About Me

Hello! I’m Sophie, also known as BirdNerdSophie – here’s a little bit about me:

I’ve been working with birds since 2009, and I’ve had the opportunity to care for so many incredible species over the years. Some of my favourites have included: laughing kookaburras, blue and gold macaws, Humboldt penguins and domestic chickens!

I graduated from university in 2014 after studying a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare specialising in birds, and achieved a First Class grade. Prior to this, I studied a National Diploma in Animal Management and earned a Triple Distinction grade.

After many years of valuable volunteering placements, I have had a varied career in the animal care sector. Some of my roles have included being a: Zoo Keeper, Zoo Presenter, Animal Care Lecturer, Veterinary Care Assistant, and Head of Birds at a farm park.

At the end of 2019, I decided to finally take the plunge and start a YouTube channel called BirdNerdSophie which has been a dream of mine for many years! I love creating content which can educate and inspire people to improve the standard of care for their pet parrots.

In 2020, my partner David TheParrotTeacher and I created our parrot behaviour and training consultancy Best Behaved Birds where we work with parrot owners globally to resolve undesirable behaviours such as screaming, biting, feather plucking and improving general husbandry.

I am very lucky to have a wonderful growing flock of parrots, currently made up of cockatiels, crimson bellied conures and green cheeked conures!

Our dream is to one day open a parrot rescue centre where we can offer some of the thousands of unwanted parrots a permanent, loving home! We would also hope to teach at the rescue centre by educating current and future bird keepers about the most up to date husbandry and welfare standards for keeping pet birds.

Continuing my education and professional development is very important to me – I recently completed a Certificate in Animal Nutrition with a focus on parrot diets, and I am a Professional Member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE).

In 2024, I became a Certified Professional Bird Trainer (CPBT-KA) with the International Avian Trainers Certification Board (IATCB).