Heartland Avian Rescue Project

04/01/2025

03/26/2025

As promised, we do have a couple more birds to introduce to you today! These cockatiels are a bonded pair and must be adopted together. For more information about them, please visit us at www.heartlandavianrescueproject.org.

03/24/2025

We do have a couple of new birds that are now available for adoption, and Jackie is the first one we will introduce you to! There is additional information about him on our website; visit us at www.heartlandavianrescueproject.org for more details!

03/10/2025

Speaking of cages not being big enough...

We have a couple of parrots now in rescue who desperately require bigger cages, and we need to get them to Omaha as soon as possible! Our kind friends at A&E Cage Company have given us an incredible discount for one shipment of cages, and we wanted to extend it to anyone here who wants to purchase a new cage. We will be placing our order by this Friday, March 14, so you only have a couple of days to join.

Go to www.aecageco.com and browse their extensive supply of cages. Through messenger let us know which model number(s) you are interested by Thursday, and we can get you the exact cost (it is usually about 30% off of MSRP). Cages will ship to us, and you will need to make arrangements to get it to your own home from west Omaha.

Serious inquiries only; cash deposit required to place the order.

03/10/2025

A message from our friends at International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots:

Did you know that every time a parrot is purchased, even legally, from a store or a breeder, their "value" trickles down to areas where they fly free?

Today is International Day — join us in shining light on the harm rendered unto by the human desire to keep them in cages.

Despite international anti-poaching policies and frameworks around the world, parrotscontinue to be trafficked to meet the demands of the global pet trade. 29% of all parrot species on the planet are listed as critically endangered, endangered or threatened on the IUCN Red List. 58% of all parrot species are in decline. In many areas, the poaching rate is100% - no chicks escape the wildlife trade. 90% of trapped birds die after capture.

Did you know that parrots are one of the most frequently abandoned of all companionanimals? Their wild nature and natural inclination for loud and frequent vocalizations, aggression, and destruction of property are too much for most guardians. Standard pet industry practices, such as hand-rearing (i.e., parental deprivation) further complicate factors, as they actually undermine a parrot's ability to mature into a psychologically healthy,well-adjusted adult, and increases the likelihood of a bird's failure as a "pet". Even the most loving parrot guardians often find themselves unable to care for their longtimepets in the event of declining health, financial struggle, or other life circumstances. So it'snot surprising that sanctuaries across the globe are at capacity, unable to address daily requests for surrender as more and more birds flood the market from breeders.

This is the . The best way to help parrots is to and support your local sanctuary or rescue. If you love parrots, don’t buy, breed, or sell them. We must stop thinking of these wild animals as “pets”.

To learn more or get involved with protecting parrots, follow the International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots orvisit www.parrotalliance.org. Together, we can end the parrot crisis.

02/19/2025

Today, a note about surrendering...

We recently read some posts in another online forum from individuals (or friends/family of individuals) who had gotten themselves into a bit of a jam by having too many birds, but being afraid to surrender them because they did not want to be charged with neglect or reported to other agencies who might take action against their families.

MBS, or Multiple Bird Syndrome, can be a real thing! You get one bird, and it is so cute and so fun, but you sense it needs a friend, so you get another one. Then you meet another species of bird and find it is amazing and then one just magically drops in your lap like it was meant to be! Soon a friend tells a friend that you are some kind of bird whisperer and they have a bird they don’t want any more so you take it in. There is not a magic number of birds, or a threshold you cross between a lot of birds and too many birds, but if you have the time, energy, space, and resources to care for every bird (along with your other responsibilities), you are probably fine. For some folks, 3 is a lot and 4 would cross that line; for others it might be 22 but not 23.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, and want to surrender parrots (one or many) without fear of additional red flags being raised, please reach out to us. The sooner you can do this, the easier it will be. Waiting until every other avenue has been tried may indeed lead to unintended consequences. There are many options that you have, and we would like to help be part of the solution.

Keep in mind that we work with parrots only (also known as “hookbills”); if you have canaries, pigeons, doves, finches, or other animals in need of surrender, we have connections to other rescues and groups that do work with companion animals. Also, we do not have authority to seize birds or any other animals; the owner must sign the paperwork willingly, acknowledging that custody is being transferred to us.

You can reach us by emailing [email protected]; for emergencies, please text ‪us (402) 431-2096‬ and we will respond within 12-24 hours.

02/10/2025

A friendly reminder! If you have applied to adopt a parrot from us, agreeing to the requirements of the adoption, and have not heard back from HARP, please check your spam folders! Sometimes, emails from us are unrecognized and get stuck in email purgatory -- and are automatically sent to a "junk" or spam folder. We have caught up on all the eligible applications, and reached out to everyone. We want to talk further with you!

01/22/2025

We have had great interest in Endora, which is wonderful! While we work through the applications that we currently have for her, we will not be accepting additional applications starting today. If for some strange reason her forever home is not within these applications, we will let you know when we open up her adoption again! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your interest and support!

NOTE: if you have submitted an application for Endora and have not yet received a response, please know that this is in the works. Again, we have so much interest in her and our volunteer team has been struggling to keep up. We appreciate everyone's patience with the process.

01/13/2025

Who's ready to meet a new bird? We couldn't fit all the great things about Endora on this post, but we tried to highlight some of the best. ;) For more information about her, visit www.heartlandavianrescueproject.org.

01/12/2025

Regular bathing is key when it comes to the health of our companion birds. Plain, fresh water is all that is needed -- if you have a trusted source of all-natural aloe, you can add a little to the water, but avoid using any kind of soap or shampoo.

Freshen up is the 5th step in our "5 Steps to Better Bird Welfare."

In the wild, birds do their bathing in the rain. Likewise, birds in captivity need opportunities to bathe to keep their feathers clean and in good condition and for their well being. Bathing also allows them to mimic their natural behaviors like preening and makes for a great enrichment activity. Bathing with the flock can be especially stimulating and fun!

And birds have their own preferences as to how they like to bath. Some are shower lovers while others enjoy being sprayed with the fine mist of a handheld spray bottle.

Then they are the bowl dippers – birds that prefer to immerse their bodies into the water. Just set out a shallow bowl or container filled with water and let the splish-splashing action begin! Small birds often chose wiggling around on wet lettuce leaves.

In all cases, the water should be a comfortable temperature, neither too cool nor too warm. If your bird prefers showering with you, make sure it’s a gentle spray and the water pressure is not too strong. How frequently your bird needs a bath depends on their preference. More tips at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/bathing-your-bird-390665

01/09/2025

If you have a single bird in your home, remember that YOU and your family are its entire flock! They require lots of daily interaction and time out of the cage, as well as toys and enrichment items to explore on their own inside their cage. If you have multiple birds, whether they are the same or different species, they may form their own flock! One of our board members has birds that are about the same size but different species, housed in their own cages, but in the same room. They are not allowed to be out of the cage at the same time (one is fairly aggressive toward the other), but they display flock behaviors -- like bathing at the same time, eating together, vocalizing together -- and clearly benefit from being part of a social group.

Birds of a feather flock together! A swarm of of geese, swans, or songbirds flying in formation brings us to look up to the sky. The freedom of flight and the safety of being in a flock means a lot to birds in the wild.

But sadly, many parrots and other exotic birds kept in captivity spend their days confined to their cage without ever having the companionship of their own kind. This is akin to you never being in the company of another human.

That is why Step 4 of our "5 Steps to Better Bird Welfare" is FLOCK! Parrots thrive on social interaction - with birds and with humans. It's up to bird caretakers to fulfill the necessary companionship and provide enrichment activities to keep birds happy and healthy. One way is to consider adopting another bird in need! Some tips at: https://www.avianwelfare.org/links/organizations.htm

01/08/2025

Enrichment opportunities, including toys and foraging trays, are just as important to the health of your bird as the right diet! Toys can be expensive to buy, especially if you have a bird who can easily destroy one in a few hours, but you can use safe household items to make your own and supplement the ones you purchase. Remember, birds DO need things to destroy -- it keeps their beaks in good condition, it can be a way to release frustration and is sometimes even good exercise! Some bird-safe parts? Plain white paper plates, unbleached coffee filters, unwaxed paper muffin liners, (clean) cardboard (free from inks, dyes, or glue), reusable parts from otherwise destroyed toys (or from toys your birds have not shown interest in as they were first presented), etc.

Birds just want to have fun! Keeping these highly intelligent, active, and socially adapted birds fulfilled in a captive setting is a challenge.

Parrots and other exotic birds are not domesticated animals even when bred in captivity. As the native species of other countries, their physical and behavioral needs remain intact. That means they’re a handful in captivity!

Think about it. In the wild, our birds would be flying many miles a day, foraging for food, socializing with other birds, mating and raising their young.

Keeping those busy beaks, inquiring minds, and active bodies occupied in captivity is a necessity. Birds need a variety of toys to chew and shred and plenty of foraging and enrichment opportunities. No more barren cages please!

Check out “10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird.”
https://www.avianwelfare.org/shelters/pdf/NBD_shelters_before_adopting.pdf

01/06/2025

We believe that a bird's wings should never be clipped unless medically necessary. The ability to fly provides a crucial component to a bird's daily exercise and mental well being. It also allows them a better opportunity to escape danger, whether that be another household pet indoors, or a predator if they happen to escape outdoors.

Ask any person on the street what behavior birds are best known for, and their overwhelming answer would be "FLIGHT." A bird in flight often represents the very symbol of freedom.

Unfortunately, many birds in captivity spend their lives confined to cages; some may never know the joy of free flight.

As bird caretakers, we need to provide birds with safe out-of-cage time and ample space to express their active and inquisitive nature. An indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room (windows covered or other areas of escape, no cats or dogs/no ceiling fans, etc.) that will allow the bird(s) to fly is great for exercise! Those birds that for safety or medical reasons need to be clipped, can get exercise by climbing, swinging, and flapping, if provided with ample space, toys, and climbing structures.

Follow us for Step 3 of our "5 Steps to Better Bird Welfare.”

01/05/2025

Happy National Bird Day! We will be sharing some helpful and informative posts this week from our friends at Avian Welfare Coalition, so make sure to check in frequently!

National Bird Day is about creating a better world for birds. This means creating a world where no one wants to see a bird in a cage, but it also means improving the welfare of those birds who are already in captivity. Thousands of birds live in captive situations that could, and need to be, vastly improved.

We created these "5 Steps to better bird welfare" to help change individual birds' lives.

Let's start with Step 1. Birds need a varied diet and fresh food! Did you know the vast majority of birds are fed all seed diets? All seed diets lead to multiple health problems not to mention boring for birds. Share this message and check back tomorrow for Step 2.

12/25/2024

We at HARP hope you and your flock (humans, fuzzies, and birds!) are having a wonderful holiday! Sweet Pea brought you a present! Be merry and warm and enjoy your day.

12/19/2024

Good morning! Here is some good info for when you are looking at cages for your flock. We hope you are having a good week!