On the Cover: Find Your Family with Fancy Feathers

By Kristen Eleveld

Since 2006, one local avian expert has spent her days doing what she loves most: training and teaching parrots. But Brenda Bean, who has devoted much of her life to understanding these majestic animals, is not content to just be the foremost parrot expert in Gwinnett County. One of her other passions is sharing the birds she has grown to know and love with the community around her. Whether you are looking for a potential pet, need some advice on caring for your parrot, or just want the chance to see these parrots at a birthday party, Brenda and her team can do it all.

“I love that more and more people are becoming familiar with the amazing intelligence of these animals and their ability to bring human joy and companionship while enjoying human company,” said Brenda. “It feels amazing when we sell a bird to a person and I realize they will love it for years to come.”

If you were to visit Fancy Feathers or look for Brenda in the Gwinnett area, you would find her with her husband Jack Bean either training their birds, showing off their talents at events or parties, or, one of her biggest passions, educating her customers.

“I want my customers to realize these birds are not toys,” she said. “They are more intelligent than cats or dogs, and they require true care that includes their need for companionship, not just food, water, and housing. And these birds need love. Snuggles. Laughter. Praise. And purpose.”

Along with ensuring that each of her feathered friends finds the right forever family, one of Brenda’s favorite parts of the job is taking her parrots to perform at a birthday party or fun community event as Parrot Productions. One of her parrots, often seen at parties, has learned to sing

“Happy Birthday” and will even wish you a Merry Christmas! Another uses its feet to wave goodbye to you, much like a small child might do. In fact, Brenda notes that these birds are probably about as intelligent as an average five-year-old, which means they can learn quickly and even experience emotions.

“My favorite events are the corporate and family events,” Brenda said. “There, I am blessed to watch a child’s face struck with amazement and see the adults that love that child watch as a ‘first time holding a parrot’ unfolds before their eyes. Sometimes, the amazement turns to an obsession, and I am asked to return year after year as the child grows up.”

Brenda and her team at Fancy Feathers also spend a lot of time working with families to determine if a parrot is a good fit for them. Since these birds can live anywhere between thirty and one hundred years, it’s important to Brenda and her team that each potential new family understands the commitment they are undertaking. Luckily, once a parrot and a family do find the right fit in each other, the team at Fancy

Continued on page 9