Peggy Deland

Prior to becoming a full-time freelance writer, Peggy Deland worked as an Internet researcher, content editor, quality assurance agent, medical assistant, and as a security supervisor for a national defense contractor. She has cared for, studied, and bred parrots for the pet industry since the 1990s.

Since 2005, Peggy has written hundreds of articles for the web. In addition to her work at Suite101, she maintains long-term contracts with several online publishers, including ConsumerSearch (a division of the New York Times company), Mahalo, and Demand Studios. She has also written articles for Rollick Guides and Just Parents.

Peggy developed a fascination with parrots as a child, and successfully bred her first pair of peach-faced lovebirds at the age of 14. She has since accumulated extensive experience caring for, breeding, and rearing parrots of many species, including Eclectus parrots, red-bellied parrots, Fischer’s lovebirds, sun conures, cockatiels, budgerigars, and more. Her specialties include avian nutrition, colony breeding, hand-rearing and incubation. She is a member of the American Federation of Aviculture and the Eclectus Group.

In the mid-1990s, Peggy worked as an Internet researcher and content editor for a major women’s health website. In 2001, she completed both the medical assistant and business courses at Timberlake Job Corps in Estacada, OR. Afterwards, she stayed at the Job Corps center to volunteer in the medical clinic for several months. Under the supervision of a physician and R.N., Peggy worked with disadvantaged youth, immigrants, and refugees staying temporarily at the center.

Peggy has written extensively about parrots and healthcare topics. She also writes articles on an eclectic mix of subjects she enjoys as hobbies, including cooking, wine, do-it-yourself projects, online gaming, needlework, and nature.

Peggy resides in South Texas with her husband (a stay-at-home dad), her daughter, and an assortment of exotic birds. She is available for freelance writing, proofreading, and editing work.