The Georgia Aviary

02/06/2025

Parrots Deserve More Than an Impulse Purchase 🦜❌

At The Georgia Aviary, we believe that parrots are intelligent, complex, and long-lived creatures that should never be sold on impulse—yet that is exactly what happens in many pet stores.

A new bill in Rhode Island (H5214) seeks to ban the sale of parrots from brokers and breeders to pet stores, instead allowing stores to source birds from rescues and sanctuaries. The goal? To reduce the overwhelming number of surrendered parrots that end up in sanctuaries when their owners realize they cannot meet the birds’ complex needs.

Parrots like Macaws and Cockatoos can live for decades, forming deep bonds with their owners. But when these birds outlive their humans—or when their loud voices, intense social needs, or destructive behaviors become overwhelming—many are given up, neglected, or abandoned. Sanctuaries across the country are overflowing with surrendered birds, some of whom have nowhere else to go.

This bill aligns with our mission at The Georgia Aviary to educate the public about the realities of parrot ownership and to promote responsible adoption rather than impulse buying. If passed, it could be a game-changer in preventing birds from becoming disposable pets.

We stand in support of this kind of legislation. Parrots deserve homes that understand and respect their needs—not cages in pet stores waiting for an unprepared buyer. 🦜💛

Let’s keep the conversation going! What do you think about this bill? Would you support similar legislation in your state?

02/04/2025

Exciting New Discovery in Cockatoo Science! 🦜🔬

A groundbreaking new genomic study has revealed that what was once thought to be subspecies of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) are actually three distinct species! Researchers have confirmed that:

✅ Cacatua galerita (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo) is native to Australia and southern New Guinea.
✅ Cacatua triton (Triton Cockatoo) is a separate species found across most of New Guinea, not just a subspecies of C. galerita.
✅ Cacatua sulphurea (Yellow-crested Cockatoo) remains critically endangered with fewer than 2,000 in the wild due to illegal trapping.

This discovery has major conservation implications—ensuring proper reintroduction efforts and preventing hybridization that could harm wild populations.

Interestingly, in my 2023 book, Of Crests and Curiosities: The Fascinating Life of Cockatoos, I already recognized Cacatua galerita and Cacatua sulphurea as distinct species. However, with this new research, I’ll need to update the book’s 2nd edition to reflect Cacatua triton as its own species rather than a subspecies of C. galerita!

Science is always evolving, and I love seeing new research shape our understanding of these incredible birds.

Let’s celebrate this discovery and continue advocating for the protection of these amazing parrots! 💛🐦

https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2025/01/29/three-for-the-price-of-one-genomics-reveals-three-distinct-cockatoo-species/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3xa5nxrSy3DZ1nkBjNYc6iamIZIh6q0VMVdxz82tzuhcwjW70UMhv6B44_aem_YjUXNR8smm4oSCLx_pdhUA

An international collaboration of scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could positively impact the conservation of three iconic yellow-crested white cockatoo species.

11/25/2024

GA PSA:
FOUND: BUDGERIGAR/PARAKEET
NOVEMBER 25TH 2024
Historic Old Fourth Ward Park, midtown Atlanta, near the intersection of Angier Ave NE and Ashley Ave NE.
COUNTY: Fulton
CONTACT: PAPAYAGO RESCUE HOUSE
(678) 346-5217
Little one is resting comfortably with PRH. Please share.

Thank you.