Heidi Fleiss' Noisy Parrots Spark Dispute with Vegas Neighbor

Former Hollywood madam's exotic birds wake up neighbor with early morning squawking

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:38am

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Heidi Fleiss, the infamous former Hollywood madam, is facing a dispute with her Las Vegas neighbor over the loud squawking of her exotic parrots named Gin and Juice. Fleiss' neighbor, Shauna Cordova, claims the birds wake her up almost daily at dawn with their obnoxious calls. Cordova, an animal lover herself, says the rift has caused tension between the two. Fleiss believes her neighbor may dislike her more for her past criminal history than the birds themselves. The county is now involved, as there are restrictions on the number of birds allowed in the 'bird strike hazard area' near the local airport.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges that can arise when individuals with controversial pasts try to live quietly in residential neighborhoods, especially when their exotic pets create disturbances for neighbors. It also speaks to the broader issue of balancing personal freedoms with community standards and noise ordinances.

The details

Fleiss, who operated a high-end prostitution ring in the 1990s, was convicted of pandering and later served 20 months in federal prison for tax evasion. After her release, she moved to rural Nevada and started a bird sanctuary, allowing more than 30 exotic birds to roam freely on her $850,000 property. However, her neighbor Shauna Cordova claims Fleiss' macaws, known for their loud squawks, perch on a wire near her bedroom window almost every morning and wake her up. Cordova, who owns other animals herself, says the noise has caused a rift between the two women. Fleiss believes Cordova may dislike her more for her criminal past than the birds themselves. The county has now gotten involved, as there are restrictions on the number of birds allowed in the 'bird strike hazard area' near the local airport.

  • In 2022, one of Fleiss' macaws was shot with a pellet gun, prompting her to vow to leave Nevada for Missouri.
  • In mid-February 2026, Fleiss purchased the $850,000 property in Nevada that now houses her bird sanctuary.

The players

Heidi Fleiss

The infamous former Hollywood madam who now operates a bird sanctuary in Nevada with more than 30 exotic birds.

Shauna Cordova

Fleiss' long-time neighbor in the Las Vegas Valley who claims the loud squawking of Fleiss' parrots, named Gin and Juice, wakes her up almost daily.

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What they’re saying

“It has woken me up. Nobody likes to get woke up. So when you get woke up, it puts you in a bad mood. You're like, what in the heck is going on?”

— Shauna Cordova, Fleiss' Neighbor (8 News Now)

“I think she just doesn't like me. And there's a lot of people like that. And I'll never be able, I can't try and change her mind.”

— Heidi Fleiss (8 News Now)

What’s next

The county's code enforcement department is expected to inform Fleiss about restrictions on the number of birds allowed in the 'bird strike hazard area' near the local airport, which could limit the number of birds she can keep on her property.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges that can arise when individuals with controversial pasts try to reintegrate into residential communities, especially when their personal choices, such as keeping exotic pets, create disturbances for their neighbors. It underscores the need for open communication, compromise, and adherence to local regulations to maintain harmony in diverse neighborhoods.