Wendy’s WPR News, January 2008

So far this year we have received two beautiful Fischer’s Lovebirds, an African Grey and a Green-winged Macaw.

The African Grey is named Charlie, and is the loved child of a devoted Momma who was at least 70 when she bought him as an itsy-bitsy baby, and raised him herself. She has been a regular donor, and visited the refuge to make sure that there was a place for Charlie should anything ever happen to her. Sadly, she had a stroke and was whisked off to the hospital in Vancouver. Her daughter went across to the mainland to see Mom and picked up Charlie (who is now 15 years old) and brought him right here. Poor Charlie is really suffering. He saw his beloved Momma fall to the floor and saw people carry her away. He has not seen her since, and feels lost and abandoned. I have spent 2 days talking to him and explaining about Momma. Today, he came out of his cage and started to make conversation with Coco the Umbrella cockatoo from Calgary.

(Note added Feb. 19: you can spot Charlie in the background of this video. He seems to be doing better.)

Phoenix, the Green-winged Macaw is only 9 years old, and has already come full circle from his first home to his home for life in the Refuge. I raised him from a tiny baby for a man who wanted to give Phoenix to his beloved daughter (who wanted Phoenix forever and ever). A year ago Phoenix was sold to a another couple. Phoenix, and another Grey and Amazon lived in the “Bird Room” in the basement, while the couple lived upstairs. Phoenix apparently kept climbing the stairs to “reshape” the furniture to look more like real trees in the jungle. He came here with a handsome donation to support him. He is having a blast with Charley the Military Macaw. They are very naughty little boys who walk around the floor together looking for mischief. I laughed until I almost coughed my lungs up!

- from Wendy