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We are looking to add more bird success stories!

If you are a foster home for the All Bird Rescue Foster Network, please send in your stories to be posted here. Simply e-mail birdmedic@gmail.com a photo with a brief history and story about the rescued bird(s). Readers really enjoy hearing about the birds we all rescue.

 

Jumper
image of cockatiel named Jumper.
Jumper, a normal gray Cockatiel this bird was given up because of the noise and the fact that there will be a new human baby in the family. Jumper has found a new great and loving home with a new pearl cockatiel "girlfriend" as well as a great retired adoptive couple to take care of him.

Vanilla Mist
image of an old dutch capuchine pigeon
This is a white Old Dutch Capuchine pigeon. Vinalla Mist was brought in to us on September 24, 2005. He is just another very sweet bird looking for a good home

Baby
image of baby, a cockatiel
This is Baby a 3 year old Cockatiel. Baby's last human companion was stricken with cancer & could no longer take care of him. He seems a little timid now with his new companion and surroundings, but his previous human companion said he was very friendly with him. Baby loves rope toys, he has disassembled several since his arrival here at the rescue.

Sprinkles
image of a nun pigeon
This is Sprinkles a Nun Pigeon. Nun Pigeons, a variety of Tumblers, were first raised in Holland in the early 1600's. Tumbler Pigeons got their name due to a frequent and regular tumble they do while in flight. This tumbling phenomenon is thought to be caused by a genetic defect in the birds' inner ear (its' balance center). Good tumblers today have become very scarce. Tumblers are grouped into two varieties, long beaks and short beaks. Sprinkles is of the long beak variety. Germy (See Bird of the Month December 2004 on our website) is an example of a short beaked Pigeon, however Germy an Old German Shield Owl Pigeon is NOT a type of Tumbler. Another type of Pigeon that can be a lot of fun is a Roller Pigeon, which is closely related to the Tumbler. Rollers are the Kings & Queens of the air doing forward and backward somersaults over 33 feet across the sky while only loosing 13 feet or less in altitude. (WARNING: before you let your Pigeons fly free, they must be well trained in the art of Homing. ALSO: Pigeons with a lot of white on their body are easy targets for the predatory birds and animals here in the Arizona Desert.) We have several solid black and Blue Bar Pigeons up for adoption that are very tame and would make great Homing Pigeons, as well as loving pets for someone. Sprinkles has a good amount of white on him, therefore he would not be a very good bird to have flying free. Sprinkles, however will perform some great acrobatics even in a small aviary for you, as well as coo & cuddle up to your chest. He will stay on a perch in your home while enjoying his time with you. He is great with kids, will not bite, and loves to eat treats (safflower seeds) right out of your hand. Sprinkles is an older bird that just lost his life's partner 2 months ago to old age, but he is adjusting as well as can be expected after loosing a loved one.

Spunky & Spaz
image of two chickens
This is Spunky Chicken (gray head) & Spaz (solid black). These 2 very young chicks were brought in on April 11, 2005 By Animal Control Officer G. Benedetto #14619 of the City of Mesa Police Department. Both Chickens were stuffed into a very small finch cage, duct taped in, and thrown into an apartment complexes trash dumpster. This happened in the downtown Mesa Area. Spunky & Spaz would love to see this horrible person come to justice. If you have any information about this animal cruelty crime that took place on 4/11/05 please contact the City of Mesa Police Department at 480 644-2268 and ask for Officer G. Benedetto #14619. We have no idea how long these sweet birds were in the 90+ degree heat in the dumpster. They were both treated for dehydration & malnourishment here at the rescue. Since this occurred just two weeks after Easter, it is our guess that they must have been a bad idea Easter gift; the chicks grew fast; they did not know what to do with them; and threw them away. Some other people buy other birds; find that they do not like sharing there lives with them; so they let them fly out the door; not knowing they will most likely die out in the desert. YOU CAN HELP US STOP THIS!!! Make it a priority for you to tell just 10 people you meet that the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center will take in any pet or farm bird, and find a great home for them to enjoy their life. If we can save just one bird by this word of mouth, then both you and I can feel we did our part.

Ci-Ci
image of a blue and gold macaw with their new human companions
This is Pamela Quintanilla & Dartland Dearden with their newest family member Ci-Ci, formally known as Climber. Ci-Ci, trying to take over the whole picture is an 11-year-old Blue & Gold Macaw, which was in two homes before coming here to the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center in February 2005. Most large Macaws live to be Octogenarians with others living an average of 50-65 years. Macaws are bright, curious, energetic, and fun loving companions. Macaws require the right recipe to thrive. This includes having just the right family, lots of love, lots of time & patients, a wide variety of seed, fruits, vegetables, nuts, pellets, healthy table foods, and a whole lot of space to explore. Macaws can be great talkers (not as much so as African Greys) but they can hold their own. Ci-Ci can only say a few words, but she says them with an ultimate celerity and distinction. She is developing a nice bond with her new mom & dad. This is the forth bird that Pamela & Dartland have adopted from us. They spotted their first bird Sundance, a Cockatiel on the Channel 3 evening News in 2003. They instantly fell in love with Sundance (August 2003 Bird of the Month). CI-CI shares her home with 2 Cockatiels, 1 Parakeet, and 2 Humans. All 4 of the birds they have adopted are still a thriving part of their family to this day.

Odie & Pickles
photo of two quaker parrots
This is Lavern Pruitt with her two Quakers, Odie & Pickles, she adopted on April 13, 04. Pickles shown on her shoulder (age unknown) was brought to the Rescue on March 9, 04. Pickles became lovingly bonded to Mrs. Pruitt while she volunteered here at the Rescue. Pickles is a very sweet & affectionate bird. Odie, born in August 2002, came to the Rescue on April 9, 2004 after loosing his previous home of 2 years due to the owners failing health. Odie's vocabulary is clear & extensive. He can say "what doin, what ya doin, what are you doing, take a bath, I'm a good boy, I'm a bad boy, be a good boy, gimmee kiss, thank you, what, huh, gimmee-gimmee, good morning, corn, come on-come on, peek, peek-a-boo, (he loves to play peek a boo), go nite nite now, and ha ha". Quaker Parrots can be great birds to have - if they are legal for you to own! If you do not plan to live in your current state for the remainder of your birds life. (Quaker Parrots can live 15-22+ years). Make absolutely sure to check the laws in the states that you will travel through as well as the state that you plan to move to. It is Illegal to own or possess Quaker parrots in the following states: Tennessee, California, Wyoming, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, & Rhode Island. Maine & New Jersey requires you to have a permit (which is not always granted). Ohio requires that all Quakers be incapable of flight & have their flight wings trimmed at all times. Remember not all pets that are legal to own in all states. Take a few minutes now to learn about any pet you wish to adopt / buy, this could save you from some heartache and expensive fines in the future.

Germy
image of a german shield owl
This is Germy a Old German Shield Owl Pigeon with his new owner Debbie Krone. Germy (sitting on Debbie's head) loves to fly all around the store and is loved by all. Germy came to the rescue on January 5, 2004 and adopted by Debbie on July 17, 2004. The Old German Shield Owl is a short, broad, round, white owl with a proud bearing. The breed originated is Asia, but was perfected in Germany. This bird is very similar to the African Owl (the smallest of the owls introduced to Europe form Tunisia in 1850), but has shield markings & a short, stumpy, flesh colored beak. There are smooth headed, point headed and scallop headed varieties. This bird is know for its strong human-bird bonding. A great pet bird for a lover of birds. We still have (update 5/18/2005: we have found a home for this baby; but we have more great birds still looking for homes.) a similar bird ready for adoption, an Oriental Frill Satinette Owl a breed which was originally bred by the Greeks & the Turks, but the Dutch & the English perfected it. The O.F.S.O. is a small, charming pigeon with a friendly manner. The bird stands low on its feet, has a somewhat squat body shape & has feathered feet. Specimens with light colored head feathers have orange eyes, while those with darker feathers have white eyes. The jabot consists of a row of well developed feathers. Because of feeding difficulties resulting from the short beak, the young are usually transferred to foster care.

Blackie & Blondie
image of man with two silkies
This is Blackie & Blondie both female Silkies with their new owner Tom Yarger. Both Chickens came to the rescue on November 18, 2003 with 8 other chickens. Blackie & Blondie are both litter box trained and enjoy cleaning up dropped food in the bird room. Blackie loves to be cuddled and enjoys watching television with Tom and his wife. "A perfect two legged lap cat for us".

Mathew & Chi-Chi
image of man with white faced cockatiel
This is Mathew a White Faced Cockatiel with his new owner Adolfo Galaz and his new girlfriend Chi-Chi, a White Faced Pied Cockatiel. Mathew came here in December 2003 with his son Sam also a White Faced like his dad. Sam has also found a new loving home. Mathew has a strong desire to sit on people's shoulders and play with their ears. Mathew spends the greater part of his day whistling and singing to Chi-Chi.

Cisco
blue and gold macaw
This is Cisco a Blue & Gold Macaw with her new owner Sharon Venable. Cisco was rescued on 7-10-04 from a home with no time or patients for her. In the 2 weeks that she has stayed with us, Cisco has already started to re-grow her feathers. She is a very friendly and vocal bird. Cisco is still improving at her new home. She is to be paired up with a male blue and gold Macaw. There are many reasons that a bird might feather pick. Feather picking may be the result of frustration, boredom, over preening, fear, breeding, anxiety, psychosis, hormonal, lack of sleep, bad human / bird match, abuse, or just a bad habit. It may also be caused by many medical reasons as well, such as fungal infections, liver disease, allergies, parasites, oil, endocrine problems, psittacosis, renal, tumors, toxins, dermatitis, malnutrition, air sacculitis, folliculitis, etc. (please remember to never punish a bird for any reason, and never try to keep a bird from vocalizing; doing so may result in feather picking or other self mutilating behaviors.) If you have a bird that feather picks, we recommend a book called "A Bird's Eye View!" available at http://www.birdplanettv.com/InsideTheBook.html

Blinkie & Wingie
photo of cocktiels
This is Blinkie & Wingie with their new owner Marsha Yarger. Blinkie & Wingie were rescued on 2-13-04 by Wes Small an ASCS member from a neighbor of his that was neglecting them. They would be left out of doors for day and weeks at a time (when they left on trips) with no food or water. Thankfully Wes is agile enough to hop fences and be sure they at least got some food and water. Marsha adopted Blinkie & Wingie on 2-29-04. Blinkie loves Wingie, he whistle to her all the time while saying "hello pretty bird" to her. They enjoy cuddling with each other on their favorite branch most of the day. Wingie loves her little swing. Fingers beware, if you try to touch Wingie when Blinkie is around, he may have only one eye, but he is fast to protect his lady. Wingie has a non set broken wing that was never taken care of at her previous location. Blinkie only has a right eye, his left is not there for some unknown reason. The word disability doesn't slow down either of these two. There are many disabled birds out their that are in need of great homes. Some without toes, feet, legs, wings, feathers, beaks, etc. that are still very entertaining and agile. Birds are very adaptive pets that can overcome there disabilities. Physically challenged birds can sometimes make wonderful loving pets. Remember not to judge a bird by its feathers.

Snowflake
image of budgie walking in a toy village
This is Snowflake a pure white very energetic albino Budgie just taking a casual stroll through our autumn village. Snowflake, rescued on July, 5 2000 was one of the first birds that we saved from a neglectful environment. He went from being a very skinny bird to being a very hefty bird. We still have to take him out of his friend filled flight until all the other Budgies eat at least 1/2 of the millet sprays or other high calorie snacks, since he hoards all the food for himself. Dr. Driggers says this is normal for a bird that had lived in a home with little to no food at times. He just has the need to gorge on the food for the fear that he will not have any in the future, as in his past. He still acts this way after nearly 4 years of having all he needs. (except for the very high in fat foods) He had some tail pumping 2 years ago, but now with a lower healthier weight he can breath much easier now. (tail pumping is common, especially in English Budgies. This pumping action helps the bird take in a little more air with each breath.)

Reggie & Riley
yellow crowned amazons
This is Reggie and Riley, both birds are Yellow Crowned Amazons. They are both clowns. They love to take noon time showers every day they open their wings saying every word they know. Reggie knows lots of words, but he wont be outdone by Riley. These 2 birds are pictured above with their newly adopted owner. They will enjoy the great space of an 9 foot by 9 foot by 9 foot outdoor aviary right next to two other Yellow Crown Amazons

Cherry
frizzle chicken

This is Cherry. Cherry is a Red Frizzle Chicken, she is about 1/2 the size of the other chickens. She is dying from malignant carcinoma (cancer), she has had some of her tumors removed but more just keeps growing back. Carcinoma is a type of tumor, an abnormal mass of tissue growth. Cherry is housed with her best friend Gray, a gray Silkie. Her favorite food is live bugs and crickets, she gets all excited when she see a cricket during her free time, an hour each day to patrol the entire yard. Pray for Cherry, maybe a miracle will happen. I hope she touched your heart like it did ours.

(update - 3/5/04 -- I regret to announce that Cherry has past away on my birthday March 1, 2004. I will miss the way she use to always make me smile and feel loved, and always following me around the yard in her attempts to get me to scratch her neck and back. Cherry, I Love & Miss you so much. Sincerely. Rod Villemaire, President of the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center.)

Love & Mercy
photo of a white and ring neck dove
This is Love & Mercy. Love is the White Dove & Mercy is the Ring Neck Dove. They were rescued with other doves that are also up for adoption. They like the new aviary that they reside in but; they really want a home with YOU. They have been here for four months now. Their favorite food is Sunflower Seed. They also like the Chicken Crumble that we feed the chickens, I guess that they do not know they are not Chickens. I hope these birds touched your heart like it did ours.

Largo
photo of cockatiel
This is Largo a gray & white Cockatiel rescued October 2003. Largo was adopted by her new family in December 2003. She now also lives with Yoda (see Yoda below) and family. Both Largo & Yoda get along great. Yoda loves to preen Largo with his big old beak.

Yoda
photo of a senegal parrot
This is Yoda a Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus Senegalus) he can also be called a yellow-Bellied parrot. Most Senegal's are 9 inches in length. Senegal's in the wild live in the northwestern part Africa. Their habitat is mostly dry, sparsely wooded savannas and open forests. Yoda loves his favorite treat - peanuts. Yoda came to us after living with an elderly woman for 7 years. She had to go into a nursing home due to poor health. Yoda is now in a new home with a new family to call his own. He is with the same family that adopted Largo the Cockatiel. Yoda and Largo preen each other and are reported to us to be the best of friends. What a happy ending...

Angel & Pretty Girl
photo of budgies
Angel & Pretty Girl were rescued August 4th 2003 Angel is a male indigo purple parakeet. Pretty Girl is a female white & blue parakeet. They have been together for 3 years. They now live with about 20 other parakeets. Angel & Pretty Girl do not hang out much any more, but they have made some new friends. They are with us now because their owner could not take them on the move to a new apartment. Angel & Pretty Girl have homes.

Baby Bell
photo of a cockatiel
Baby Bell (Baby) is a mostly gray Cockatiel with some white and a bright yellow head. She is the sweetest little bird I have ever seen. We treat her like a little princess. Baby says "hello baby", she barks like both a small & large dog, and she makes kissing noises. Baby loves millet, bread, and anyone that will scratch her head. She also imitates two of our phones ring sounds and imitates the touch tone noises of a phone. Baby Bell has a home.

Sun-Dance AKA "Jaws"
photo of a cockatiel
Sun-Dance (JAWS) is a mostly yellow Cockatiel with some white and a touch of gray. He is not a very friendly bird now though he has made a new Cockatiel friend here named Marge. Sun-Dance will go out of his way to try and attack any person in the room or any bird other than Marge. Sun-Dance was bought to us because his owner had had enough. He spent years of watching his young children in the home constantly tease and torture the poor bird. Since his rescue on June 23, 2003 we have spent countless hours with him. He is now to the point where will perch hesitantly on our hand. He named himself Sun-Dance, for as the sun comes up in the morning he dances a little dance for about one hour non-stop. He also loves to go on the prowl like a shark to see what unexpecting birds or humans he can bite. Hence his other nickname Jaws.

Whoopi Goldberg
Photo of a chicken
Whoopi Goldberg AKA a black & white chicken rescued on June 16, 2002. Whoopi likes to dance to music and does a twirl dance just like the one Whoopi Goldberg did in the movie "Sister Act" hence her name. We rescued her along with four other pet chickens that could no longer stay where they were. She enjoys the secure 8X8X8 foot cool misted sanctuary they live in. She loves to eat bread and fresh greens. she spends most of her time relaxing in her nest box. She provides lots of fresh eggs for all our other birds to eat. Whoopi has a home.

Princess
photo of a yellow and black hartz roller canary
Princess was rescued in October 2001. She is a yellow & black Hartz Roller Canary. She loves multi-grain bread & millet sprays. Just try and hold her back when there is fresh broccoli florets in her cage. Did you know, not too long ago people around the world used canaries to warn them of danger in mining caves. If the canary died, they would know to evacuate right away. They used canaries because of their very sensitive respiratory system. Many canaries gave their lives to save many human lives. (update Princess now has a home)

Honey Drop
photo of a budgie
Honey Drop born March 22, 1998, a cream & tan female English Budgie was rescued on March 22, 2001 with her mate Mr. King, a green parakeet. She was the 4th bird we rescued. She has 3 offspring living with her named Prince (green), Chicken (bright yellow), and Rose (solid cream). Her mate Mr. King born on November 1, 1998 Passed away on September 2, 2001 from Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy (an autoimmune disorder causing an enlarged heart) discovered at his Necropsy. Honey Drop is inseparable from her daughter Chicken. Honey Drops favorite food is millet spays. Honey Drop now has a home.

Yellow & Buddy
photo of two budgies sitting with the taco bell dogs
Yellow and Buddy a pair of male Parakeets were rescued on April 6, 2002. Yellow is mostly yellow with some green on his back and chest; Buddy is a green and black. Yellow and Buddy are both males and have lived together for 3 years. Their previous owners had to move out of state and could not take them along. Yellow loves to eat celery, and Buddy loves to eat anything in front of him! Yellow and Buddy both enjoy there new home.

Jingle Bells
cockatiel
Jingle Bells a gray, white, yellow, and orange Cockatiel rescued on October 18, 2002. He was recaptured from the wild. Jingle Bells loves cooked spaghetti and wheat bread. He loves to whistle Jingle Bells the song as well as several other songs. He also talks. Jingle Bells has a home now.

Homer
photo of a white eyed conure
Homer a White Eyed Conure was rescued on November 18, 2002. Homer was found outside of a pool in spa store by its employees. He was stuck about 20 feet high in a tree. His chest was plucked totally clean and his left wing was clipped inappropriately to all feathers on his left, the primaries, secondaries, secondary coverts, and his greater wing coverts. His other side was not clipped at all. He couldn't fly at all, or for that matter even get off the ground. Homer is happy with us at the center. He self mutilates if adopted.

Lucky
budgie
Lucky a blue, yellow, and black Budgie was rescued on October 24, 2002. Lucky was found outside of an office building in downtown Phoenix. A worker remembered seeing our story in the newspaper and got our number. After she picked him up, Lucky flew rights to her shoulder. Lucky looked like he has not eaten for days or even weeks. Lucky had his wings fully grown. We highly recommend that all bird owners keep their birds wings clipped at all times to avoid something like this from happening to your birds. Lucky has been placed in a home now 1-14-03.

Christmas Snow (Crissy)
image of a budgie
Christmas Snow (Crissy) a white, blue, & black Budgie was rescued on December 2, 2001. Crissy's 1st owner returned her to the breeder in Newport News, VA because her left foot was paralyzed they sadly named her "dummy" since she kept falling off perches. As you can see her left foot is pretty contracted. The breeder gave her away to her 2nd owner instead of destroying her. After the death threat was over the 2nd owner realized that it was not fair to keep her around her cats. Crissy, now 7 years old, likes millet, honey sticks, corn, and kale. She loves to be misted in the mornings and receives daily range of motion therapy on her foot to prevent further deformity. She perches & climbs around just fine. Crissy is one of the main reasons why we do what we do today. Crissy has a home now.

Buttercup
photo of a canary
Buttercup is a cute yellow with black canary rescued in October 2001 from a house with to many cats for her to relax in. She is now 4 years old. She was born in Nag's Head NC. Her previous owner said she has raised two clutches per year for two years, and that she is a very good mother. Buttercup loves to take a bath in the morning and she is always the first in line. Saying "me" "me" "me"...... until she gets her nice warm bath. Buttercup has a home now.

Saint Nicholas (Nicky)
photo of a budgie wearing a straw hat
Saint Nicholas (Nicky) a Blue & White English Budgie that was rescued on December 20, 2001 from a home with too many allergies for him to stay. Nicky is 5 years old and was use to the city life in Downtown Virginia Beach, but as you can see he has adjusted just fine to the country life. Nicky just loves to be in the office with us on his perch next to the computer. Nicky's favorite food is Millet Sprays and fresh Snow Peas. Nicky has a home now.

Cinderella (Cindy)
image of a canary
Cinderella (Cindy) a yellow Canary that was rescued on October 26, 2001 She was extremely skinny, no tail feathers, and bald. She use to be very skittish of any people, noises or other birds. She is now comfortable around humans and other birds (even these brass birds above). Cindy also now sports a beautiful full head of feathers. Cindy's favorite vegetables are fresh broccoli, kale, and corn on the cob. Cindy has a home.