Meet the Flock

Our birds include several types of Macaws and Cockatoos, African Gray parrots, Amazon parrots and Conures. Each of them has a story – many filled with abuse and neglect. Several of the birds have become so neurotic that they cannot be easily cared for. Other birds in Garuda Aviary have coped with their past trauma by becoming aggressive and difficult to handle. Because we wish to break the cycle of suffering, Garuda Aviary does not adopt out its parrots. Instead, we provide sanctuary until the end of their natural lives.

All of our birds receive love, affection and daily attention by our devoted volunteer staff. With their physical and emotional needs met, our birds can finally lead fulfilling lives. And, unlike many pet birds, they get to live in a flock environment and have lots of room to play!

	Amigo, a Pionus Parrot received from a loving home that felt our stable flock would be best for Amigo when they had to give him up due to life changes. This is a good reason we offer sanctuary for the birds so they do not have to go between homes in their lifetime. Amigo is very sweet and seems to like having the Conures nearby her cage.
	Scarlet is a Golden-capped Conure. (We’re not really sure if Scarlet is a he or a she, but s/he is spectacular nonetheless!) Scarlet arrived at Garuda Aviary along with her buddy, Lovey, because their owner’s five dogs were potentially dangerous to the birds. Scarlet’s funny little habit is to lean her back against your chest while you rub her beak! She is delightfully affectionate and oh, so cute.
	Lollie, a Jenday conure, came to Garuda Aviary along with Chewy. Chewy and Lollie were hatchmates who were adopted separately by their owner. Lollie alone was a delight, but when Chewy was added, the ear-splitting conure screaming began! It’s hard to believe the racket that can come from such pretty little birds. Screaming—especially at sunrise and sunset—is an instinctive behavior that serves to alert the flock that it’s time to move. At Garuda Aviary, they are free to scream as loud as they want, and we have the earplugs to prove it!
	Chewy is a Jenday Conure, and, like the rest of our conures, he is both adorable and noisy! Many people adopt conures based on their petite size and spectacular plumage, not knowing how incredibly loud they can be. The addition of Chewy to her owner’s home inspired her first conure, Lollie, to become quite the screamer. Screaming from joy (it’s a flock thing), they wore down the nerves of their owner and her dogs, and Garuda Aviary soon became their new home.
	Angel, a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, was 14 when she came to Garuda Aviary. Her owner was dying of kidney cancer, and loved her too much to risk putting her on the home-to-home merry-go-round so many parrots suffer. He wanted to ensure that she would be cared for the rest of her life. But typical of cockatoos, Angel was deeply bonded to him and has had difficulty adjusting to the other birds. Will she find true love again? We are hoping the new Sulphur-Crested, Omar, will consider this lonely girl his personal angel.
	McGyver (African Gray) is an eleven year old with a lot of life experience. He lived with two birds, Echo (who was a myna), and Tango (who was a sun conure). Now McGyver lives happily at the aviary right next to the conures so he feels right at home. He loves to play ball, and once in awhile you can catch him saying “I’m so pretty” and “I love you.” More often, though, you’ll hear him doing an amazing cell phone imitation. McGyver is slow to make friends, but once he does, you’re a friend for life.
	Cosmo is a Goffin’s Cockatoo and was one of our first birds, found in a Maryland pet store. He had belonged to a teenager for the first year of his life, was not handled much, and then the boy left for college. The parents didn’t much like the bird and put him on consignment at the store. Since he was not well-socialized while young, he prefers not to be handled and has a pretty powerful bite.
	Thunderbird, an African Grey Parrot came to the aviary with Amigo when family changes required them to be given up but with consideration for what was best for them. Thunderbird was shy when he first arrived but is much more relaxed and likes to swing and climb about his cage. His previous person says he has a diverse vocabulary. He is quite handsome and is quite intrigued by the other birds.
	Ya-Ya, a medium sulphur crested cockatoo and Rainbow, a scarlet macaw, came to Garuda from the same home. Their well intending new parrot owners tried their best to care for these exotic beauties but discovered how difficult and high maintenance parrot care is. Without the proper research, they had picked two of the most problematic parrot breeds. After several years of ownership, these frazzled folks were at their wit’s ends. They pleaded for us to take their birds, even to the point of threatening to release Rainbow and Ya-Ya outside. Being tropical birds raised in domestication, they’d certainly perish. As a member of Garuda Aviary’s flock, Ya-Ya is one third of the medium sulphur crested “Trouble Trio” which includes Cha-Chi and Angel.
	Chloe, a Medium Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, was just 3 when she came to us, but she’d already had many owners. That’s because even though Chloe is gorgeous and funny, she’s also extremely aggressive to women when they’re alone with her— attacking the face, chest and neck and even chasing them and biting their legs! Imagine a creature in full attack mode with a beak powerful enough to crack a walnut,  heading for your face. That’s Chloe!
	Baby, a Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot, came to us from Califonia. Baby lived with a kind and loving woman for many years until one day a racoon entered the cat door and killed Baby’s cage mate. The trauma was too great for all involved and it was decided the safest and best home for Baby would be Garuda Aviary with a flock of other birds. Baby is a key “caller” to all the birds when anyone enters the flock. Baby also entertains the humans with the sounds of “R2D2.”
	Omar, a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,  taken in due to intense pleading on the part of his former caretaker. This kind woman lived next door to Omar, who was owned by a teenage girl. The girl’s father would get drunk and throw Omar against the wall to silence his screeching. Fearful he would kill Omar, the girl begged the neighbor to take him. She kept Omar for a year and finally found us. Though we were full, we agreed to take this traumatized guy.
	Pearl, a Goffin’s Cockatoo, is the honey of the Aviary. She’s also quite the card, jumping to your shoulder, and climbing under your shirt. She seems to prefer people to other birds, and is the bane of our Conures’ existence—chasing them and nipping at their tail feathers is her favorite game. She and Beauty are pals and can charm their way right into anyone’s heart.
	Cha-Chi is a Sulfur-crested Cockatoo. As is often the case,  Cha-Chi’s health and lifespan outlasted his owner’s. Friends of Cha-Chi’s owner kindly took Cha-Chi after the owner passed away. Unfortunately for Cha-Chi these well intending folks owned birds of prey (owls, hawks, etc…). His new owners didn’t know that parrots ARE prey. Living around predator birds would have been terrifying for poor Cha-Chi!  When he first came to Garuda Aviary Cha-Chi suffered from seizures due to unmanageable anxiety.  Not anymore— now he is one third of the medium Sulfur-crested “Trouble Trio” which includes Ya-Ya and Angel!
	Bevis is an Umbrella Cockatoo. Like many pet birds, Bevis outlived his owner.His “dad” had two parrots-Bevis and Hector. When the man died suddenly, his wife was unable to care for Bevis and Hector plus her own two parrots. Because the emotional needs of Umbrella Cockatoos are so great, they can be permanently scarred from losing their loved ones. Though Bevis remains a scared and lonely bird with the aviary flock, he happily soaks up all the love the volunteers give him.
	Dutsi is an Umbrella Cockatoo. He is Garuda Aviary’s most intelligent bird (as well as our class clown). He actually uses language appropriately. True story : One of our Directors was soothing a screaming Moluccan Cockatoo by giving her a shower. Dutsi came over and said, “Whaddyadoin?” The woman answered, “Giving Tara a shower.” Dutsi asked, “Why?” She replied, “Because she’s screaming and too wound up.” Dutsi paused and offered, “I’m being good!”
	Amrita is an Umbrella Cockatoo. There’s no denying it: Amrita looks like a plucked chicken. Our worst feather plucker, her lack of feathers bothers us, but doesn’t worry her or her buddy Dutsi a bit. Amrita, with beautiful light brown eyes, is always in high gear: chewing everything in sight and running all around. She is a very sweet bird, high strung though she may be.
	Sedona, a darling Umbrella Cockatoo, was the product of a broken home. After a divorce, her owners agreed the man would have custody, but his job required extensive travelling. Sedona was boarded frequently, which caused her to become depressed and aggressive. Sedona is loveable in the extreme and feels humans exist simply to hold her and scratch her head.
	Tuyu, an Umbrella Cockatoo, was owned by a retired couple who ultimately could not care for her. Skittish and nervous, Tuyu is unusual for an Umbrella Cockatoo, in that she doesn’t really like cuddling with humans. She loves the outdoor play area at Garuda Aviary where she has plenty of room to roam. She’s what we call a “bird’s bird” and is much happier now that she lives in a flock of her own kind.
	Oliver is a Moluccan Cockatoo and is truly a survivor. He had been kept all alone in a garage for almost 2 years, where he turned to feather plucking to console himself. He was adopted by a family for a year, but while he loved the woman, he chased her husband around, biting at his feet. Because of his past neglect, Oliver was very fearful when he arrived at Garuda Aviary. But with consistent, gentle love he now enjoys being petted and held. Oliver is also quite the comic-he entertains us by digging his head in the bins of pine shavings and tossing them around!
	Ah, Talha (Moluccan Cockatoo). The cuddlebug. The big, pink teddy bear. Everyone’s darling. Talha is a “pre-sanctuary” bird-one of our volunteers bought her as a pet before we were a sanctuary. She fell in love with her immediately (who wouldn’t?) Then when our founder met Talha, she, too, fell in love with her (see?) A girl of many talents, Talha can appear like a fierce protectress in full battle gear-head feathers upright and screaming an ear-piercing battle cry-or snuggle into your arms for as long as you want.
	Tara (Moluccan Cockatoo)is a lovely pink bird and was one of our first rescues.An aviary volunteer discovered Tara living on a farm under very poor conditions. He (yes, Tara is a boy) had a large cage, no toys and only wild bird seed to eat. He was terrified of his owner’s hands, as he was rough and aggressive with him. Tara is still quite shy and very cautious, but will let you pet him if you move slowly and speak softly. He’s in love with Tashi – she’s sure a lucky gal!
	Baby a Blue and Gold Macaw who is new to the Aviary. His is a sad story. He was adopted at age 3 in 1991 and lived happily with his owner for years. Unfortunately, she became afflicted with Alzheimer’s and gradually lost the ability to care for and even recognize him. Eventually Baby had to be removed from the home, but by then it was too late. He had been traumatized by the lack of care and attention and had become agressive. He attempted to kill one of the other birds at his new home, forcing his new owner to come to us for help. Now he is happily living at the Aviary and needs your support. But as you can see, he is a very handsome boy!
	Coco, a Scarlet Macaw, came to us from Prescott Heritage Zoo, along with Jack. She was unhappy in the zoo setting and had become an incessant feather plucker. This neurotic habit has thankfully been resolved, and Coco is now gorgeous. Surprisingly, birds often have distinct preferences for men or women, and can be quite unwilling to change their minds. Coco can’t stand women and will chase them around biting their feet! But she adores men, and she has our male volunteers wrapped around her claws.
	Damara is a Hyacinth Macaw– the largest parrots, and highly endangered in Brazil. They are frequent victims of illegal poaching, and (pound for pound) are worth more than cocaine. Damara, though, seems unaware of such things and is quite definitely a “people bird.” She was a “pre-sanctuary” purchase, but remains in Garuda Aviary for the flock environment. Damara will lie on her back for a belly tickle. She also plays patty-cake and is the clown of the aviary. Once you see her break open a brazil nut, you really appreciate that she has such a sweet disposition!
	Hakan is a Green-wing Macaw. He is generally sweet—he even loves to give kisses—but don’t come between him and his babe Howard (a female, despite the name she had been given). Hakan was bought as a pet bird before the aviary was a rescue sanctuary. Because we understand the importance of allowing these birds to live in a flock whenever possible, Hakan remains a Garuda Aviary resident. Besides, the other birds consider Hakan to be one of the bosses—a key position in a flock!
	Before coming to Garuda Aviary,  Mango, a Blue and Gold macaw,  spent a lot of time at a pet store/ boarding facility. (His owner often traveled for work and didn’t have much time for him.) A young lady visited him frequently and became somewhat attached. When Mango’s owner decided to put him up for adoption,  the young lady took him in. Things were going well until she became pregnant. She and her boyfriend decided it was unwise to raise a baby and own a macaw in the same house, so Mango became a member of the macaw flock at Garuda Aviary.
	Red (Green Winged Macaw) is one of our oldest birds in the aviary approximately 26 years old. Before coming to the aviary, he was kept outdoors most of the time in the NE as part of a breeding flock. A kind woman purchased him and donated him to the sanctuary. Red is a very handsome bird and extremely intelligent. He doesn’t particularly like men. He especially fell in love with one of our female volunteers, Claire.
	Harry, a Blue & Gold Macaw, is the result of a traumatic past. He was “wild caught” (poachers killed his parents in his presence and pinioned his wings, rendering him permanently unable to fly). Harry went to live with another macaw. But their environment only created more stress-they had no toys and an improper diet. Plus, their deep bonding with each other made them impossible to handle. Harry arrived at Garuda Aviary displaying neurotic behaviors-flying into a panic when asked to “step up” onto a stick or an arm, and repeatedly bobbed his head saying, “Quack, quack.” After four years of relentless love, Harry is still quite fearful, but allows us to handle him and take him outside to play.
	Howard is a Blue and Gold Macaw, named before she was sexed.She was rescued from disgraceful conditions. Despite her difficult beginnings, Howard is now very well socialized. She likes people’s attention and integrates well in the flock. But when she’s together with Hakan (her partner in love and mischief), they can be downright bullies!
	Jack (Scarlet Macaw) came to us from Prescott Heritage Zoo along with Coco. Jack was also unhappy in the zoo setting, and became an incessant feather plucker. Unlike Coco, he persists in this neurotic behavior. Jack has a rather wild temperament and allows only certain volunteers to handle him. Though he and Coco arrived together and are even the same species, they merely tolerate each other and would certainly never consider sharing a cage, much less a grooming session!
	Ana is a Blue and Gold Macaw whose tragic story is not uncommon. Like many parrots, she was bought merely to be a decoration. With no regard for her physical, emotional or mental needs she was kept in a cage that was too small for her to spread her wings for 26 years. As a result of this inhumane treatment she developed a severe plucking habit and was in ghastly condition when she arrived at Garuda Aviary.
	Rainbow, a Scarlet Macaw, and Ya-Ya, a medium sulphur crest cockatoo, came to Garuda from the same home. Their well intending new parrot owners tried their best to care for these exotic beauties but discovered how difficult and high maintenance parrot care is. Without the proper research, they had picked two of the most problematic parrot breeds. After several years of ownership, these frazzled folks were at their wit’s ends. Having found Garuda Aviary, they pleaded for us to take their birds, even to the point of threatening to release Rainbow and Ya-Ya outside. Being tropical birds raised in domestication, they would certainly perish. As members of Garuda Aviary’s flock, Rainbow hangs out with Coco, also a scarlet macaw.
	Jade is a Blue-throated Macaw, a species nearly extinct in the wild (only 50 – 100 are left). Jade is a sweet girl with a quiet temperament. While she is generally affectionate with women, Jade (like most macaws) is a bit moody! Bird-wise, Jade is a respectful member of the flock who helps balance the power against the more aggressive birds. To our delight, Jade and Harry have a budding romance. Her nurturing presence seems to be helping Harry relax and interact more with the flock.
	Merlin is a Blue and Gold Macaw. Before we were a sanctuary, we just had birds as pets. As we acquired those birds, we learned about the plight of abused, neglected and unwanted birds, and we formed Garuda Aviary as a response. Merlin was one of the “pre-sanctuary birds”, purchased from a pet store by the founder. She clearly saw his magnificence! Merlin is so smart and gorgeous, he takes your breath away. All Blue & Golds have a faint perfume to their feathers, but Merlin always smells like orange blossoms after a rain. No wonder his mate Phoebe fell head over claws for him.