A Brighter Future for Congos & Capes!

African Grey parrots are among the most recognizable companion birds in the world, but their intelligence, beauty, and popularity have also made them major targets of the illegal wildlife trade. In this two-part episode, Alexis and Avery examine the trafficking of Congo African Greys from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the devastating mortality behind wild-caught bird shipments, and the country’s recent move to ban parrot capture, sale, transport, and export. They also discuss how prospective parrot owners can avoid supporting unethical trade through careful research and responsible purchasing. The episode then travels to South Africa to spotlight the vulnerable Cape Parrot and the work of the Wild Bird Trust’s Cape Parrot Project . From restoring indigenous yellowwood forests and addressing disease and invasive species to community education and long-term conservation planning, this episode explores how protecting parrots requires protecting the habitats and people connected to them. Don’t forget our species spotlight featuring the Rüppell’s Parrot ( Poicephalus rueppellii )! Always Remember: Be kind to your Parrot, and it will be kind to you! — Links: Visit Us: https://www.parrotstars.com Parrot Stars on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parrotstars/ Parrot Stars on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parrot_stars Parrot Stars on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@parrotstars Cape Parrot Project Instagram: @capeparrotproject References: Animal Welfare Institute. “Commercial Pet Trade of Terrestrial Wildlife.” Animal Welfare Institute. https://awionline.org/programs/terrestrial-wildlife/commercial-trade/commercial-pet-trade-of-terrestrial-wildlife/ BirdLife International. “Tackling the Illegal Trade and Trafficking of Birds.” BirdLife International. https://www.birdlife.org/projects/tackling-illegal-trade-inc-songbirds/ Cape Parrot Action Plan Coordinating Committee. “Cape Parrot and Mistbelt Forest Action Plan.” https://www.capeparrotactiongroup.org/ Makal, Didier. “DRC Finally Moves to Protect African Gray Parrots from Unsustainable Trade.” Mongabay, September 23, 2025. https://news.mongabay.com/2025/09/drc-finally-moves-to-protect-african-gray-parrots-from-unsustainable-trade-didier-makal/ Pollock, Christal. “Understanding the Illegal Parrot Trade.” LafeberVet, April 20, 2013. https://lafeber.com/vet/understanding-the-illegal-parrot-trade/ Toft, Catherine A., and Timothy F. Wright. Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds. University of California Press, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520962644 Wild Bird Trust. “Cape Parrot Project.” Wild Bird Trust. https://www.wildbirdtrust.com/projects/cape-parrot-project ___ Support the Parrot Stars Podcast on Buzzsprout! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support Support the P