We're Having a Contest. Our First Ever!

Here's your chance to win fame and fortune! Well, at least fame anyway. And some nifty prizes. We're looking to update our logo for the Parrot Wranglers trade association: the International Parrot Wranglers Association. Oh, and the winner will receive an honorary lifetime membership in the International Parrot Wranglers Association. Not a parrot wrangler? Not to worry. We'll make you an honorary Parrot Wrangler. We just need your graphic arts expertise.


Wait, there's more! The winner will also receive a couple of embroidered shirts from Seattle's Parrot Cafe, as well as one of our new TheParrotCafe.com caps:

A Parrot Cafe tee-shirt from Seattle's original Parrot Cafe

(size Large only, various colors)

One of our new TheParrotCafe.com tee-shirts

(size Large only, color Stone)

And last, but not least,

One of our new TheParrot Cafe.com caps

(one size fits all, color Khaki)

So here's the contest details: We need you to start with this photo of the International Parrot Wranglers Association mascot, our male Blue and Gold macaw Aboo. Aboo is a cowboy in every sense of the word, and a perfect parrot to serve as spokesparrot for the International Parrot Wranglers Association and model for our new logo.

Just right-click on the image to download a copy of the photo, or message us and we'll email you a jpeg format copy.

The new logo for the International Parrot Wranglers Association needs three elements added:

A Cowboy Hat!

A Lariat!

And Every Modern Cowboy Needs a Pair of Sunglasses!

Of course, these are just examples. We know that you can come up with better artwork, and the winning entry will be the one that utilizes the three elements on our spokesparrot in the most creative fashion.


The completed entry must be submitted in a jpeg format file. Of course, all entries become the property of the International Parrot Wranglers Association and The Zen Parrot. We don't know when the winner will be declared, but we'll know the winning entry when we see it. And then we'll declare a winner.

Good Luck! And Happy Trails!

Our Flock: Our Goffin's Cockatoo: Kid Kadra: Acrobat and Showoff!

Hatched in 1994, one of a clutch of three, Kid Kadra is a fifteen year old DNA sexed male Goffin's Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini), with the typical Too attitude! Kid Kadra was raised by his original owner, Martin Maurer, a personal friend, who considered Kid Kadra more like a service animal, carrying him on his shoulder virtually wherever he went. We once saw Martin parked at a gas station, pumping gas, with Kid Kadra sitting on his shoulder!

Kid Kadra joined our flock in 2005 under the most unfortunate circumstances, with the untimely death of his owner, who had a history of serious illness. Apparently traumatized by the sudden death of his original owner, Kid Kadra was comatose for about two weeks, barely eating, let alone moving.

Eventually Kid Kadra survived and adjusted to his new life with The Ballard Rain Forest. His Too personality slowly flowered and showed his true talents. For obvious reasons, Martin had kept Kid Kadra's wings clipped, but we allowed Kid to grow his flight feathers out. We keep all of our flock flighted. Slowly but surely Kid Kadra realized his talent for flying. Starting with short hops from cage to playstand, Kid started flying across rooms, then around rooms, then from room to room. Eventually he discoved this rain forest has a basement, so he even started flying from floor to floor!

Kid Kadra showing off for our Greenwing Macaw and Diva parrot Roxanne!

Kid Kadra chose our first Congo African grey parrot Corky to focus his attention on, and quickly became Corky's nemesis. Corky flew like a lead balloon, so was forced to chase Kid Kadra around on the floor. Kid would simply hop out of Corky's way, surely aggravating him! As his flying skills improved, Kid Kadra turned his attention to the macaws, not in the least scared off by their size. For whatever reason, Kid became infatuated with our Greenwing macaw Roxanne, but he found the tails of the other macaws irresistible. Kid Kadra harasses our male Blue and Gold macaw Aboo to no end, but wisely avoids our Alpha parrot, Miss Bubba Boy.

Kid Kadra loves to fly, and is a true acrobat. Kid can fly circles around our other parrots, and knows that he can. Therefore, he does! As mentioned above, he flies from floor to floor. Only our newest parrot, our Timneh African grey Tillie, does that as well. Kid also flies for the sake of flying. Kid will jump off the top of perches, dive to the floor, and do barrel rolls. Kid will wait for us to walk across the floor, so he can dive bomb us and brush the top of our heads with his feet. And if one of the other parrots takes flight, Kid will fly down and chase the other bird.

Kid Kadra loves to bathe, sitting on the shower rail and getting misted with a spray bottle. Kid loves to come into the bathroom when we shower, and begs us for baths, and would probably take a bath every day given the chance. If all else fails, on a hot summer day, Kid will sit in the water dish with his wings draped over the sides.

Training Your Parrot To Fly In Place

Parrot wranglers and stunt parrots know that a good cardio workout is crucial for proper parrot conditioning and exercise! One of the best cardio workouts for a bird is flying. Considering that it's much safer to fly a parrot indoors rather than outdoors, even with limited space, a parrot can learn to fly in place. Just park your parrot in front of a computer and watch this video of our original stunt parrot Princess Tara demonstrating flying in place.

Just as an aside, our Goffin's Cockatoo Kid Kadra learned this technique simply from watching Princess Tara in action! Endorsed by the International Parrot Wranglers Association and the Parrot Wranglers Academy.

Training Your Parrot: Basic Parrot Yoga

Stunt parrots and parrot wranglers know that proper conditioning is important for staying in shape and avoiding injury while working those strenuous days on film and video sets. One of the most effective conditioning tools is practicing yoga. Even big and tough NFL football players practice yoga. So if your parrots aren't into yoga yet, here's your chance!

Both the International Parrot Wranglers Association and Parrot Wranglers Academy endorse parrot yoga, and are pleased to sponsor this segment!

Now For A Word From Our Sponsor

Our spokesparrot and Timneh African Grey Tillie wants to say a few words on behalf of our sponsor, The International Parrot Wranglers Association and Parrot Wranglers Academy:

Training Your Parrot: Handling Macaw Beaks

Macaw parrot beaks can be scary and intimidating to the uninitiated parrot owner! And they should be! Macaw beaks can generate anywhere from 200psi to 300psi of pressure depending upon the species of macaw parrot. We at The Zen Parrot have produced a new Training Your Parrot YouTube video: Handling Macaw Beaks. With this introduction to the Parrot Wranglers Academy, you too can become a certified Parrot Wrangler and safely handle macaw parrot beaks with the best of us! Just remember, don't try this at home unless and until you become a professionally trained Parrot Wrangler like we are!

Currently the Parrot Wranglers Academy offers an online specialization in Macaw Management. In the very near future, the Parrot Wranglers Academy also plans to offer online tracks in Cockatoo Coralling and African Grey Linguistics. But wait! There's more. With graduation from the Parrot Wranglers Academy, you are automatically enrolled in the International Parrot Wranglers Association. Stay tuned for more information.