PhoenixK (also known as "Pho," "Bob," "Shobana," and as many other names as it’ll take to outrun the FBI) has been a member of Tailfeathers since January of 2004 and a moderator since November of 2005. She is the proud mother of three ferrets, a cockatiel, and a timneh African grey. While growing up, she also cared for many other animals ranging from cats to crayfish, and she is the resident “Ferret Freak” of the Tailfeathers staff.
A native of Illinois, USA, PhoenixK is currently enrolled in her final year at the prestigious Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where she majors in illustration. Despite having actually used the excuse, “The bird ate my homework,” she has been able to retain a spot on the President’s List (Ringling School equivalent to Dean’s List) and is a National Dean’s List nominee. Parrots have been a common subject of her artwork.
Pho’s first introduction to the world of parrots was Ebo, her cockatiel. Due to his tendency to flirt with anything from feet to chicken strips, Pho founded the Losers Club on his behalf – an elite club which includes cockatiels and other parrots who have exhibited extensive “loserly” behavior. Since then, psittacine losers of all kinds have been celebrated throughout Tailfeathers Network, their loserly accomplishments shared and discussed with zeal.
Along with Taffywduck, PhoenixK has contributed an article centered on cockatiel body language, titled Avian Behavior Guide, as well as an article on teaching parrots to fly, titled Flight Training for the Clumsy Parrot. She and Ebo are also featured in Living with a Cockatiel by Sarah Williams, covering the chapter on behavioral issues. In addition to her written contributions, Pho has fostered and rehomed two cockatiels in need, and she constantly strives to help and educate fellow bird owners through her involvement at Tailfeathers Network.