NMSU biology professor lends expertise to PBS documentary ‘Parrot Confidential’

Tim Wright, NMSU biology professor, searches for parrots in the tropical dry forest of Costa Rica. Wright will appear in the PBS documentary “Parrot Confidential.”New Mexico State University professor Tim Wright, who studies the genetic relationship of parrots and vocalization, will appear in an upcoming PBS documentary titled “Parrot Confidential” and airing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 on KRWG-TV.

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All this parrot has to say is 'Thanks for the ride'

Herb sits on his bike with Barney the Biking Bird near Cafe Hollander in Wauwatosa.When it comes to amazing feats by parrots, it's hard to top the fact that they can speak like humans. A bird opens its beak and out comes actual words and sentences. That would seem impossible.

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Parrot biting, body language and preventing the bite

Ouch? Christine with her Blue and Gold free flighted macaws.The parrot beak; formidable, powerful, dangerous, wondrous. And it hurts like crazy when it pierces our skin. Just why do parrots bite?  In the words of Susan Friedman, Ph.D, “Most biting, regardless of situation, is to remove intruding hands that cannot be removed any other way. Birds learn to bite to communicate 'no' because we don’t listen to lesser communications of 'no'.” I try to explain to people that every animal has a right to say 'no', so, if you don’t want them saying 'no' with a bite, what behavior are you willing to take?” 

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