Healing Wings: Celebrating World Parrot Day with Parrots for Purpose

a blue and white budgie holding a small square of paper in his beak

My budgie, Denny

Today, May 31st, is World Parrot Day. It’s a global day dedicated to celebrating the incredible intelligence, beauty, and emotional depth of these magnificent birds. First established in 2004 to advocate for the protection of wild and captive parrots, the day serves as a beautiful reminder of just how deeply connected we are to the animal world.

For me, this day holds a very special place in my heart, tightly intertwined with a creative journey that began a couple of years ago.

A Mission with Purpose

A couple of years back, I was approached by Michael, the inspiring founder of Parrots for Purpose—an incredible organization dedicated to bringing companion parrots into the lives of people navigating trauma, mental health challenges, domestic violence survival, and isolation. Michael had a vision: a series of middle-grade short novels that could introduce young readers to complex mental health and trauma concepts through the healing lens of bird companionship.

As someone who grew up loving a quirky cockatiel and who now shares a home with a cheerful little budgie, I jumped at the chance. While my own home is currently a one-bird story, diving into the worlds of larger, deeply sensitive parrots for this series has been an absolute privilege.

Meet the Books

So far, I have published three books in this special series, each focusing on a different bird and a unique journey of emotional healing:

Books 1 & 2: Feature the stunning, highly intelligent Eclectus parrot, exploring how their unique sensitivities mirror our own paths through tough emotional landscapes.
Book 3: Follows the vibrant energy of a Rainbow Lorikeet, bringing a splash of color and resilience to light.

Writing these stories has allowed me to combine a love for storytelling with real-world impact. Last year, I even had the honor of traveling up to the Gold Coast for the Parrots for Purpose art auction fundraiser. Spending the night chatting with readers, selling books, and seeing firsthand the community built around these therapy birds was a milestone I won't soon forget.

How You Can Celebrate Today

Parrots are incredibly empathetic creatures—they feel deeply, communicate socially, and form bonds that can genuinely transform human lives. Whether you are a bird owner or simply an animal lover, today is a perfect day to reflect on the ways animals help us heal.

If you are looking for a gentle, engaging way to talk about mental health and resilience with the young readers in your life, you can check out my parrot novel series.