parrot adoption in Arkansas

04/29/2024

This week's Adoption Wednesday features a repost of Kiwi and Angel, still looking for their forever home. They are a bonded pair, both are 10 years old and have spent their entire lives together. Having lived in an indoor aviary, they will need either a flight aviary or a constructed bird room to house them in their adoptive home. Kiwi is a known female that is gentle and loving once she gets to know you. Angel is a known male and is reported to enjoy male companionship according to his previous guardian. While this pair is not “mate-bonded” they have lived together their entire lives and will need to be adopted together. Pairs of birds are typically easier than a single bird as they have another bird to help meet their social needs. If you are interested in learning more about Kiwi and Angel, fill out an application below!

Photos by Brian Jones

04/29/2024

04/29/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all the caretakers out there! There are all kinds of moms and they all deserve celebration 🎉

A special shoutout to all our Foster Parrots adopters who have become caretakers for birds in need over the years. Parrot guardianship is a major commitment that many equate to caring for a toddler who never leaves the terrible twos 😵‍💫 Thank you to all who have chosen adoption and who put in the work to care for your feathered friends every day ❤️

04/29/2024

We’ve lost several special residents over the last year, most due to age-related disease. These losses are hard on us, but even harder on the other birds who shared close social bonds with those lost. Foster Parrots Executive Director, Karen Windsor, writes about Love & Loss at the Sanctuary: When Parrots Grieve, in our winter newsletter. Here’s an excerpt describing the reaction of Brutus’ aviary mates when he passed away peacefully in the night:

—

Although his passing was not unexpected, our hearts broke nevertheless, as Brutus was a deeply cherished, long-time sanctuary resident. But Brutus was cherished most intensely by Phio and Louise, who guarded the body of their fallen friend aggressively, and would not allow him to be taken away. So staff members, Danielle and Emily, hung a sheet outside of the aviary and instructed volunteers to leave the birds to mourn. “The two of them stayed with Brutus for 6 hours after I found him,” recalled Danielle. “I checked on them regularly. The two only moved a few feet away from Brutus and rushed back to his side anytime I peeked in. Eventually I had to remove Brutus so that Dr. Bourke could perform a necropsy. This was a two-person job, as Phio was not ready to say goodbye. Poor Phio spent the rest of the afternoon calling out to Brutus.”

04/29/2024

Lily is enjoying some social time outside of his aviary!

Lily previously shared an aviary with another Umbrella cockatoo named Crystal. They were typically affectionate with each other, but unfortunately they became aggressive during hormonal periods and had to be separated for Lily’s safety. Crystal was moved to an aviary across the hall where the two could still talk to each other.

They didn’t show interest in being reunited for over a year. Recently that changed when Crystal ventured through her open aviary door to visit Lily! They are now able to enjoy supervised visits with each other outside of their aviaries. They’re taking it slow and our staff is monitoring the interactions carefully to make sure everyone stays safe. So far they are both happy to return to their own separate aviaries at the end of their visits.

The birds at the sanctuary are given a large amount of space, but we can’t come close to meeting the miles of open air and forest they were meant to occupy. In the wild, with plentiful options, Lily and Crystal may not have chosen each other as mates. If they did choose each other, they would have endless space to spread their wings, exercise, and express themselves without overt aggression. We can keep them safe and let them make decisions, but they are in captivity. They can’t experience the life they deserve.

04/29/2024

Message us now if you are interested

04/29/2024

Hyacinth macaws get their name from their bright blue coloring, but did you know that their feathers aren’t truly blue? When Charlie sheds a feather, we can hold it up to the light to see that it’s actually a dull brown/gray.

Blue feathers are created by the way light waves interact with them. This is true for all blue-feathered bird species, like blue jays and bluebirds.

Although blue coloring in birds is created similarly across species, other colors like red and yellow are quite different in parrots! Most birds with bright coloring get those shades from pigments in their diet. Parrots, however, biochemically synthesize their color molecules, which are known as psittacofulvins. Their coloring is not affected by their diet in the same way, although dull coloration can be a sign of poor diet or underlying health concerns.

No matter how they get their colors, they are all beautiful and meant to be wild 🪶

04/29/2024

Ozzy is a permanent resident at our sanctuary facility. He lives in our front Education Hall with several other birds. This is an area of the sanctuary that accommodates birds who enjoy human attention but are not adoptable for various reasons. Ozzy receives a wonderful combination of human and avian companionship.

Ozzy is what you might call a super-destroyer. He loves to shred, shred, shred anything he can get his beak on. He has plenty of opportunity to do so here, with endless toys, wood blocks, newspapers, and other enrichment. Recently, however, he began extending his talents to unwelcome places such as the light switches, outlets, and exit signs.

This is normal parrot behavior driven by the urge to forage and excavate nesting cavities. It also helps keep their beaks trimmed, provides exercise and mental stimulation. When Ozzy's chewing behavior became unsafe, our staff made modifications to the environment to protect him (and our building 😆).

Destruction is par for the course when it comes to keeping parrots in captivity. It's a necessary and healthy behavior. Unfortunately, it's one of the reasons birds like Ozzy are often kept caged and ultimately rehomed. It's a lifelong commitment to bring a parrot into your home, and that commitment must include the ability to accommodate a wild animal in an unnatural environment.

👀 Watch our Stories to see some other ways Ozzy keeps himself busy at the sanctuary!

04/29/2024

Blue-throated macaw JubJub was loved dearly by his original guardian. He was harness trained, his diet was meticulously selected for his optimal health, he was extremely well-socialized and deeply connected to his person.

The man of the household, unfortunately, was not as enchanted by JubJub as his wife was. Despite the love, care, training, and time given to JubJub, he was still a parrot. There’s no avoiding the noise, mess, and destruction that a parrot in captivity introduces to the home. JubJub fell victim to the “either that bird goes or I go” ultimatum.

JubJub’s female guardian was heartbroken to relinquish him. She sobbed as her husband unloaded JubJub’s cage and supplies at our doorstep. In situations like this we can’t help but suspect that the guardian has made the wrong choice.

Fortunately, JubJub quickly found friendship with Burt, a young and boisterous Hyacinth macaw who was surrendered earlier that year. This all happened in 2007, and the two have been a happy pair for over 15

04/29/2024

❣️Adoption Success Story❣️

Our adopters are asked to fill out a one-year questionnaire after caring for their bird for a full year. We ensure everything is going smoothly and provide support when needed. Here’s an amazing one year update from Oscar’s family!

“Things are going amazing; Oscar is absolutely incredible and I love him with all my heart and more. He’s an amazing and sweet bird, and he’s adjusted so well to my family, even my father (as he originally didn’t care for men too much), and my other birds as well. He fits so nicely into my flock and has made close friends with my green cheek conure. Oscar is incredibly affectionate, well-behaved, and quite the chatter-box now. His personality has shone over the past year; while still shy around other people and new places, he’s certainly become an independent bird! He loves to travel around my room, he even flies when he feels the need to, but he still prefers to simply relax on my shoulder”

Congratulations Oscar & family! We’re so happy that Oscar is receiving such wonderful care.
_________

If you’re considering adding a bird to your family, learn about our adoption program at fosterparrots.com/adoption-rescue

04/18/2024

Message us now

02/18/2024

Who's up for me

02/18/2024

Still available and ready to go now

02/18/2024

Message us now if you are still interested in rehoming this cutie

02/18/2024

Sassy enjoying some yummy treats

02/18/2024

The little Quakers are so cute! Big personality

02/18/2024

Peekaboo scout!