From a cultural perspective, parrots and pirates go together like peanut butter and jelly. But why do we associate one with the other?

The image of a pirate with a parrot perched on his shoulder is one of the most enduring tropes in Western popular culture. From Treasure Island to Pirates of the Caribbean, from literature to film, theme parks, and even sports mascots, the association between parrots and pirates is now so ingrained that it feels almost historical. But where did this connection actually originate - and how accurate is it?

In this episode, we examine the historical, literary, and cultural roots of the parrot–pirate stereotype. Drawing from primary accounts of 17th-century Caribbean raids, the journals of Christopher Columbus, early travel narratives, and maritime trade records, we explore how parrots entered European awareness as exotic commodities through exploration, colonization, and piracy. We then trace how these real-world encounters were absorbed and amplified by literature, particularly in Robinson Crusoe and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, before becoming permanently embedded in popular imagination through modern film, animation, and entertainment.

We also address the historical ambiguity surrounding actual pirate ownership of parrots—what evidence exists, what is speculative, and why the trade in exotic birds made parrots accessible to sailors, privateers, and pirates alike. By situating parrots within broader patterns of early modern global trade, colonial spectacle, and the European fascination with the “exotic,” this episode reframes a familiar cliché as the product of very real historical forces.

Rather than asking whether pirates really had parrots, we ask a more revealing question: why did this particular image endure, and what does it tell us about exploration, empire, and the stories we choose to remember?

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Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the phenomenal things happening at Parrot Stars!

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Getting a new parrot is such a special and exciting thing. It can feel like your world has opened up to experiences you’ve never known before. Your newfound joy might make the idea of getting a second bird appealing. Or, perhaps you’re beginning your parrot ownership journey and wondering if it would be better to get two birds at the same time instead of just one.

We’re here to encourage your enthusiasm and boost your knowledge so you can make an informed decision as to whether getting a second parrot could be right for you and your family.

Parrots are highly social creatures, and for many, life truly is better with a companion. Adding another parrot to your home can greatly enhance their mental and emotional well-being — but only when it’s done with care and intention. It is absolutely feasible when you take into account the additional investments you’ll have to make and the needs of the bird already in your life.

In this episode, we explore everything you need to know about deciding whether it’s the right time to introduce a new parrot to your household. We’ll also talk about the importance of understanding your own capacity as a bird caretaker. After all, those good times will quickly disappear if you take in more birds than you’re prepared for.

So, join us as we dig into the science of bird bonding, understanding how your bird’s life in the wild influences responsible bird care, and what considerations must be made when adding a second feathered friend to your home.

Links:
Visit Us: 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
Support the Parrot Stars Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support

Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the phenomenal things happening at Parrot Stars!

Enjoy the episode? Download each one and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review! Your support helps us with everything we do and we genuinely appreciate it.

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Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Learn more about Parrot Stars and shop online at parrotstars.com

Check out Season 4 Episode 9 of the Parrot Stars Podcast: Holiday Bonus Episode!

This bonus episode of the Parrot Stars Podcast is your go-to guide for celebrating the holidays with parrots safely and joyfully—starting with why parrots should never be a surprise gift. Hosts Alexis and Avery cover the biggest seasonal hazards (trees, lights, tinsel, candles, essential oils, chocolate, wrapping chaos, guests, and noise), plus easy, practical steps to keep your birds calm and protected.

Then they’ll flip the fun switch with bird-safe decorating ideas, foraging games, DIY “Parrot Christmas Morning” traditions, and gift inspiration for both birds and the people who love them. Along the way, they’ll share a cozy Parrot Stars year-in-review, a heartfelt reminder of what parrots mean to our homes, and a sprinkle of holiday bird fun facts—before wrapping up with goals for the new year and a warm thank-you to the whole flock.

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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/channel/UCgFfC9b7d9Vp94TurLeroOQ

Support the Parrot Stars Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2376122/support

Follow the Parrot Stars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Watch the video content on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok for regular updates about all of the phenomenal things happening at Parrot Stars!

Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! We are also accepting donations at the link above. Your support helps us with everything we do, and we cannot thank you enough for it.

Send us a text

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Learn more about Parrot Stars and shop online at parrotstars.com