Cockatoo Breeder Challenge

Summer 2017

& The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary P.O. Box 34 Hope Valley, RI 02832 The Official NEEWSLetter of Foster Parrots & T he New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary Cockatoo Breeder Challenge: Be Forever Responsible for What You Produce By Karen Windsor attempts to deal with an overwhelming “Peaches is not happy in our home anymore. We unwanted cockatoo problem is akin are not happy and cannot deal with her constant to sticking our finger in the dike as we demands for attention. We are in our 60’s and scramble to locate options for an ever- the last 3 years have put a strain on our home. increasing population of unplaceable We have tried everything…The vet even gave us cockatoos. something to calm her down, but that didn’t work either… I hope you can help us or maybe point us Due to the size of large species cockatoos, Keva - a resident Mollucan cockatoo in the right direction. She needs to be happy. We their neediness, their energy level and countless people who have tried and failed need to be happy...” their capacity for normal self-expression to care for a cockatoo. It is simply an in decibels not well tolerated by human illustration of the fact that it is virtually “I love my bare eyed cockatoo. I cannot provide ears, finding long-term homes for even the impossible to adequately meet the needs of a good enough life for her and it is killing me. I most well-adjusted cockatoos is a daunting these animals in captivity. feel terrible that she is by herself for days on prospect. For animals who require strong end. I hate having [her] in a cage, unhappy. She and consistent social connections in order “I took Hannah from a humane society when deserves a good life with people who can provide to thrive, it is difficult these days to find she was 7 or 8 years old. They were going to it for her. I am 23 years old and I work 60-70 hours homes in which the humans are present for euthanize her and I didn’t want that so I took her. a week. I am not home enough to properly care I’ve had her about 15 years… Everyone is afraid of all or most of each day. Many re-homing for this beautiful bird.” her, I am the only one that handles her and now requests we receive express the profound she is biting me too. I am 61 years old and I can’t YES! I am excited to attend the Fall Fundraiser Extravaganza guilt of human guardians over how little imagine trying to care for her another 20 years.” he Surrender Requests appear in time they have for their cockatoos, and The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary! my in-box, and when I open them at request that we find homes for their birds “Do I want to give them up? No. I love them. But up and begin to read, my heart with people capable of giving them the Tsinks over and over again. More cockatoos. I am now afraid to handle Lefty since the last time and love they deserve. Where are bite. He got my thumb and went to the bone. Like sanctuaries and rescue organizations NUMBER OF TICKETS ______at $65 ea. = TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______those homes? The fact is, there are few My husband was ready to get rid of them then everywhere, we have hit our ceiling in homes available in which cockatoos can and there for my safety. I’ve done what I can to Name: ______regards to our ability to accept cockatoos receive the level of social support they rehabilitate them, they don’t pluck [any more]and at the NEEWS, and their prospects for Address: ______require in order to thrive and to avoid I know they love me in their own way. I’m 63 and I finding adoptive homes capable of meeting developing behavioral problems that want something better for them than a scared old ______their intense needs over the long-term (50 systematically decrease possibilities for lady and an upset old guy for companionship.” - 70 years) are virtually non-existent. Our their success as “pets”. City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Repeatedly losing the humans they are A cockatoo’s attempts to assert its needs - bonded to, lacking predictability and _____ YES! I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE EVENT! SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT: $ ______or simply exercise natural behavior - are stability in their lives, imprisonment, typically met by attempts of guardians social isolation and loneliness… all of these Company Name ______to control or eliminate behaviors that situations are precursors to accelerating may be completely natural for the bird, behavioral issues that render these Event sponsors will be contacted to obtain company or dedication information, logos and art for the program listing, event posters, but are intolerable to human guardians animals ever more unstable in the home banners and aviary plaques. Please provide your day-time contact information here: in the home environment. Few people environment. But behavioral problems have the time, resources or patience to Phone Number ______in cockatoos don’t always arise from address problem behaviors constructively situations of abuse or neglect. Changes in E-Mail Address ______or creatively, and the resulting frustration behavior that become problematic in pet begins to mount in birds and humans cockatoos are very often simply rooted in _____ Sorry! I am unable to attend but please accept my donation of $ ______alike. This is not a criticism of the (cont’d on p. 2) Please mail checks to: Foster Parrots, Ltd. Tickets can also be purchased on-line by visiting: Save the Date! 10th Annual FP Fundraiser Extravaganza, Saturday, Sept. 16th! PO Box 650 or www.fosterparrots.com See page 7 for details Rockland, MA 02370 8 Cockatoo Breeder Challenge (cont’d from the cover)

manifestation of psychological stress and/ or trauma. It is very often not reversible FOSTER PARROTS, LTD. once it begins. “Hedwig’s feather picking problem suddenly NEW ENGLAND EXOTIC WILDLIFE SANCTUARY erupted when she was about two. Out of the blue, with no previous history, I found her one morning with her breast feathers plucked and a strip of skin peeled off, maybe 1 1/4” x 3/8”, dripping 2017 FALL blood onto the bottom of the cage.”

“The home Bebe was in when I met him had a Bebe’s chest showing severe self-mutilation FUNDRAISER bunch of kids. One would apparently pull his tail Apparently, the breeding community feathers out for fun. The wall behind his cage was didn’t get the memo. splattered with blood - his blood - because of the EXTRAVAGANZA! severe self-mutilation, which resulted in an open Through the years we’ve listened to a biology. It can be difficult to remember wound on his chest the size of a baseball. You litany of breeder claims about “loving their could smell the blood. He had no strength in his that this bird who cuddles and says, “I love birds”, but from our standpoint it appears Saturday, September 16, 2017 feet and would fall off his perches at night.” you” is a wild animal, but that is the reality this love has a shelf-life that expires once that impacts every aspect of psittacine the bill of sale is issued. Vast numbers of TICKETS IN ADVANCE ONLY! $65 behavior. Very often, despite our best Casey, a 25-year old Goffins cockatoo, baby cockatoos sold to consumers begin to efforts to meet the needs of pet cockatoos, exhibited psychological stress not through fail in their homes once they progress past it’s evolutionary destiny that destroys self-mutilation, but through extreme babyhood and past the excitement their Don’t miss this spectacular annual event in support of the birds avian-human relationships. Territoriality phobic behavior that began, inexplicably, guardians once felt over the endearing and animals at The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, and and aggression are natural behaviors that after the age of five. “For the first five years, prospect of owning an animal as cuddly, aid survival for cockatoos in the wild; he was a joy,” explained Casey’s guardian, affectionate and needy as a cockatoo. all the programs of Foster Parrots, Ltd! Karen. “He did tricks to the point of my Ultimately, what breeders are really selling removed from the natural context of what 2 their lives were supposed to be does not being able to hold him on his back in my is suffering and heartbreak. Over the FEATURING: Open House Sanctuary Tours Champagne Welcome eliminate their need to follow the same hand. He’s so intelligent and picked up years, hundreds of cockatoos have passed 2 Sponsored Open Beer & Wine Bar 2 Extensive Raffle & Silent everything I wanted to teach him.” biological drives of their wild cousins. through our doors; hundreds more have Auction 2 Delectable Vegetarian Buffet Dinner 2 Guest Non- Choosing a mate (usually a favorite human been turned away and/or referred for What could have caused such a in the home), establishing nesting territory services elsewhere. Where have all these Profits & Vendor Displays2 The Fabulous Live Music of transformation in Casey? He had had a and using aggression to assert those cockatoos ended up? There’s just no way stable, loving home with Karen since he The Adam Ezra Group! choices are the “behavioral problems” that to know in most cases. But we have to was 3 months old. The change in him after most often render cockatoos unkeepable. wonder why the responsibility for the the age of 5 was extreme and beyond the As we scramble to consult veterinarians failure of these birds as pets should fall on abilities of his human family, despite their Don’t wait! Seating is limited so order your tickets today! or animal behaviorists to help mitigate the shoulders of the rescue community attempts to help him through the years. the issues, what we’re really trying to do alone. And for this reason Foster Parrots “The screaming is causing much stress in Tickets are $65 Or mail your check to: is to render our cockatoos more “dog or is launching “The Cockatoo Breeder the household. He will not let any of us cat like”. A cockatoo’s inability to actually Challenge”. Order on line by visiting: Foster Parrots, Ltd. pick him up, although he wants attention… be a cockatoo creates the biological Casey is fearful of so many things. He PO Box 650 Rockland, MA • 02370 and psychological conflicts that have a You say you love your birds? Then love www.fosterparrots.com doesn’t trust anyone, especially me. He profound negative impact on the birds and, them forever. Be forever responsible for will fling himself off a perch if startled or subsequently, on their people. what you produce. We challenge cockatoo Please consider supporting Foster Parrots Fall Fundraiser by becoming an event sponsor! approached too quickly. I can only hope breeders to issue a ‘Guaranteed Return that in a different situation, he could lose Arguably Certificate’ to buyers stating that, at any GREEN FEATHER LEVEL SPONSOR: $500 BLUE FEATHER LEVEL SPONSOR: $1000 his fear and be happy again.” time during the life of the cockatoo, if the the most 2 Company or individual listing as a Green Feather Level 2 Company or individual listing as a Blue Feather Level psychologically relationship fails or the guardian is unable When we honestly assess what’s happening sponsor in our event program! Sponsor with a ½ page ad or dedication in our event program! vulnerable of all to continue care for any reason, the breeder 2 2 Your company logo displayed on event posters throughout to cockatoos, what we’re witnessing is Your company logo displayed on event posters! parrots kept at will accept the return of that cockatoo. 2 the sanctuary! an unmistakable, collective distress Receive 2 complimentary event tickets! pets, cockatoos This is not a money-back proposition. It 2 Receive 4 complimentary event tickets and 5 raffle tickets! call. It couldn’t possibly be more clear are also the is simply a guarantee that the birds you that cockatoos are suffering in captivity. most likely of breed, will have somewhere to go. RED FEATHER LEVEL SPONSOR: $2000 GOLD FEATHER LEVEL SPONSOR: $5000 Several years ago the Association of Avian 2 all captive birds 2 Company or individual listing as a Red Feather Level Sponsor Company or individual listing as a Gold Feather Level Sponsor Veterinarians issued a statement expressing to self-mutilate. You say you love your birds? You are with a FULL page ad or dedication in our event program! with a FULL PAGE ad or dedication in our event program the belief that, due to the inability of While feather responsible for sending generations of 2 Your company logo and advertisement displayed on BANNERS 2 Your company logo and advertisement displayed on the average pet owner to provide for plucking is common in many species of cockatoos out into a world they cannot at the event BANNERS at the event the complex needs of large cockatoo 2 NAMING RIGHTS on the Aviary of your choice (Title Plaque)! parrots kept as pets, crossing that line possibly fit into. This is what is happening 2 Your name ENGRAVED ON A PLAQUE as an official 2015 Aviary species like Moluccans and Umbrellas, 2 Reserve a 10-top table and receive 10 raffle tickets! into self-mutilation is the most extreme to the cockatoos you say you love. It’s time Sponsor (aviary of your choice) these parrots should not be kept as pets. for you to clean up your own mess. 2 2 Receive 4 complimentary event tickets and 5 raffle tickets! 2 7 NEEWS Staff Announcements! Meet Our Newest Resident Birds… Beverly Lewis - Cockatoo Manager Izzy - Blue & Gold Macaw anctuary isn’t right for all parrots, but spending a year at NEAR, it had become e would like to take the time to continuum of care, Beverly has been responsible Sfor some parrots it’s the only chance clear that there were no adopters willing Wcongratulate Foster Parrots volunteer, for training all of the brave volunteers at they may have for a quality of life. Izzy, a to take on a bird as intense as Izzy. We Beverly Lewis, on her official new title as the sanctuary who have expressed interest four-year-old blue & gold macaw, is once made arrangements for him to come to Cockatoo Manager at the sanctuary. For so in working with the cockatoos. In-so-doing such bird. Even at his very tender age, he the NEEWS. Izzy was integrated into the many years Beverly has taken the lead on the she has “spread the love”, creating a team of had been through four homes prior to open concept macaw community and management of these incredible birds who are outstanding cockatoo care givers who provide being surrendered to Bob and Jill Lewis immediately began to try to make friends. the most difficult and complex of all parrot the support these special birds need, and have at the Northeast Avian Rescue (NEAR) in Within just a couple weeks he won the species kept as “pets”. Her deep personal created a little “cockatoo sub-culture” within New York. Bob affectionately described heart of Lightning, a single blue & gold connection to the lives of each individual the larger sanctuary environment. Special this high energy, high spirited macaw macaw who’s been a sanctuary resident bird, her understanding of their behavior, thanks to Beverly, Alyssa Christian, Michaela their psychological profiles and the challenges Kennedy, Jennifer Gagnon, Amy Abajian, as a “hyperactive Houdini”, quick and since 2009. they face every day in the sanctuary setting Donna McAdams, Thalia Field, Rita Rooney, amazingly smart, and nearly impossible to has resulted in a level of care and quality of Lara Gordon and Monica Armstrong for their contain. “He is an escape artist,” explained life for these birds that would not have been devotion to the lives of these beautiful birds. Bob, “and when he gets out of his cage possible without her. In order to ensure a he starts opening other cages…” After

Pat Schofield - Facility & Enrichment Manager PJ - Double Yellow Headed Amazon hen Pat joined the Foster Parrots through the walls of the facility, very now and then we meet a precious benign but inoperable tumor in the sinus Wteam, we could not have anticipated opening up new windows that old bird who seems to possess the cavity. PJ will require periodic nasal flushes the extent to which his skills and creativity increase light and air circulation Ewisdom of the ages. PJ, an elderly double for the rest of his life, and regimens of would transform the aviary environments dramatically. Pat has been yellow headed Amazon came to Foster steroidal medication when symptoms flare. and the sanctuary itself. Pat has an eye for officially promoted to the position Parrots to enter into our adoption That’s quite a lot for an old Amazon to detail and an innovative spirit that he’s of Facility & Enrichment Manager. program, but it quickly became evident endure, but PJ is the gentlest of Amazons. able to apply intuitively to the needs of the Although this is now his primary that this old soul had significant health Though he may complain when it’s birds, creating unique, fun and stimulating focus at the sanctuary, Pat will issues that would preclude him from medication time, he never bites. He now aviary features. His problem-solving skills continue to work with the birds, adoption. A chronic sinusitis has defied lives permanently in the Ed Hall where and dedication to the task-at-hand are also who all seem to love him, and will remedy by a number of veterinarians over he can be heard trilling, talking happily invaluable as he tackles endless facility continue to help grow the Feral the years. A series of exams by NEEWS throughout each day, and offering his head maintenance and improvement projects Arts program as one of our Artists veterinarian, Hank Wietsma, indicates a for scratches when he feels like a little love! that can range from plugging a hole to in Residence. creating a really BIG hole as he powers Saying “So-Long” to Rick Van Tuyl Adoption Corner s impossible as it seems, we will soon maintenance are only outshone by his Abe saying farewell to our long-time gentle nature and the special calm, patience Cleo employee, Rick Van Tuyl! With 17 years and care with which he handles the birds leo is 28-year-old female blue fronted the sanctuary. She is more than willing to of parrot care experience under his belt at the NEEWS. Over the past 5 years Rick Amazon whose been waiting at be handled by a man, and will also step up and having worked at several of the most has gone to school to earn his degree in Cthe sanctuary since September 2016 for on a stick. Cleo prefers not to be caged and major parrot rescue organizations in the psychology and will be leaving to apply someone to take her home! She has an is a wonderful “hang-around” bird. She country, Rick joined the Foster Parrots his skills at a mental health facility where unwavering preference for men and will is not destructive and is content to sit and family 5 years ago and has had such an his passion for helping people can be fully be charming, flirtatious and possessive observe the activities happening around incredible impact on the sanctuary, on the realized. Of course, this isn’t really a good- of her chosen male human. Cleo likes to her when she is not on her chosen person. birds, and on all the staff and volunteers at bye! Rick will always be a part of the Foster be the one in charge and can bite, so she She has always lived around other birds, the sanctuary. His skills in construction, Parrots Family. It’s comforting to know can use a little bit of behavior training, but prefers people. Her perfect adopter big machine operation, and repair and he’ll never be too far away. but she is food motivated and eager to would be a man with time and love to give, have a positive relationship with a man. and a level of experience that can be helpful Consequently, she is a great candidate for in managing Cleo’s somewhat willful Adoption Corner (cont’d from page 3) positive reinforcement training, and has nature. Boy responded well to training by our team at e just love this bird! Boy is a 15-year- can easily be handled by his chosen person Comet old male double yellow headed and will bond strongly. He likes to just WAmazon. He prefers women, though his hang around, and would prefer only to be omet is an absolutely delightful, 12 year voice and will use it to solicit attention, but previous guardian and primary care-giver caged when it’s bedtime. Boy has charmed Cold sun conure. Gender is unknown, ample out-of-cage time and being welcome was a man. Boy is a little on the shy side us all with his gentle disposition and his though we suspect she may be a female. She as an active part of the family is all this and needs some time to build trust, but delightful vocalizations and would love is an “equal opportunity” lover and has no little one wants! When she’s feeling lonely he is interactive, interested in connecting to be a cherished part of a loving human gender preference, easily going to either or a little insecure, Comet does a little and would love someone to take the time family. men or women. She loves to be with people, plucking on her tummy, but the support to get to know him. He is sweet-natured, craves attention and can easily be handled. and stability of a loving family will help Like all sun conures, Comet has a loud eradicate this small issue. Interested in adopting a parrot? (cont’d on on p.6) Visit www.FosterParrots.com for more details... 6 3 I arrived I Have Found A Lost A New Home For A “Homer” home with Pudge, and Pigeon! Now What? Domestic Pigeons: The Hidden Avian Welfare Issue since it was ll fancy pigeon breeds are By Michele Nash approaching descendent from the wild dusk, I thought rock pigeon - but these to deal with the interloper when they I would allow Adomesticated birds are not wild get back home. While methods like just a brief and do not have the ability to these create “money-makers” for introduction survive without human support. hobbiests, it’s yet another example of through the With some 15,000 breeders across human use of animals for utilitarian bars of her the country and a hobby that has purposes without consideration for carrier and been around for centuries, by the impact on the animal. Pigeons take her inside some estimates, less than 5 percent bond for life and sometimes do form with me for of birds do not return home, lifelong bonds even with same-sex the night. but this still represents a loss of partners, suggesting that bonding is This was not to be. From first sight, thousands of birds in any given rooted in emotional attachment, not convey her size at all. She was enormous, at least twice the size of Kahuna stopped doing his perpetual year. Here’s how you can help: just reproduction. And of course, we figure 8’s and constant cooing and cannot ignore the risks to the lives Kahuna. And she was beautiful! Pure Take that pigeon in off the white and sleek as a sea otter with a stared, and stared, with what looked and safety of the birds. Predation is street! cranium shaped like a beluga whale, like awe. I let Pudge out of her carrier Lost homing pigeons a constant threat, and factors like and she lifted off, albeit like a Flying may be hungry and dehydrated. Kahuna, a homing pigeon she sat there placidly and royally, as if weather systems, accidents, hunger, Fortress heavy bomber, whereby she Commercial seed mixes for dehydration and exhaustion result in waiting for her prince to arrive. ometimes animals enter our welcome the return of pigeons who alighted immediately on a roost in parakeets and/or chicken crumbles the untold numbers of injured and lost lives quite unplanned, and most fail to fly home. Not willing to invest Pudge is a King Pigeon, I soon the outdoor aviary- Kahuna following can be offered in a pinch. Pigeons pigeons that fill humane shelters from often after they have already resources or support the genetics of learned, and according to veteran fast like a nimble and quick F-18 in are “suction drinkers”, so offer coast to coast every year. Sendured their own inauspicious and pigeons regarded as “damaged goods”, pigeon rescuer Elizabeth Young from comparison. A few chortles later by water in a cup or small bowl. Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Rescue in Kahuna, and they were enjoying seed circuitous path before coming under some pigeon breeders will euthanize Pigeons are not widely regarded as • Palomacy Pigeon & Dove our care. If someone had told me I’d these undesirable birds. “companion animals”, but the fact is San Francisco, CA., these impressive on the ground together. Within just Rescue offers a wealth of be spending three solid days and two that these birds can make wonderful birds are the “masters of the leisure a couple days they were inseparable, Homing pigeons bond strongly pigeon care information and hundred dollars renovating a shed to pets. They are intelligent, affectionate arts”, a large docile breed known to happily lazing about, engaging and mate for life. So strong is their also references to pigeon rescue build a large aviary for a pigeon I’d and interactive. Their soft coos are produce the young squab seen on in friendly beak wrestling and reproductive drive and their desire to organizations across the country. have said they were crazy. But when infinitely more pleasant to listen to many restaurant menus. Like Kahuna, canoodling in the basket that Kahuna get back to their mates that they are, Palomacy can be found at Kahuna arrived at the New England then the calls of the average parrot! Pudge had no ability to survive in the had claimed as their nest. The rescue in fact, seen as a symbol of fidelity, www.pigeonrescue.org Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, he, as they Most of all, the need for homes for wild. Had she not been found and of one lucky pigeon had resulted in the love and home. This propensity say, had me at “Coo”. Apparently still these birds is enormous. Pigeons bred brought to the MSPCA she would have rescue of two, and also the beginning for bonding has been exploited to • Adopt a pigeon! These quite young, he had been found on a for racing or for dramatic releases perished. of my advocacy for these remarkably the point of creating a sport that is 2 beautiful birds are intelligent, street in Providence. Under the care at events like weddings do not have intelligent and social birds. global in scope and can be extremely social, interactive and affectionate of the NEEWS he was vetted and the ability to survive in the wild lucrative for breeders of some of the - and much easier on the ears than de-loused. Within just a few weeks without assistance from people to world’s most acclaimed racing birds. parrots! he had increased impressively in provide food, shelter and protection One very successful method for size and was utterly handsome! But from predators. They are not “wild • Create a sanctuary! Your training homing pigeons for lives as without other pigeons of his variety animals”. local SPCA or humane shelter racers is referred to as “widowhood”. at the sanctuary he was without will be grateful for the help. Once a homing pigeon has been mated community. After months of making Kahuna happily came home with me Converting an existing shed or and produced offspring, these birds excuses why I should not take in the and together (with maybe a teeny bit of other structure to a pigeon coop are allowed access to their mates and lone bird with no friends and a feisty help from my husband) we converted with indoor/outdoor access can their babies only upon returning from attitude, I brought him home from the our shed into a very impressive pigeon be done inexpensively. Due to their race. This creates the sense of sanctuary. coop. Kahuna was instantly at home, their highly social nature, several urgency needed to cultivate a winner. but he was still lonely. This led me to pigeons can share a single aviary. Kahuna is a homing pigeon, or a Some racing pigeons are simply shown the MSPCA in Boston where “Pudge” Pigeon coops should be predator ‘Homer’ in pigeon racing parlance. their mates in the presence of another had been waiting almost 3 months for safe, offer sheltered roosting, His band could be traced to a pigeon bird within their nest box before being adoption. Upon first seeing her in her and outdoor space for foraging, club in Massachusetts, but we have taken away to race and the lasting cage at the shelter I was dumbstruck. strutting and some level of flight. found that breeders generally do not image of that drives them to fly faster The picture online did not properly

4 5 I arrived I Have Found A Lost A New Home For A “Homer” home with Pudge, and Pigeon! Now What? Domestic Pigeons: The Hidden Avian Welfare Issue since it was ll fancy pigeon breeds are By Michele Nash approaching descendent from the wild dusk, I thought rock pigeon - but these to deal with the interloper when they I would allow Adomesticated birds are not wild get back home. While methods like just a brief and do not have the ability to these create “money-makers” for introduction survive without human support. hobbiests, it’s yet another example of through the With some 15,000 breeders across human use of animals for utilitarian bars of her the country and a hobby that has purposes without consideration for carrier and been around for centuries, by the impact on the animal. Pigeons take her inside some estimates, less than 5 percent bond for life and sometimes do form with me for of birds do not return home, lifelong bonds even with same-sex the night. but this still represents a loss of partners, suggesting that bonding is This was not to be. From first sight, thousands of birds in any given rooted in emotional attachment, not convey her size at all. She was enormous, at least twice the size of Kahuna stopped doing his perpetual year. Here’s how you can help: just reproduction. And of course, we figure 8’s and constant cooing and cannot ignore the risks to the lives Kahuna. And she was beautiful! Pure Take that pigeon in off the white and sleek as a sea otter with a stared, and stared, with what looked and safety of the birds. Predation is street! cranium shaped like a beluga whale, like awe. I let Pudge out of her carrier Lost homing pigeons a constant threat, and factors like and she lifted off, albeit like a Flying may be hungry and dehydrated. Kahuna, a homing pigeon she sat there placidly and royally, as if weather systems, accidents, hunger, Fortress heavy bomber, whereby she Commercial seed mixes for dehydration and exhaustion result in waiting for her prince to arrive. ometimes animals enter our welcome the return of pigeons who alighted immediately on a roost in parakeets and/or chicken crumbles the untold numbers of injured and lost lives quite unplanned, and most fail to fly home. Not willing to invest Pudge is a King Pigeon, I soon the outdoor aviary- Kahuna following can be offered in a pinch. Pigeons pigeons that fill humane shelters from often after they have already resources or support the genetics of learned, and according to veteran fast like a nimble and quick F-18 in are “suction drinkers”, so offer coast to coast every year. Sendured their own inauspicious and pigeons regarded as “damaged goods”, pigeon rescuer Elizabeth Young from comparison. A few chortles later by water in a cup or small bowl. Palomacy Pigeon & Dove Rescue in Kahuna, and they were enjoying seed circuitous path before coming under some pigeon breeders will euthanize Pigeons are not widely regarded as • Palomacy Pigeon & Dove our care. If someone had told me I’d these undesirable birds. “companion animals”, but the fact is San Francisco, CA., these impressive on the ground together. Within just Rescue offers a wealth of be spending three solid days and two that these birds can make wonderful birds are the “masters of the leisure a couple days they were inseparable, Homing pigeons bond strongly pigeon care information and hundred dollars renovating a shed to pets. They are intelligent, affectionate arts”, a large docile breed known to happily lazing about, engaging and mate for life. So strong is their also references to pigeon rescue build a large aviary for a pigeon I’d and interactive. Their soft coos are produce the young squab seen on in friendly beak wrestling and reproductive drive and their desire to organizations across the country. have said they were crazy. But when infinitely more pleasant to listen to many restaurant menus. Like Kahuna, canoodling in the basket that Kahuna get back to their mates that they are, Palomacy can be found at Kahuna arrived at the New England then the calls of the average parrot! Pudge had no ability to survive in the had claimed as their nest. The rescue in fact, seen as a symbol of fidelity, www.pigeonrescue.org Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary, he, as they Most of all, the need for homes for wild. Had she not been found and of one lucky pigeon had resulted in the love and home. This propensity say, had me at “Coo”. Apparently still these birds is enormous. Pigeons bred brought to the MSPCA she would have rescue of two, and also the beginning for bonding has been exploited to • Adopt a pigeon! These quite young, he had been found on a for racing or for dramatic releases perished. of my advocacy for these remarkably the point of creating a sport that is 2 beautiful birds are intelligent, street in Providence. Under the care at events like weddings do not have intelligent and social birds. global in scope and can be extremely social, interactive and affectionate of the NEEWS he was vetted and the ability to survive in the wild lucrative for breeders of some of the - and much easier on the ears than de-loused. Within just a few weeks without assistance from people to world’s most acclaimed racing birds. parrots! he had increased impressively in provide food, shelter and protection One very successful method for size and was utterly handsome! But from predators. They are not “wild • Create a sanctuary! Your training homing pigeons for lives as without other pigeons of his variety animals”. local SPCA or humane shelter racers is referred to as “widowhood”. at the sanctuary he was without will be grateful for the help. Once a homing pigeon has been mated community. After months of making Kahuna happily came home with me Converting an existing shed or and produced offspring, these birds excuses why I should not take in the and together (with maybe a teeny bit of other structure to a pigeon coop are allowed access to their mates and lone bird with no friends and a feisty help from my husband) we converted with indoor/outdoor access can their babies only upon returning from attitude, I brought him home from the our shed into a very impressive pigeon be done inexpensively. Due to their race. This creates the sense of sanctuary. coop. Kahuna was instantly at home, their highly social nature, several urgency needed to cultivate a winner. but he was still lonely. This led me to pigeons can share a single aviary. Kahuna is a homing pigeon, or a Some racing pigeons are simply shown the MSPCA in Boston where “Pudge” Pigeon coops should be predator ‘Homer’ in pigeon racing parlance. their mates in the presence of another had been waiting almost 3 months for safe, offer sheltered roosting, His band could be traced to a pigeon bird within their nest box before being adoption. Upon first seeing her in her and outdoor space for foraging, club in Massachusetts, but we have taken away to race and the lasting cage at the shelter I was dumbstruck. strutting and some level of flight. found that breeders generally do not image of that drives them to fly faster The picture online did not properly

4 5 NEEWS Staff Announcements! Meet Our Newest Resident Birds… Beverly Lewis - Cockatoo Manager Izzy - Blue & Gold Macaw anctuary isn’t right for all parrots, but spending a year at NEAR, it had become e would like to take the time to continuum of care, Beverly has been responsible Sfor some parrots it’s the only chance clear that there were no adopters willing Wcongratulate Foster Parrots volunteer, for training all of the brave volunteers at they may have for a quality of life. Izzy, a to take on a bird as intense as Izzy. We Beverly Lewis, on her official new title as the sanctuary who have expressed interest four-year-old blue & gold macaw, is once made arrangements for him to come to Cockatoo Manager at the sanctuary. For so in working with the cockatoos. In-so-doing such bird. Even at his very tender age, he the NEEWS. Izzy was integrated into the many years Beverly has taken the lead on the she has “spread the love”, creating a team of had been through four homes prior to open concept macaw community and management of these incredible birds who are outstanding cockatoo care givers who provide being surrendered to Bob and Jill Lewis immediately began to try to make friends. the most difficult and complex of all parrot the support these special birds need, and have at the Northeast Avian Rescue (NEAR) in Within just a couple weeks he won the species kept as “pets”. Her deep personal created a little “cockatoo sub-culture” within New York. Bob affectionately described heart of Lightning, a single blue & gold connection to the lives of each individual the larger sanctuary environment. Special this high energy, high spirited macaw macaw who’s been a sanctuary resident bird, her understanding of their behavior, thanks to Beverly, Alyssa Christian, Michaela their psychological profiles and the challenges Kennedy, Jennifer Gagnon, Amy Abajian, as a “hyperactive Houdini”, quick and since 2009. they face every day in the sanctuary setting Donna McAdams, Thalia Field, Rita Rooney, amazingly smart, and nearly impossible to has resulted in a level of care and quality of Lara Gordon and Monica Armstrong for their contain. “He is an escape artist,” explained life for these birds that would not have been devotion to the lives of these beautiful birds. Bob, “and when he gets out of his cage possible without her. In order to ensure a he starts opening other cages…” After