World Parrot Refuge

Wendy writes: “I just got back at 11am today (13 March 2010) from a very long drive to Calgary. The ‘parrot bus’ came back with 16 hitchhikers. Grey Bird is an African Grey in first class condition. Owned and loved by a really nice man who needs to tend to himself now that his years are adding up. He took on Grey Bird’s care after his brother died. There is also a beautiful 9 year-old Blue Fronted Amazon, who speaks only Dutch, whose family has gone back to Holland. Those are the good stories.

Wendy with Dusty

There is an M2 named Dusty – who is apparently noisy and hates women! I must have been wearing male hormones since I met him because he loves me. He was wearing an actual frisbee around his neck for 2 years. It had steel screws in it and weighed a ton. Now he is a happy bird since it has gone. His wings have been trimmed within centimetres of the skin. The owner was trying to breed him and when it didn’t work he began advertising the female for sale. I tried to get her too but without success.

Then there is Buddy, the Lesser Sulfur, who is in fact an Eleanora without a tail or wings. She was given by the Edmonton Humane Society as they felt that she needed a Home For Life. Loud, yes – funny, yes – on the way here she chewed through two carriers and jumped onto my shoulder to screech hello! She will settle in just fine.

Luki

Luki, a Goffins cockatoo (well that says it all doesn’t it!) is so excited and has already signed up as a member of the Goffini Mafia and has lots of other members visiting already.

The other eleven birds came from a breeder. We all cried rivers. A pair of Greenwinged Macaws – wild-caught 46 years ago – who love their new compound. A pair of terrified wild-caught Umbrella cockatoos in really poor shape – they are still hiding in a cage that is also hidden from the world to give them privacy. A pair of Eclectus – we can’t tell what subspecies they are as they don’t have feathers. A single male Eclectus who was obviously someone’s pet once – now, instead of that beautiful green colour, his remaining feathers are black – and his beak has very little colour and is hugely overgrown. His eyes were so empty and sad when I picked him up. Even in one day there is a true difference and he has even started to say things.

Surrendered Eclectus

There is another Umbrella male – an ex-pet also – in really poor shape, but he loves it when you pet his head. There is also a huge Double Yellowheaded Amazon who looks as though he walked here from the Amazon and didn’t stop for a bath. He is fat, but not well-fed – clearly his nutritional needs have not been met. Finally a pair of what I believe are Peach Fronted Conures. I will be able to see better when the swelling goes down around their eyes and some of their feathers grow back. All of the breeder birds are suffering from extreme vitamin A deficiency – and I believe the Eclectus male has fatty liver disease. I have given them all vitamin shots and trimmed some of the longest nails I have seen.

Volunteers Jonathan and Gloria with Wendy

Two days later: I will try to get some pictures of the birds – who incidentally look so much better already. Only Grey Bird came with a partial sponsorship. All of the other 15 birds are our responsibility. We desperately need to get sponsors for them. – Wendy

If you can help, please visit our donation page and tell us who you would like to help. Even a monthly donation of $10 “For the Birds”, will make a big difference in the long-term care of these birds. Virtual Adoptions are $21 per month for a half sponsorship, or $42 per month for a full sponsorship. Thank you!

2009 continues to present challenges. As well as ongoing funding issues, new parrots come in daily it seems. Most arrive with no commitment to their financial needs and some have health issues.

Reuben Macaw is in poor condition. His feathers are picked almost bare in many places. His beak shows chalky areas and generally he seems to have experienced poor nutritional and environmental conditions. Wendy told me his estimated age – about ten I as I recall.

Kolbe is a two-year-old African Grey. His feathers are over-groomed to nothing, and he is extremely nervous around people. When he first arrived he cowered high in a corner of his cage. But, within just a few days he is gaining confidence. Wendy reports that he is switching to the new food very quickly, and has been playing in his cage and even hanging upside down. That’s a great sign!

Remember you can contribute to the Virtual Adoption of any of our birds through the donations page. The average cost per bird is $500/year, but any donation helps immensely. Thanks again for checking in on us!

Now that Buster has stopped chewing his injured wing, he can roam around the refuge free from bandages and the cone he hates so much!

He loves hangin’ out near the floor, with his buddy Dr Earl.

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Jesse posing: She apparently doesn’t like having her picture taken while eating, so she’s waiting until we’re finished. What a character.

When Teemu arrived from his loving home he was showing the effects of unspecified environmental toxins. Parrots have an extremely efficient respiratory system and are susceptible to tiny amounts of chemicals in the air that would not bother humans. For example, many pet birds have been killed by the fumes from over-heated teflon cookware accidentally left on the stove too long.

In Teemu’s case new flooring added to his home began affecting him severely. His owners regretfully had to find a new home for him and that’s how he came to live at the World Parrot Refuge. As you can see from these photos, he is rapidly recovering. Wendy calls him, “A delightful bird.”