Papayago Rescue House, Inc.

What does science say about Parrot Welfare?

At Papayago Rescue House, one of our core values is continuous learning. As new research is published, we believe it's our responsibility to ask, "How can we use this for the parrots in our care and influence?"

A recent peer-reviewed study published in 2025 caught our attention because it asked an important question: How do we know if a companion parrot is truly thriving?

To answer that question, researchers didn't rely on just one expert's opinion. Instead, they used a research method called the Delphi process.

The Delphi process brings together a panel of experts who independently evaluate a topic over multiple rounds. After each round, they review anonymous feedback from the group and refine their responses until they reach a consensus. It's a thoughtful way to combine the knowledge and experience of many experts, rather than relying on a single perspective.
Using this process, the researchers identified 73 science-based welfare indicators that can help us better understand and evaluate the well-being of companion parrots.

Over the coming weeks, we'd like to explore these indicators with you every Monday. We'll look at each category, discuss what the research tells us, and talk about how these indicators may appear in the lives of the parrots we share our homes with. Along the way, we'll also share examples from our own experiences at the rescue and invite you to share yours.

Today, we'll begin with what the experts considered one of the most important categories: Behavioral Indicators.

We often pay the most attention to behavior when something seems wrong. This research encourages us to also pay attention when things are going well. Behaviors like exploring, foraging, playing, resting comfortably, and making choices can tell us a great deal about a parrot's welfare.

Researchers highlighted both the absence of abnormal behaviors and the presence of positive, species-appropriate behaviors as important indicators. In other words, good welfare isn't simply about preventing undesirable behaviors; it's also about creating opportunities for parrots to forage, play, explore, make choices, interact socially when appropriate, and express the behaviors they evolved to perform.

That idea led us to an interesting question. Many of us can recognize when a parrot appears stressed or unwell. But what behaviors tell you that a parrot is truly thriving?

We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts and learning from your experiences as we work through this research together over the coming weeks on Mondays.

Reference: Piseddu, A., van Zeeland, Y.R.A., & Rault, J.-L. (2025). Evaluation of welfare indicators for companion parrots: A Delphi consultation survey. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 283, 106526.

"Good words do not last long unless they amount to something."

Those words, attributed to an ancestor of this land, have stayed with me for years.

Every day, we hear words of love for parrots. We hear outrage over neglect, prayers for abused birds, and promises that "something should be done."

Words matter. They can change minds.

But changed minds must become changed actions.

Words alone have never cleaned a cage, paid for a veterinary exam, prepared a nutritious meal, built a safe disabled bird's cage, or helped a frightened parrot learn to trust again.

Those of us who choose to act will make mistakes. Every rescue, every caregiver, every advocate will. But mistakes made while working to improve a parrot's life are opportunities to learn, grow, and do better.

If we want a different future for parrots in captivity, we must become their stewards, not by blaming or shaming others, but by practicing better actions ourselves. Learn. Volunteer. Donate. Foster. Support evidence-based care. Share accurate information. Help someone become a better caregiver.

Words can change minds. Changed minds change actions. Actions change lives.

So don't let your compassion end with a comment, a like, or even this post.

Find a parrot rescue in your community. Give an hour or two. Give your skills. Give your voice. Give what you can.

Because the parrots don't need our sympathy nearly as much as they need our actions.

Every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to change a life.

Just because they're small doesn't mean their nutrition should be! This colorful chop for budgies, lovebirds, parrotlets, and other little parrots features cooked quinoa, blueberries, and zucchini for a balanced mix of flavor and nourishment.

Quinoa provides complete plant based protein and essential amino acids to support active little bodies. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that help support immune and brain health, while zucchini adds hydration, fiber, and a mild flavor that blends beautifully into chop.

For small parrots, variety is key. Different colors, textures, and nutrients help encourage natural foraging behaviors and make mealtime more engaging. After all, the smallest birds often have the biggest opinions about what's in their food bowl!

Case Snapshot

Species: Male Cockatiel
Age at intake: 6 months
Time with surrendering family: Several months
Previous homes: None
Source: Breeder

Why this bird came to us
Surrender reason reported by caregiver: "Aggressive behavior."
Living environment: bedroom

At intake
Health: 79 grams w/body score of 4/9
Entered quarantine according to intake protocols.
Behavior: Curious, playful, exploratory
Diet history: Primarily seed-based diet with millet and fruit.

The work we did
Veterinary examination
Infectious disease testing
Baseline bloodwork
Transition to a balanced pellet and fresh food diet
Positive reinforcement training
Choice-based handling
Flight conditioning
Environmental enrichment

How things changed
Achieved healthy weight gain
Demonstrated confidence and enthusiasm during training sessions
Regrew functional flight feathers and developed flight skills

Where they are now
Status:
He remained with his adoptive family for nearly nine years before being returned after the daughter, his primary caregiver, grew up and moved away. His return reminded us that parrots often outlive childhood, changing family circumstances, and even life stages.

What this case taught us
Behavioral labels such as "aggressive" often reflect a bird's environment, communication, or unmet needs rather than its personality.
This case led us to permanently add the question "Is this bird intended for a child?" to our adoption process.
Rescue doesn't always end at adoption. Sometimes our greatest lessons come years later.

This case is representative of situations we encounter in rescue. Details have been modified to protect the privacy of those involved. It is shared to educate, not to judge.