Move over,
New Years—January is about the birds. Not only is the 5th of January
National Bird Day, but the month of January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month.
This month is especially important to me, as I have four rescued
parrots of my own. My flock includes two Yellow
Naped Amazons, a Red Fronted Macaw, and a Nanday Conure. They all range from twelve
to over thirty years of age, and each
one has their own unique story and quirks. Jack likes to sing opera
scales and laugh hysterically when she thinks something is funny (yes, she is a
girl). Finster says “bye bye” as I grab my keys each morning to leave for work.
Oogie likes to chuckle and jibber jabber; occasionally, he will perform an
opera scale just to give Jack some competition. Oliver likes to say “step up” and
blow kisses before bed time. 
These are some of the many pleasant behaviors I
witness at home; however, as with any rescue animal, they also came with
previous learned behaviors from their past that can pose challenges. Jack will
yell for help when she is very upset. Oliver will scream for attention here and
there. Finster will try to feed the dog formulated bird pellets when she wants
attention. Of course, my dog thinks this is just the best thing ever! Oogie has a physical disability and is
still learning how to interact with toys and forage at over fifteen years of
age. They all will attempt to bite if they are over-stimulated, scared, or
simply unsure of something. As you can imagine, there is never a dull moment at
the house. 
In addition to having four rescued birds in my life, I also
sponsor a Timneh African Grey Parrot named Scrappy. Scrappy is a resident at a
wonderful sanctuary called Project Perry located in Central Virginia. She is a wild caught African Grey who had a
rough start to life prior to joining the sanctuary. Project Perry rescues
multiple birds and offers lifetime care options for owners needing to place
their birds in a permanent living situation. With huge aviaries and unlimited enrichment
opportunities, they truly allow birds to be birds. We love getting updates on
how Scrappy is thriving.
Just like dogs and cats, birds end up in shelters and
rescues. Unsurprisingly, there are a significantly reduced number of shelters
equipped to handle their needs.
Birds are a huge commitment. Several parrot species can live
well into their fifties with appropriate care.
Overtime, caregivers may no longer be able to care for their pet bird
due to life changes, or their bird may outlive them. This leads to several birds
being relinquished to shelters each year.
Birds are very social animals. They live in large flocks
where they communicate daily through a variety of sounds, some of which are
pleasant, and others which are not. They attempt to communicate with people in
the same manner. As humans, we often unknowingly reinforce these loud
behaviors. This can lead to frustration for both parties involved and sometimes
even noise violations depending on where you live. Throughout a bird’s life, some
may bond with their human caregiver as their “mate”, which can lead to
confusion and frustration. This can result in both behavioral issues as well as
medical issues such as egg binding. Fulfilling the average bird’s social needs
is certainly not an easy task.
The intelligence of birds is truly fascinating. Because they
are so intelligent, they need enrichment in several forms to keep them happy in
captivity. Enrichment encompasses several categories which include social,
cognitive, physical, and sensory aspects. Birds in the wild spend a large
portion of their day flying and foraging for food in flocks. It engages their
mind and promotes exercise. It involves multiple forms of enrichment. This is a
hard behavior to replicate in captivity, especially when housed in cages and
fed from a dish. With inadequate enrichment opportunities, birds learn to cope
with these social and environmental needs through behavior changes which can be
in the form of unpleasant vocalizations, aggression, destruction, feather
destructive behaviors, and self-mutilation. All of these can be very
challenging to overcome and can lead to relinquishment.
From needing well-formulated diets, to fresh produce, to
multiple enrichment opportunities, the expenses can add up quickly. Additionally,
birds need veterinary care just like dogs and cats. While there are no routine
vaccines, it is recommended to have a preventative care exam at least yearly as
well as lab work at the discretion of a veterinarian. Birds are notorious for
hiding illness from their owners, which makes the preventative care exam that
much more valuable. 
Whether it is due to behavioral, financial, or commitment
reasons, multiple birds are surrendered to rescues or rehomed each year. In
fact, several parrots have had multiple homes in their life time. If you are
considering bringing a new bird into your life, please do not hesitate to reach
out to me with any questions. This year, to celebrate National Adopt a Rescued
Bird month, consider offering new enrichment opportunities to keep your
feathered friend happy, or consider donating to a parrot sanctuary. Project
Perry is a fantastic sanctuary; I strongly encourage everyone to check them
out!
While my day to day is very exciting and challenging at
times, I would not change the decision of welcoming my feathered kids into my
life for anything. They provide me with constant smiles and teach me daily. I
wouldn’t have it any other way.
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