Miss Vicki's Parrot Village, Inc

04/05/2022

Just a reminder that cockatoos are wild animals, and really shouldn't be pets: https://fb.watch/cc5eaxfOxh/

03/16/2022

As some of you have already learned, Miss Vicki departed this life last week, after a battle with leukemia.

Vicki approached death with the same matter-of-fact and can-do attitudes that she exhibited in life, taught her children, and inspired others to follow. I’ll never forget her story about teaching her children to “problem solve”. As a result, I use that phrase occasionally at home, notably when I try to encourage my little bird to unravel a difficult foraging toy.

For about ten years of her life, Vicki worked tirelessly (and if you ever met her, you know this is not just an expression) to help parrots and parrot people. She was most fond of Cockatoos, and especially Moluccan Cockatoos, like her beloved M2 Mulligan, the source of her parrot interest, who himself was a “ransom rescue”. I am proud to have been one of her helpers for many years, and thoroughly enjoyed introducing her to the wonderful world of macaws, and helping in various ways.

Her ability to connect with parrots of all species was uncanny. It was as though they all realized very quickly that she was their friend and guide to a better future. She often accepted the most troubled parrots from other rescues, and managed to rehabilitate them, sometimes beyond what was thought to be possible. In some cases the poor care of their prior homes led to shorter lives, but those parrots always knew Vicki loved them, and they loved her back.

Vicki spent hours learning all she could about parrots and how to best care for them. Even after many years, and hundreds of parrot-years of experience, she was never satisfied that she knew enough about parrot care. That’s one lesson I try to keep in mind.

We sadly accepted the closure of the rescue a few years ago. Vicki managed to find transfer destinations for the birds of MVPV at the time, thanks to her good relationships with other rescues. A few birds remaining were her personal birds. One was Princess Buttercup, G2, a survivor of self-mutilation, and an example of Vicki’s ability to heal birds in spirit and body.

I’m thankful that Vicki chose to devote so much time and energy to helping parrots and parrot people, and thankful that I could call her my friend. I’m a better person and better parrot companion for having known her. And I suspect many of you feel the same way. I searched through hundreds of photos to find one I thought represented Vicki and what she meant to the birds of The Village. The one here does just that – it was never about Vicki, and she didn’t usually like to have her picture taken. But she loved the birds and the birds loved her.

Hopefully my words will help you, just as writing them has helped me. I’ll add a link to her obituary and some of my favorite Village pics in the comments.

09/06/2021

Missing Person in California - family of a friend.

07/30/2020

Bread makes ducks sick, prevents them from learning to forage, and can even deform their wings so they can’t fly. Here are some healthier alternatives, if you must feed the ducks. The British Canal and River Trust is on a mission to save ducks from malnutrition caused by bread. Tossing […]

12/31/2019

Be responsible, for the sake of your loved ones.

Wishing you a wonderful time during the New Year festivities here in Scotland but, please, never drink alcohol and drive - it might not only be you who suffers as a result of your actions

07/16/2018

After nearly a decade of taking in parrots with nowhere to go, I have decided to retire.

I was going to keep the non-profit open so I could retain my Georgia Department of Agriculture license, in the event there was an emergency and our space was needed. But, after reading comments made about my retirement and the incorrect presumption regarding why I would leave it active (personal profit), I have made the final decision to cut all ties to rescue. Without the non-profit, I cannot be licensed. Without a license, I cannot take in birds. That will leave the task in the present and future to everyone else, without any help from The Village. Sadly, that is how it has to be when my integrity is put into question.

We do not actively fundraise. Most of our funds come from services we provide. To avoid confusion and rumor, if you are a donor, please discontinue and forward those donations to another cause, and thank you for the support you have given over the years. We have helped hundreds of parrots over the years, but it is time for me to move on where I can work in peace.

Thank you for the support. It has been productive and mostly positive. I did my best and couldn’t ask for better supporters.

06/20/2018

Please send out an enormous wing hug to the Hooper family for saving this little that flew into their yard in North Fayette County (forgive and correct me if the name is wrong!). He was found not far off 279 and has probably been outside 3-4 days.

He/she has a band, and that information will be required to claim this darling. We will get him vetted and check for a microchip. If you know of anyone missing a Nanday Conure, please have them contact me via email at [email protected] or by messenger on my personal page (Vicki Knox LeClaire).

Thank you!

05/25/2018

This handsome boy has asked to come and live at The Village with his buddy Simon, but he needs some help getting here from Connecticut. We want to make this trip as stress-free as possible for him, so if you happen to be coming south from up north and are comfortable with rambunctious male Moluccans, we could use your help!

04/20/2018

These two munchkins have been a pair for 18 years, and they are super sweet and entertaining. Sugar is a bare-eyed cockatoo, and Peaches is a white-bellied Caique. They are available for adoption!

04/09/2018

It appears a Facebook glitch removed the text from my last photo, so let’s try this again!
Over the last three years, I have been working on two things...

First, we are gearing up for a switch to specializing in one species...the Moluccan Cockatoo. We will continue with our flock-based rehab, but we are adding aviaries for sanctuary M2s so they never need to be caged again. This is why I went into rescue a decade ago; I’m quieting the noise, so to speak, and getting back to my original intent...helping M2s. The boarding of birds, placing of rehabbed birds, our 501(c)(3) status, our Department of Agriculture licensing, etc will remain unchanged.

On a personal note, after moving from the role of kid/student, followed rather quickly by the roles of stay-at-home mom/wife/student/parrot wrangler, I have taken a different career path; it is a dream come true! While it has not had a negative impact on my time with the birds during the test phase, it has presented many opportunities for more community involvement, which is great for all birds. I would not make this change permanent if it was not good for the birds, but it has proven to be better than I could have predicted. I am happier, and the birds are happier, so we trust our followers and supporters will be, too.

04/05/2018

You may have noticed the lack of posts on this page, but I wanted to reach out and let our page followers we are still here and doing well! We have made a few changes since the last post in February, but until I can find someone to revamp this page and the website, the updates will be slow to post.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask; I will reply. Thank you!

02/13/2018

Saffy, the parrotlet, does not like to be spritzed with water for a shower, but she has no problem sneaking through the open food door of Merlin’s sleep cage to play in the spray of Podo’s morning bath. Whatever works!

02/03/2018

If you think you want a Cockatoo because you fell in love with Topango’s dance video I posted 10 months ago, here is a snapshot Topango in real life, on a mild day, minus the adorable dance.
If you you can’t handle this level of noise for hours per day, every day, for the next 40+ years, don’t get a Cockatoo. The cuteness ends where the red zone begins!

01/26/2018

All 2017 receipts have been mailed. Thank you all for making 2017 a great year for The Village Birds!
If you do not receive your receipt by 12/31/18, please email me directly at [email protected]
Thank you!

01/04/2018

We are aware of the tragic loss of parrots in a rescue in the Midwest, but we are not sharing the post because we do not have all the facts. Spreading any sort of speculation without proof of cause or firsthand information, even in an attempt to protect other birds, is not how we work.

Followers on this page are more than welcome to handle the information already out there in any way they see fit, but we will not be sharing until the documented necropsy results are made available, if the other rescue chooses to release that information.

Ultimately, regardless of cause, there is no way to manage that level of loss easily, so please keep them in mind prior to getting involved in finger pointing, etc. The people behind the scenes are real humans and deserve compassion and understanding at this trying time. Vicki~admin

01/02/2018

A few more Toy Drive 2017 photos!

01/02/2018

Pepper Fluffybutt is snacking on his treats from April!

01/02/2018

And this is why we beg for toys!
Baby Boo destroyed this toy in 2 days, but she had a blast doing it!

12/31/2017

Andy got his toys before Albert did, but Andy didn’t let his pod buddy suffer long...he shared like a true friend 😁

12/28/2017

To state the birds are super pleased with the toys received so far would be an understatement! WOW! Three more boxes arrived today (thank you Jennifer B. and Crew and Tina H), and boxes from A&E will be arriving with all the toys purchased with the nearly $500 in donations for ‘any bird’.
Be prepared for the 100+ individual pics coming your way!

12/26/2017

It just came to my attention that there have been no updates posted about our toy drive for several days. I apologize and will start posting updates myself this afternoon.

We have one box of toys that has not been claimed by anyone, but every bird has been sponsored. Please email me directly ([email protected]) if you would like a receipt. All thank you cards and receipts are ready, but most do not have addresses.

We thank you very much for your support!

12/19/2017

Another box arrived with no info. This one is from My Safe Bird Store, so if it’s yours, speak up! Thanks!

12/18/2017

We had another box arrive without donor or bird info. This one is from Drs. Foster & Smith. If it’s yours, please shout out so we know who to thank and which is the lucky bird! Thank you!

12/15/2017

The toys for our ‘Toys for Toos’ drive have been arriving! These two boxes arrived, one from My Safe Bird Store and one from Bonka Bird Toys, but there is no info about who they came from or which birds they are for.
If the senders can let us know, we will make sure they get passed out properly on the 21st!
Thank you!

12/12/2017

Toys For Toos Focus: CoCo Puff

There has been a little bit of speculation that CoCo Puff may be related to Smirnoff (Annette's U2) because the style of their bands are identical. It is possible, and perhaps its even worth some further investigation into the matter. Smirnoff would love to meet a family member.

CoCo Puff, Umbrella Cockatoo

12/12/2017

MVPV would like to give a shout out to Dana McCard over at the Prissy Pallet for graciously donating a couple of her signs for a fund raiser we will be doing early next year. Thank you Dana, they are beautiful!

If you are looking for a fabulous gift for that hard to buy for person in your life, a custom piece from The Prissy Pallet just might be the perfect fit. Dana is only taking a few more orders for Christmas, so you better hurry though.

https://www.facebook.com/ThePrissyPallet/

12/12/2017

Toys for Toos Focus: CoCo Bean

CoCo Bean is one of our gorgeous M2s here at the Village and would love nothing more than to have any items that can be shred into tiny little bits.

CoCo Bean, Moluccan Cockatoo

12/12/2017

Toys for Toos Focus: Buzzard

Buzzard is a busy handful! If he could write a letter to Santa, no doubt some challenging foraging and puzzle type toys would be at the top of his list. I am positive that whoever decides to sponsor this handsome fella, knows just the right toy that will be perfect for Buzzard's incredibly active mind.

https://www.facebook.com/ParrotVillage/photos/a.1637538952973463.1073741938.122397991154241/1637541226306569/?type=3&theater

Buzzard, Goffins Cockato

12/12/2017

Up next in our "Toys for Toos" focus is one of our charming little umbrella cockatoos, Buffy.

Buffy, Umbrella Cockatoo

12/12/2017

I can hardly believe no one has sponsored Winston yet! Just look at this positively precious feathered face. How could anyone resist?

https://www.facebook.com/ParrotVillage/photos/a.1637538952973463.1073741938.122397991154241/1637542219639803/?type=3&theater

Winston, Umbrella Cockatoo