Melissa – The Heart of Majick Feathers

Melissa’s Majick: The Woman Turning Parrots into Superstars

Some people love birds. Some people understand birds. And then there’s Melissa—who does both so well that she’s been called The Bird Whisperer.

Melissa’s lifelong connection with birds began when she was a teenager with a feisty little Peach-faced Lovebird that rarely left her side. That tiny ball of feathers set the stage for what would become a lifelong passion for parrots, training, and education.

But Melissa didn’t just stick with small parrots. In 2003, she and Nathan welcomed two larger-than-life personalities into their flock:
🖤 Horus – a majestic Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
🤍 Capone – a charismatic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Even back then, long before parrot harnesses were common, Melissa and Nathan were taking their birds out and about—strolling through markets, parks, and city streets in Brisbane with their cockatoos proudly by their sides.

Meet Melissa – Trainer, Bird Whisperer, and Parrot Advocate

From Call Centers to Cockatoos

Fast forward a few years, and life took Melissa and Nathan on a new adventure—moving to Tasmania. After spending a few years in Hobart, they eventually settled in Launceston, where Melissa took on a role at a large call center. Ten years later, she was ready for a break.

But instead of just taking a holiday, Melissa decided to treat herself to a dream she’d had for years—bringing home a Blue & Gold Macaw.

That’s when Apollo entered the picture.

Apollo was not your typical pet macaw. He wasn’t hand-raised or overly socialized—he had been parent-raised in an aviary. But on January 19, 2019, Melissa adopted the one-year-old Apollo and began working her training magic.

With patience, trust-building, and positive reinforcement, she helped Apollo go from an untamed young bird to the incredible, confident macaw that people see today. Even his breeder was blown away, calling Melissa The Bird Whisperer after seeing what she accomplished in such a short time.

Shortly after bringing Apollo home, Melissa faced a life-changing challenge—a breast cancer diagnosis.

During the difficult months of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Apollo became more than just a bird—he became her constant companion and emotional support.

Through all the ups and downs, their daily training sessions, games, and quality time together helped keep Melissa’s spirits high and her focus strong. Apollo wasn’t just learning—he was helping Melissa heal.

Finding Strength in Feathers

Mastering the Art of Bird Training

Majick Feathers: A Mission in Motion

As the founder and heart of Majick Feathers, Melissa’s mission is clear:

"To enhance and enrich the lives of parrots and their handlers through training and education."

Alongside Nathan (aka Pirate Nate Flaptasaurus 🏴‍☠️), she’s helping parrot owners everywhere embrace “Training Over Taming”, proving that a well-trained bird is a happy, confident, and engaged companion.

Whether she’s working with her own flock, coaching a new bird owner, or developing innovative enrichment products, Melissa is dedicated to giving parrots the best possible lives—one positive reinforcement session at a time.

🐦 Want to learn from Melissa? Stick around—Majick Feathers is just getting started! 🚀

Melissa’s passion for parrots didn’t stop at her own flock. She dove headfirst into formal animal training education, completing:

✔ Susan Friedman’s course on Applied Behavior Analysis
✔ Membership with the Animal Training Academy, where she continually expands her knowledge
✔ A Free Flight Training Certification with world-renowned Chris Biro, the #1 expert in Free Flight training

Using these advanced techniques, Melissa and Nathan have successfully trained Apollo, Bandit, and Luna for free flight, an impressive skill that requires trust, precision, and a deep understanding of parrot behavior.

But Melissa doesn’t just train birds—she helps people train their birds, too. Over the years, she’s worked with countless parrot owners, sharing her expertise and guiding them toward happy, healthy, and well-socialized companion birds.