When people are out at work for many hours each day, even birds who have a companion lack the necessary stimulation for such intelligent beings. Even if the requirements of good hygiene and food, toys, and a bird friend are available, these do not replace the benefits of a free-flying flock lifestyle. Such was the case with Sunny and Sherry. Now that they have constant interaction with their large flock we can easily see the improvement.

When they came to the refuge, Sunny and Sherry had lived for years in their cage with few distractions to occupy their active minds. Consequently they had resorted to over-grooming. On their first day, they soon migrated to the top of their cage where they huddled together, eyes wide, taking in all the noise and activity in the Welcome Centre.

At first, they seldom left one another's side, but slowly they became more adventurous. They still hang out together as best buddies. Their feathers are rapidly regrowing and their confidence has re-emerged - as you'll see in this short video update:

You may notice I've nicknamed Sherry. I call him Woodstock because he reminds me of the famous bird from the Charlie Brown cartoon strip - click here.

Please click on the thumbnails below to learn how you can help some special birds have a home for life through our "Virtual Adoption" program! More stories coming soon!

Birds who are now partly sponsored, thank you!

Birds who are now fully sponsored, thank you!

"This is, in a word, a great place and these miraculous creatures deserve no less, but few places can deliver it this well. It is, indeed, 'world class'."

– Stewart Metz (author and Director of the Indonesian Parrot Project), after his visit at the Grand Opening of the Refuge on August 13, 2005.

"The World Parrot Refuge is a true sanctuary where parrots live out their lives in a loving, spacious and happy environment under the guidance of extraordinarily caring people. The many visitors destined to pass through the refuge will come to understand that parrots are not toys or trophies, but beings with needs and emotions as real as our own."

– Rosemary Low (author of more than 30 books on parrots)