Sunshine: female. Miligold MacawHatch date: 1991 Acquired: 04-03
The typical journey. Sunshine was purchased as a baby by a young couple while on a honeymoon in Florida. She was well cared for & loved. Then came a baby & 18 months later a bite on the hand. Sunshine was given to a bird shop. She became attached to the male owner but was aggressive with the other birds, employees & customers. So for the next year she spent a lot of time in a cage. I spent a lot hours with her & the other birds and one day she came to me to be picked up. It was a solid bond but definitely her choice and the only instance I've ever had where the bird picked me. I asked & was allowed to have her.
Sunshine is one of our educational birds and is a prime example of the beauty and benefits of an older bird.
Ollie: male. Military MacawHatch date: 1997 ? Acquired: 06-03
Ollie was a "package deal" purchase by a couple. Buy the cage & I'll throw in the parrot. Ollie was never handled during his first two years but his new owner was able to get him to step up for the short trip to his outdoor perch.
The couple then downsized to a town house & because of the smaller space & close neighbors they needed to find Ollie a new home. Ollie is curious about people but prefers to just be a bird and hang out with his best friend Rainbow. These two do everything together. At times it looks like a single bird in a mirror.
Rainbow: male. Military MacawHatch date: 1987 Acquired: 10-19-03
Rainbow has endured the loss of bird companions. He was placed in my care by The Gabriel foundation after being sent there by a caring breeder. A win/win for Ollie & Rainbow. These two were calling to each from day one and constantly thru the remaining quarantine period until they were put together. They see past the missing feathers & the deformed beak and only see a best friend. Rainbow is a bit more interested in people and is always the first to step up but he is not willing to stray too far from Ollie.
Michael: male. Double Yellow Head AmazonHatch date: 1979 Acquired: 12-03
Michael is a well behaved, sweet bird. He was purchased as a baby by a young man from a pet store in Grand Junction CO. They were companion thru out school & into the priest hood. Unfortunately he was forced to find Michael a new home due to a severe medical condition. Michael was taken to The Gabriel foundation. Michael is quite vocal and is quick to make friends. He is fully flighted and helps "make" breakfast for the flock every morning.
Bubba: male. Moluccan CockatooHatch date: Wild caught (1977) ? Acquired: 2-21-04
Bubba, what a big beautiful boy. He too was fortunate to find himself at The Gabriel foundation. I do not know how long he spent as a free bird. but do know he has not forgotten the calls of the wild & at times reminds us of just how powerful & loud a cockatoo can be. He has no problem making chew toys out of baseboards, window casings, 2x6 or most anything else. The world is his playground and that makes Bubba the best 1-bird demolition crew we have. He loves a good head scrunch and his showers. Bubba is timid with strangers and pretty leery of men. He lost a great friend, Java a few years ago and is always looking to make new bird friends. He hasn't quite convinced the other cockatoos that he is a just a big guy looking for a friend and the other birds just don't have any interest in him. Still he is very sweet.