If you’re a fan of "Wings ‘n Things" you’re also going to love our brand new bird and parrot show, "Bird’s Eye View" on Pet Life Radio! Avian veterinarians Dr. Laurie Hess and Dr. Michelle Ravich discuss more exciting bird and parrot topics in their new show! Listen to our preview, and check out Bird’s Eye View! In this week’s show, our hosts, bird specialist Dr. Laurie Hess and her associate, Dr. Michelle Ravich, will focus on why preventative medical care, including regular annual...

Baby birds are discussed in this Podcast as Robin meets with Josee Bermingham of Hagan Avicultural Research Institute. Robin talks with Josee about their weaning techniques and the unique way they socialize their birds at HARI.

This week Robin is joined by Mark Moore, co-owner of Hill Country Aviaries in Austin, Texas. Mark shares some of his techniques and tips for designing, building and outfitting a great outdoor aviary. Mark is chair of the publications committee for the American Federation of Aviculture and is instrumental in publishing the AFA quarterly magazine The Watchbird.

Interview with an aviculturist. This week Robin is joined by Rick Jordan, noted aviculturist and co-owner of Hill Country Aviaries in Austin, Texas. Robin and Rick discuss aviculture and some of the issues facing both the breeder and companion parrot communities.

After a summer of craziness and non-stop travel/work Robin had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. David Waugh from Loro Parque Fundacion in Tenerife, Spain. Join Robin and Dr. Waugh as they chat about the exciting conservation work being done at this amazing facility.

This week Robin is at the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth, MA. She is speaking with the director, Dr. Gregory Mertz, DVM. Dr. Mertz is also known as The Odd Pet Vet. In his practice at the wildlife center Dr. Mertz sees many companion parrots in addition to other exotic pets. During their discussion Robin and Dr. Mertz discuss common issues in parrots and parrot care. Some suggestions for preventative care are given.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.