounding 75% of parrots living in captivity in the United States are living in less than suitable living conditions, and it has been estimated that the average parrot will have 5-10 homes in the first 7 years of its life.’
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