In this Parrot Podcast clip, I’m chatting with Carlie (bird mom to three macaws—blue and gold, military, and scarlet—plus an African grey) about the stuff that trips up a lot of parrot households: biting, plucking, and what those behaviors are actually telling us. We talk through the “why” behind it—stress, unmet needs, and environment—and I focus on the evidence-based mindset I always come back to: observe patterns, rule out health issues, and build a plan that prioritizes enrichment and choice instead of punishment. We also zoom out into the bigger picture—parrot intelligence and what makes their brains so uniquely wired for complex learning, problem-solving, and social behavior. And since winter is a real challenge for a lot of bird parents, Carlie shares practical winter-care considerations for colder climates so you can keep your parrot comfortable and safe when temperatures drop. Finally, because ethical care matters, we discuss the impact of the pet trade on wild parrot populations and the kind of conservation work being supported through organizations like the World Parrot Trust.