Feathered Minds—My Parrot Blog

When I first brought Barry home, I lived on the internet. I devoured books, fell down parrot-care rabbit holes, and lurked on every bird forum that I could find. I was determined to give him the best life possible. 

But the deeper I dug, the more overwhelming it became. Everyone seemed to have a different opinion. Some said that tomatoes were deadly; others swore parrots love them. Some recommended “happy huts” as cozy homes; others warned they were an impaction hazard waiting to happen. Most of it was helpful, but some left me unsure of what to believe. 

I wanted to do the right thing, but there were moments I felt completely lost. What if I missed something important? What if Barry needed something I didn’t even know to look for? 

Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep following every stray opinion I came across. I had to change how I learned. Instead of reading everything indiscriminately, I started seeking sources that corroborated each other, focusing on careful, evidence-based research. I prioritized scientific research, expert care guides, and real-world experience from long-time parrot owners who backed their advice with evidence. I began weighing conflicting opinions, verifying information, and building a foundation rooted in careful, critical thinking. 

A year later, I wanted to share what I had learned (and what I was still learning) with the parrot community online. That’s when I created Feathered Minds, an educational parrot blog on Instagram. Today, it's home to over 45 posts, covering everything from nutrition and entertainment to quirky facts and behavior tips (with some guest appearance posts featuring Barry).  

Feathered Minds turned my curiosity into action: researching deeply, thinking critically, and translating what I learned into something shareable. It’s become a quiet record of growth, one post at a time.