Hi. I’ve been a lurker on these forums for years now, and have always loved to hear other peoples’ opinions. I’ve been a member of other parrot forums as well. I made this account today to comment here. The one thing I’ve noticed is that these forums tend to be very judgmental, which is why I left parrotforums a couple years ago.
I’d like to clear up some myths said about Marlene and YouTubers in general. I cannot speak for Cesar because I’m not a dog owner nor do I watch his videos. However Marlene did appear to not understand Cesar when he was talking to her. I’m a parrot YouTuber like Marlene (however my channel is smaller. It’s Live Laugh Birds if anyone wants to see it) and I’ve not only met Marlene and seen her bird care, but I’ve adopted a bird from her. I don’t know if anyone here actually watches her but I adopted the budgie she was taking care of.
Now I realize that on the internet everyone will face criticism, but I had no idea members of this forum hated YouTubers so much. 1) what’s even wrong with that channel description? 2) do you watch Marlene’s videos consistently? 3) do you know how Marlene takes care of her birds? 4) and lastly, do you know how much effort gets put into making quality videos for people to watch on YouTube?
Like I said I’ve met Marlene in person AND have watched her since she started her channel 4 years ago.
Marlene would never take her birds outside without harnesses or cages. Her mustache parakeet Picasso who flew away was in a cage outdoors, and the cage wasn’t properly locked. Accidents happen. Did you even watch the videos?
Jersey the umbrella cockatoo came to her as a severe plucker as a rescue. She cannot fly at all because she has no flight feathers, so in that case there is no point of using a harness. Unlike with clipped birds who can still fly and should never be taken outdoors without a harness, Jersey has not a single flight feather.
Marlene DOES NOT advocate for birds to be free in the house “cage free” as in no cage at all. Of course she keeps her birds in cages when she leaves the house and at night. She advocates for letting birds be “Engaged Not Caged” as much as possible and to keep parrots mentally stimulated.
Yes Marlene is an actress but what is wrong with that?? Can’t you love parrots and be an actress at the same time? She also never claimed to be a professional trainer, unlike BirdTricks or Parrot Wizard.
Her parrot food is a blend of Tops pellets and healthier seeds and grains. What’s wrong with that? Marlene is an advocate of variety, which means that of course she doesn’t want her food to be the only thing birds eat. Her own birds eat lots of vegetables every day.
Marlene is in no way a hoarder. All of her parrots are rescues except for one. She rehomed her budgie to me because she knew she’d be happier in a flock with smaller birds. She individually loves every one of her birds so much.
So yeah, sorry I had to come in but this thread really bothered me. Feel free to share opinions respectfully. Have a great day with your birds
