Papayago Rescue House, Inc.

Papayago Rescue House, Inc. An avian rescue focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, and rehoming of parrots. https://papayagorescuehouse.org/donate/

Mainly supporting Georgia communities with their pet birds and unique needs.

12/31/2025

We’re raising $13,740 to cover the increased costs of our new safe harbor as we head into 2026. This isn't just a donation; it's the "final shingle" that secures our stability. Be the reason we can focus on birds, not bills, this January.
Click the link below to give a one-time Bridge Gift! 🦜✨ https://givebutter.com/PRHBridge

Conures are playful, spirited, and full of life just like today’s chop! This colorful mix of mango, lentils, and zucchin...
12/30/2025

Conures are playful, spirited, and full of life just like today’s chop! This colorful mix of mango, lentils, and zucchini brings the perfect balance of flavor and nutrition for your curious companion.

Mango adds natural sweetness and a juicy burst of vitamin A for glowing feathers and healthy vision.

Lentils (cooked and cooled!) provide plant-based protein and fiber to keep those little bodies energized and satisfied.

Zucchini is hydrating, gentle on digestion, and full of essential minerals for daily wellness.

It's soft, balanced, and bursting with goodness, just like your favorite conure!

We want your feedback on one or more choices to ensure we are delivering content you wish to see in 2026 regarding the c...
12/29/2025

We want your feedback on one or more choices to ensure we are delivering content you wish to see in 2026 regarding the care and well-being of your parrot(s).

Over the past year, we’ve shared a lot, sometimes uncomfortable, often nuanced, and always centered on what parrots actu...
12/28/2025

Over the past year, we’ve shared a lot, sometimes uncomfortable, often nuanced, and always centered on what parrots actually need rather than what is easiest to hear. We’ve talked about behavior being communication, not defiance. About hormones, light cycles, safety risks hiding in plain sight, and why surrender can be an act of love rather than failure. These weren’t chosen at random. They reflect what we see every day in rescue and sanctuary, and what the science continues to reinforce.

One thing has become clear: parrots suffer most when we simplify them. When we reduce complex animals to “good” or “bad,” “easy” or “problem,” or when we assume love alone is enough. Education, especially evidence-based education, creates better outcomes for parrots and more sustainable relationships for the people who care for them. That is why we’ve leaned into topics that require patience, curiosity, and sometimes a willingness to rethink long-held assumptions.

As we look ahead to the coming year, our intention is to go deeper, not broader. Deeper into the science that informs care. Deeper into real rescue stories that don’t fit neatly into a feel-good box. Deeper into practical guidance that helps prevent crisis rather than respond to it. Tomorrow, we’ll share a short poll so you can help us prioritize where that focus should be, but today, we simply want to say thank you. Nearly 10,000 of you have chosen to engage with thoughtful, sometimes challenging conversations, and that tells us this community is ready for meaningful progress, not just cute bird pictures, albeit we have plenty of those too.

The parrots are counting on us to keep learning. We’re committed to doing exactly that, together.

Parrot Behavior Quiz: How Well Do You Know General “Bird” Behavior?1. Why do parrots often chew furniture, wood trim, or...
12/27/2025

Parrot Behavior Quiz: How Well Do You Know General “Bird” Behavior?

1. Why do parrots often chew furniture, wood trim, or household items?
A) To be destructive
B) Because they’re bored
C) Because chewing is a biological need
D) To get attention
➡️ Correct answer: C

2. A parrot that suddenly becomes nippy is most often communicating:
A) Aggression
B) Dominance
C) Fear, discomfort, or overstimulation
D) That it dislikes its owner

➡️ Correct answer: C
3. Which human behavior most commonly triggers hormonal behavior in parrots?
A) Talking to them
B) Feeding fresh foods
C) Petting the back, wings, or under the tail
D) Giving toys

➡️ Correct answer: C
4. What does it usually mean when a parrot pins their eyes (rapid pupil changes)?
A) They are sleepy
B) They are bored
C) They are emotionally aroused (excited or stressed)
D) They want food

➡️ Correct answer: C
5. Why is screaming a normal parrot behavior?
A) Parrots like noise
B) It’s how they manipulate humans
C) It’s a flock contact and communication behavior
D) It means something is wrong

➡️ Correct answer: C
6. A parrot that “chooses” one person and rejects others is often:
A) Being stubborn
B) Poorly trained
C) Displaying pair-bonding behavior
D) Naturally aggressive
➡️ Correct answer: C

7. Which enrichment best supports healthy parrot behavior?
A) Mirrors
B) Foraging opportunities
C) Constant physical affection
D) Free-feeding seeds
➡️ Correct answer: B

8. What does beak grinding usually indicate?
A) Hunger
B) Aggression
C) Relaxation and contentment
D) Tiredness
➡️ Correct answer: C

9. Why do parrots often dislike change (new toys, cages, rooms)?
A) They are inflexible
B) They are territorial
C) They are prey animals and wired to be cautious
D) They are spoiled
➡️ Correct answer: C

10. Which statement is most accurate about parrot behavior?
A) Parrots misbehave on purpose
B) Parrots need to be dominated
C) Parrots communicate constantly; if we learn to listen
D) Parrots outgrow problem behaviors
➡️ Correct answer: C

12/26/2025

Albert was not harmed while demonstrating his impressive “problem-solving” skills.
This is your friendly reminder that you can never leave a cockatoo in charge or unsupervised, no matter how confident you are that there’s “nothing they can get into.” There is always something.

Also worth noting: Albert did not complete the laundry he was assigned. We are still reviewing his performance. 😄

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from our flock to yours!
Our flock enjoyed their Christmas breakfast!

Parrots (but focusing on our friends the budgerigars) have endogenous circadian clocks, internal time-keeping systems go...
12/24/2025

Parrots (but focusing on our friends the budgerigars) have endogenous circadian clocks, internal time-keeping systems governed primarily by the brain (notably the pineal gland, hypothalamus, and retinal input). These clocks are plastic, not hard-wired to a geographic origin.

What does carry over genetically is the type of clock, not the setting.

What is inherited
Budgies evolved in Australia’s interior, where:
Day length changes seasonally
Light intensity is high
Dawn and dusk are gradual
As a result, budgies have:
Strong photoperiod sensitivity
A tendency to synchronize tightly with sunrise and sunset
Hormonal systems (melatonin, gonadotropins) that respond robustly to light cues

What is learned/entrained
From the moment a chick is exposed to light after hatching, its circadian system begins entrainment to:
Local sunrise/sunset
Artificial lighting schedules
Household routines (often problematically)

Within days to weeks, the clock fully aligns to the local environment, whether that’s Ohio, California, or New York.
There is no retained “memory” of Australia’s time zone or seasons.

Where people sometimes get confused
What can look like an “Australian clock” is actually:
A budgie’s evolutionary expectation of light quality and duration
Mismatch between indoor lighting and what their biology anticipates

For example:
Late nights under artificial lights
Inconsistent light schedules
Bright light after sunset
These can disrupt melatonin cycles and lead to:
Hormonal dysregulation
Chronic reproductive behavior
Sleep deprivation
Increased anxiety or reactivity

Why this matters in rescue and sanctuary settings
Budgies, and parrots broadly, thrive when:
Light exposure is consistent
Nights are truly dark (no TVs, lamps, hallway glow) except for cockatiels needing a black light if there is any possibility of shadows, movement, or light changes.
Seasonal changes are respected, even indoors

This isn’t about “Australia time.”
It’s about honoring a photoperiod-sensitive species whose biology still expects the sun to matter.

Cockatoos are curious, energetic, and full of personality so their chop should be just as vibrant! Today’s mix features ...
12/23/2025

Cockatoos are curious, energetic, and full of personality so their chop should be just as vibrant! Today’s mix features red pepper, kale, and a touch of mint for a flavorful, nutrient-rich bowl that supports their big moods and busy beaks.

Red pepper is bursting with vitamin C and beta-carotene to keep immune systems strong and feathers glowing.

Kale adds calcium and vitamin A for bone health and beak-to-toe wellness.

Mint brings a refreshing twist that can aid digestion—and many cockatoos love the scent and texture!

Serve it fresh, finely chopped, and watch your "too" dive into this bold blend with flair.

Dear Rescue,This is one of the hardest letters I will ever write.Please know that this decision did not come lightly, su...
12/21/2025

Dear Rescue,

This is one of the hardest letters I will ever write.

Please know that this decision did not come lightly, suddenly, or without a great deal of heartbreak. The bird I am bringing to you is not “just a parrot.” He is my friend, my family, my constant presence, and a piece of my daily life. Letting him go feels like losing a part of myself.

I love him deeply. I think about him every morning when I wake up and every night before I fall asleep, and countless times in between. I will always wonder if he is happy, if he feels safe, and if he knows how much he is loved. There will always be a parrot-shaped space in my heart that no one else can fill.

I am trusting you with something precious beyond words. I am trusting that you will see him for who he truly is: his intelligence, his sensitivity, his quirks, and his needs. I am trusting that you will listen to him when he speaks in the only ways he knows how. I am trusting that you will protect him, advocate for him, and honor the bond he is capable of forming.

Most of all, I am trusting that when the time is right, you will place him in the right home, not just any home. A home that understands parrots are lifelong commitments. A home that will respect his boundaries, meet his needs, and love him not for what they want him to be, but for who he already is.

I hope, more than anything, that this decision gives him a life with more stability, more enrichment, and more joy than I am able to provide right now. Even if it breaks my heart, I want what is best for him. Always.

Please take good care of my friend. Please speak kindly to him. Please remember that he came from love, and that he leaves behind someone who will always love and miss him.

With gratitude, trust, and a very heavy heart,
A devoted caregiver

Saturday Evening Post — Answer key & explanationsHere’s how each scenario is best handled, and why it matters.Respirator...
12/20/2025

Saturday Evening Post — Answer key & explanations

Here’s how each scenario is best handled, and why it matters.

Respiratory Clue
Correct Answer: C — Schedule an urgent vet exam
Tail bob = increased respiratory effort. Even mild signs warrant prompt evaluation by a vet.

Droppings Detective
Correct Answer: C — Check for watery foods
Fresh fruits/veggies can temporarily increase liquid content. If behavior is normal, this is the first thing to rule out.

Subtle Lameness
Correct Answer: B — Offer softer perches and monitor
Guarding without visible injury often indicates mild strain or pressure irritation. Softer perches protect the foot while you observe.

Weight-Change Warning
Correct Answer: B — Reweigh at the same time tomorrow
A single drop can be hydration or crop-empty timing. A consistent downward trend, especially in Greys, needs intervention.

Sneaky Symptoms
Correct Answer: B — Book a same-week vet appointment
Daytime sleepiness + slight fluffing are early illness signs. Budgies mask symptoms incredibly well, so timely assessment is key. Then put a heat source (we recommend and use Sweeter Heaters) on their enclosure so they can receive the warmth, should they want or need it.

Address

4462 Bretton Court NW
Marietta, GA
30101

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