By Michelle Edgar
Chan Quach, widely known as “Chan the Birdman,” is redefining how Los Angeles understands and cares for birds. A professional avian behaviorist and free flight trainer, Quach leads the Avian Center for Enrichment, a nonprofit focused on advancing bird welfare through education, behavioral training, and public awareness. His work challenges conventional pet ownership, urging a shift toward stewardship rooted in respect, enrichment and long term care.
Through a new partnership with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation, Quach is preparing to expand that mission across the region, launching public education programs on conservation, nutrition, behavior and responsible ownership.
High above the streets of Los Angeles, his work is already visible. A flock of macaws cuts across the skyline at speeds approaching 35 miles per hour, bright flashes of red and gold moving between buildings before circling back to land on Quach’s arm. The sight regularly stops traffic, drawing crowds and curiosity.
For Quach, those moments are not about spectacle, they are about connection. His approach first gained attention years ago on the San Francisco waterfront, when his birds took flight along the Embarcadero and were spotted by a National Geographic photographer, who followed their path back to him.
Quach’s path to this work began far from Los Angeles. Raised with a deep sensitivity to nature, he recalls his first pet as a chipmunk that made his home inside his family’s sofa, an early experience that shaped his understanding of how animals interact with their environments. He later became a public school teacher, working in a low-performing district where he focused on creating safe, inclusive classrooms. “I never looked at their past records,” he said. “Because the moment you do, you create bias.”
At the end of one school year, his classroom was identified by students as the safest on campus, covered in gold stars. That focus on safety and trust now defines his work with animals.
Alongside teaching, Quach began working with birds, eventually developing long term relationships with two macaws that have now been with him for more than 21 years, an uncommon lifespan in human care. His work today centers on addressing what he sees as a major gap in public understanding. “There are up to two million birds in homes in the United States,” he said. “You never see them. They are locked in cages.”
Many of those birds, he says, suffer from a lack of stimulation and proper care, leading to behavioral and health issues that often result in surrender to already overcrowded rescues and sanctuaries. “Parrots are not good pets,” Quach said. “They were destined to fly.”
Through Avian Center for Enrichment, Quach works across public education, private coaching, and support for rescues and sanctuaries. His philosophy centers on what he calls a non human centric approach, prioritizing the needs of the bird over convenience or expectation. “You have to understand the bird first,” he said. “Then build the relationship.”
That relationship, he says, is built in the smallest, most consistent moments. “The must do is, when you see them, you give it your all,” he said of caring for his macaws. “You love them like you want to be loved.”
Balance is key as too much attention, he notes, can create dependency and instability. Instead, he focuses on what he calls “shaping”, understanding himself first, setting boundaries, and reading the bird’s cues. “If they give me a little bump, that’s when I know I need to back off,” he said.
The result is not control, but trust, a relationship that allows birds to remain in homes long term rather than entering the cycle of rescue and rehoming. For Quach, the lessons extend beyond animal care. “I’ve learned that life can slow down with them,” he said. “They are happy in the moment, everywhere they go. A new story begins with every step.” He credits that perspective with bringing peace, resilience, and acceptance into his own life.
Looking ahead, Quach is focused on expanding his impact. His partnership with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation is expected to broaden public access to education around bird care and conservation, while his longer term goal is to establish a Haven Center, a dedicated space for training, education, and community engagement. Currently, he operates largely on his own and is seeking funding and land support to grow the initiative.
In the wake of recent wildfires, Quach also sees an opportunity to support recovery efforts for animals across the region. He is calling for collaboration with rescues and sanctuaries to share practical care techniques that can improve conditions and increase adoptability. “Small steps make huge progress,” he said. “People think the big step is taking the bird outside. It’s not. It’s saying good morning. It’s creating safety.”
On any given day, a flock of macaws may pass overhead, drawing attention from those below. For Quach, those moments are an entry point. “It’s about helping people understand,” he said. “We’re here to help the birds, and the people.”
Website: www.aviancenterforenrichment.com