Iowa Parrot Rescue

01/06/2025

January is Adopt a Rescued Bird month! 🐦🦜 If you're a bird (or birb) lover looking to take in a new pet, here are helpful tips to keep in mind for proper housing and much more ➡️ https://bit.ly/2ZRg380

12/31/2024

With the new year coming up tomorrow, we like to reflect a bit on our year and what keeps us going each day.
As a quick run through of the stats, we've had some really incredible adoptions in 2024 including three longer term residents finding their permanent placements. We've had some older birds pass away and held them while they took their last breaths. As you'll see in the video below, we also had two of our Amazon boys bond together in a surprising twist just two days ago and are happily living together. We've accepted 61 birds into the rescue this entire year (50 new to us), placed 47, and currently stand at 27 species, 5 (1 new) permanent residents, making a total of 67 parrots in house...ranging from a year old to 65+ years.
This is many mouths to feed, blood to draw, nails to trim, baths to give, toys to make, p**p to clean, and so much more. Our volunteers have been instrumental in ensuring we're able to keep things as clean as possible here. While we aren't always perfect, our volunteers have made it so we can have days off sometimes and our birds are always socialized.
-We'd also like to thank Dr Jen at Quad City Pet Care for being our rockstar vet. She does so much for us from traveling here for intakes and bloodwork, x-rays in the clinic, surgeries, teaching Sarah countless techniques, offering moral support, and giving advice whenever we ask (sometimes she emails us after hours, too, which is far above and beyond what is required).
-We'd like to thank our monthly donors for always supporting our endeavors on maintaining a great diet and medical care. Your constant support is what keeps the doors open and allows us to facilitate adoptions. Also would like to thank all the folks that donate off our Amazon wishlist and send treats, toys, and daily supplies. Angie, Janet, and Lori are three people who have consistently sent large amounts of goodies and we are so grateful.
-We'd like to thank our maintenance men, Hy-Vee employees, Harrison's bird foods, and more. These people work so hard behind the scenes.
-The Parrot Posse has been a long term donor for us-year after year they facilitate donations of toys, toy parts, daily pellet rations, treats, and more. We just got a shipment of wood toy blocks thanks to their generosity. They help hundreds of parrot rescues all across the US, including and especially those impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes and fires, where other organizations fall short. Please support them, as you'll be supporting hundreds of rescues simultaneously.
-Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF) have consistently, year after year, been our number one source of funding for medical needs. We get plenty of normal cases, with each intake costing us around $300 depending on what needs done. Then factor in surgeries, repeat bloodwork, emergencies, and medications... We can't be more thankful for the assistance with medical AND our aviary project.
We wish we could give every one of our supporters a big hug, because this place wouldn't be here without every one of you. Our goals this year are to complete the aviary roof in the spring so we can have birds out in the summer. We'd also like to even out adoptions and intakes in 2025-something we typically are able to accomplish but we had a big year this year. We'd like to continue adding new merchandise to our shop on the website as well as welcome more volunteers and home visitors so we can do more distance adoptions. Our volunteers want us to do more public education events, and we're kicking the year off well with Bald Eagle Days the 10th-12th of January! I'm sure we will think of so many more things we'd like to do, and if you want to be a part of it, we've got something for everybody.
Wrapping this up to say... while we have endured a lot of struggle this year, we've also really had some great highlights. We look forward to another year, and maybe our best one yet, in 2025. Thank you all for a great 2024. Happy New Year!
-Sarah, Mike, Abi, and the flock

12/25/2024

Abi and Sarah and I, plus all the birds, want to wish Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, Pleasant Solstice, and Antic Festivus to all of our friends everywhere!

12/19/2024

Did you know we do most of our toy making in-house? Toys are one of the more expensive parts of running a rescue, along with vet care and feeding. Something's gotta keep the crazies occupied.
A few times a month we get surprise shipments from Amazon, gifts from our supporters (especially Angie!!) who so graciously send us toys for littler birds. We can't appreciate you all enough! Unfortunately it's a little less simple for the big big birds like macaws and cockatoos, who destroy Amazon toys in 10 minutes. :) Sure great fun for them, but expensive for you and us. Right now, we're wearing really thin on our wood supply, having to break into the perch stash to fill the need for more wood blocks. We could REALLY use some donations of untreated (kiln dried) pine wood or toy parts right now. Usually Menards is a great place to get this, or anything leftover from construction projects. Treated wood like pressure treated or outdoor rated lumber is toxic, as is cedar. If you're able to get us an order of untreated pine boards or can drop some off to the building in Letts, we would be massively appreciative. We would also be grateful for pine block/slat donations from places like makeyourownbirdtoys.com.
https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/lumber-boards/dimensional-lumber/2-x-4-x-8-premium-construction-framing-lumber/1021017/p-1444445103491-c-13125.htm

12/16/2024

We learned this morning of the passing of John Grim of Johnston, IA. As a longtime member and leader of Mid American Cage Bird Society, John was one of the earliest supporters of Iowa Parrot Rescue. He was a constant promoter of the interests of birds in Iowa, and will be deeply missed.

12/15/2024

Our sweet CeeCee Senegal left for his new home in Minnesota this afternoon. He will live happily with his cockatoo buddy, causing chaos and snuggling with his new people. We love when it's clear how much the new owners will dote on them, and this is one of those situations. We couldn't be happier. Good luck little man!

12/13/2024

Here's one of our intakes from Tuesday...
Ursa is a 27 year old female blue and gold. She is sweet, but reserved and has already been medically cleared as of today. Behaviorally, she'll probably need some more time to really get comfortable with us but is open to meeting nice people. She can step up and is a quiet bird so far, likes to play with toys, eats well, and seems comfortable with the other birds. She's been owned by the same person her whole life so this is a big transition for her. The first photo was on intake, second photo is a few days later when she got a lot of length trimmed from her beak. Obviously she needs that taken care of every couple months by an avian vet, but is an easy issue to manage. She also has a minor cataract in one eye but doesn't affect her vision in any notable way. Ursa is beautiful and ready to find her next chapter in life. 🐻

Next up was supposed to be Monet Harlequin, but he went back to his person after a couple days. Unfortunately he is one of the few that really did poorly in this environment and we recommended he go back in hopes that we can find him a home away from the building. In fact, he may be the only bird we've taken in that has been THAT afraid here, we worried for his physical and mental health. Otherwise, he really was a sweetheart and stepped up for both Mike and i despite his fears.

In Monet's place, we brought Merlin Hy in. BEFORE ANYONE ASKS... Merlin will remain a permanent resident. We understand people get upset when rescues do this, but it genuinely is to prevent them from being rehomed for profit. Merlin will always have a safe place to be here, macadamia nuts to chew on, and toys to destroy. All that said, Merlin is a 27 year old probable male Hyacinth macaw, he does well with the other birdies and so far really likes Mike. He gives Sarah veeeeeery suspicious eyes... But will warm up soon. We have had a Hyacinth before and are aware of their extra needs, so Merlin will always be well cared for. We hope his owner can visit him now and then, as well! We know people love this species but in order to respect his space, we will not be entertaining visits JUST to meet the fancy new bird. :)

12/12/2024

Two more new birds came in this week! Monet is a harlequin macaw, and Ursa is a blue and gold. Both are in their twenties. Stand by for pictures and more info. Getting pretty full in here!

12/07/2024

And onto our intakes from yesterday and last week... *As a note, none of these birds are available yet without a full work up on each, including bloodwork, DNA sexing, and disease testing (if necessary).* They will become available on our website once they have been cleared and are deemed mentally ready to meet new people.
For information on our adoption process, see our website at iowaparrotrescue.org/adopt and read about what species is right for you, our ground rules, info on home visits, as well as be able to see the birds we have at the rescue.

--Casper is a 31 year old DNA female Goffin's cockatoo and came from the only home she's ever known. She was very doted on and loved, but as her people aged, she needed somewhere safe to land. So far she is still being super shy but really enjoys soft pets on her head. She will turn her head all the way around so she even gets scratched under her chin. She can step on a stick and really enjoys being the center of attention. Casper has been with many birds in the past and may enjoy a companion, but she will need plenty of time to come around on her own terms and form a bond. Like most cockatoos, she can be the life of the party.

The next 4 came from the same home... We don't have ages on the first three, but we do know an estimated age range for the conure. The owner had Greys and Amazon for 15 years and adopted them from someone else beforehand. In our opinion, the Greys look on the older side but nothing is guaranteed. We will be DNA sexing all of them, but for the time being I will simply refer to them all as females.
--Jessie CAG is really shy at first, but really likes to chat and whistle. She can be spooky with new things and nips a bit in defense if she doesn't know you. In her home, she used to step up but likely hasn't been regularly handled in a while. Regardless, we think with enough time she will be a pretty laid back bird.
--Macie TAG is a feather plucker, having no wing or tail feathers to catch herself. She is also pretty spooky at new things, but is more likely to flail about if she's not feeling confident. She is nippy but curious and also enjoys talking from time to time. She seems to enjoy making noises more than anything (some very high pitched).
--Madison Yellow-Nape Amazon is a cheerful and well-spirited bird who LOVES to talk to people and be around others. She likes to be the center of attention, singing her heart away as long as people will hear her. We were told that Madison tends to attack men, often cornering them if they aren't sure how to handle Amazons. She stepped up nicely for Mike yesterday, but was clearly less comfortable with him. We'll have to wait and see when she has settled in more how she does.
--Gonzo is a blue-crown conure estimated to be 30-40 years old. He clearly has some issues with his wings and will just need someone patient who will let him live out his golden days as he pleases. He's likely going to be going home with Sarah when he is medically cleared.

12/07/2024

National Geographic has a good article about parrot rescue, as well as planning for your parrot's future. You might have to sign in, but it's free.

Parrots and tortoises are flooding animal-rescue organizations around the country as many owners fail to make arrangements for their long-lived species.

12/05/2024

We had some good adoptions recently. Howie eclectus was able to go back to his original family. W***y hybrid macaw went off to live with a nice family that's adopted from us before, and Gremlin yellownape moved in with his new human pal.

Good thing, too. We have six intakes scheduled for the coming week! Stay tuned for details.

12/03/2024

Ok, Giving Tuesday is here! Please help the birds if you can...we want to take the best possible care of them, and that costs. We spend $1000/mo on food, $1500 on medical, one paid worker, and then theres insurance, utilities, travel, etc etc. We cant do it without your help.

11/29/2024

Received a call at noon on Thanksgiving...a family in a nearby town had suffered a serious house fire, and had nowhere for their two macaws to stay. Within 45 minutes of the call the birds were safely moved into an appropriate double cage at Iowa Parrot Rescue, equipped with proper perches and toys, and provided with the foods they're used to. We got them showered to start washing off the smoke, fed them some snacks to calm them, left them alone to snuggle each other. We'll care for them here until they can go home. Their people will be able to come see them frequently.

I'm very thankful for being in a position to help in cases like this. Your help makes it possible.

11/21/2024

And we got our truck back yesterday, all spiffy and fixed up thanks to all of YOU. We appreciate your generosity in this effort! Thanks for making giving Tuesday a smash (if a little early).

11/18/2024

ADOPTED!!!

This is a courtesy post.
*NOTE-this bird is NOT in our building. If you are interested, contact information for the owner is at the bottom. Do not contact us in regards to this bird please. As always, there is no charge for adopting him or anything he comes with.*

We have a beautiful Lovebird named Nyokki that we gave to our son as a gift when he turned 13. He had asked for one at the time and enjoyed the bird for several years. Now my son is 20 yrs old and in college. He doesn't have interest or time for the bird anymore, sadly. My husband and I have been caring for the bird. We'd like to rehome him if we can find somebody that is ready for that kind of pet.
He was hand raised by a pet store in Macomb, IL. We bought him when he was only a few months old. We have been his only family.
He was bonded to my son, but he will also sit on our shoulders and heads. He's friendly most of the time but I know he craves more social interaction.

Jennifer Lazarz
Cell 309-335-7954

11/17/2024

As of today, you guys have helped raise $1330 towards our truck repairs. WOW! Many of the donations came from new names, some from long term donors. We thank each and every one of you for your contributions, especially this close to the holidays. We still need about $300 more, then we will be set for a long time. The rescue truck has stuck around for many many years and has been an invaluable resource to us. Plus, our mechanics are the best.

If you're struggling financially to donate, please consider saving up newspapers and donating those, or plain untreated pine lumber! We use almost 100 newspapers every time we clean all the cages in the building- so 250 newspapers a week.
There's lots of ways to help us care for the birds in the highest capacity and we wouldn't be able to do any of it without all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, we truly appreciate our community.

11/17/2024

December 3rd is Giving Tuesday. It has been an important source of general funding for us. I hope all of you can help. If every follower donated FIVE dollars, it would cover our budget for six months!

11/14/2024

Here's a quick easy way to donate. This link goes straight to Paypal, where you can create a one-time donation or set up a monthly supporting donation. You don't need a Paypal account, just a credit or debit card.

Help support iowa parrot rescue inc. by donating or sharing with your friends.