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MEET THELMA, LUIS, BEEKER, RAMA AND REDD
Each month we’ve struggled to present just one life story of one or two birds of our fantastic flock. With the spring breezes we’ve opened up the doors of hope for many more birds -- sharing the stories with you of our adoptable birds, rescues and those in special need of sanctuary care. With your help, every one of these birds will be able to receive the gift of love and support to help them flourish.
Thelma, Mitred conure and Luis, Blue crowned conure
Aratinga mitrata, Aratinga acuticaudata
The call to transfer some “parrots” to TGF came in from a Denver shelter – would we take them? Their ‘owner’ had been evicted from their apartment and the birds were in need of help. No information whatsoever about the birds was passed on to the shelter or to us except that a 3rd small parrot had escaped from a residence. As soon as our veterinarian, Dr. Noel Opitz and staffer Karen VanderHyde, saw them in the shelter location, it was determined that intervention on behalf of these two was critical. Both birds appeared to be extremely bonded to each other, and both appeared to be elderly based on their open quarantine bands. Upon physical exam, the Mitred conure was severely dehydrated with substantial neurological symptoms, including a head tilt and appears to be almost totally blind. Unable to reach or see her food, her Blue crowned conure cage mate helped her to locate her food, water and perches. Both birds are comfortable with being handled. Interestingly, the physical condition of both birds is OK and neither is underweight. Though they’re both feather-picked, their exams revealed that feet, toes and beaks are in decent condition and that they have some excess body fat.. Neither conure appears to be suffering from severe Vitamin A deficiency. Due to their abandonment, we named them Thelma and Louise, only to learn that Luis is the gender-correct name! It’s apparent that someone at some time loved and cared for these birds. Now they need a committed adopter to provide for them the rest of their days.
Beeker, Hahn’s macaw
Ara nobilis
Closed banded DEH 1991-2
Shortly after the call to help Thelma and Luis, we were inundated with requests for information about a small green parrot housed at another Denver shelter located near the original home of Thelma and Luis. This small macaw had been found outside but had never reported as lost or missing. Beeker was found not far from the shelter where it was taken when ‘found’, only to remain unclaimed by any person. After the shelter’s mandatory holding period, we received a call to accept this bird for transfer. After Dr. Opitz and Karen VH checked in on Thelma and Luis, they evaluated Beeker. Physical exam indicates that though the bird’s tummy is bare, all feather follicles look healthy; we suspect feathers will grow back. As soon as Beeker met our staff, we heard, “Hi Beek”, “Beeker” – most likely his given name. TGF’s founder transported Beeker to the aviary to be quarantined with Thelma and Luis. On the ride to the Aviary and Adoption Center, Beeker talked to her, saying, “Hi Sweetie”, “Hi Sweetheart”. He/she barks like a small dog, and gives big smack-kisses. Once safely in new quarters, Beeker kept saying, “Night-night” and made comfy, purr-like sounds. This is one very charming and animated little parrot. Beeker appears curious about both conures, but we don’t know if these 3 comprised the flock at the home from which Thelma and Luis were relocated.
The Devotion of Thelma and Luis
Luis, a Blue-crowned conure, is slightly younger than his life mate, Thelma, a Mitred conure who is estimated to be about age 40 and they are inseparable. The devotion of Luis is truly remarkable. Thelma has a neurological problem and poor eye-sight most likely due to a history of malnutrition. She was very dehydrated when she was first brought to TGF, so this is the possible part of the cause of her current condition. Luis is often heard calling to Thelma to let her know where the food dish is or to simply have her be nearer to him. Not to say Thelma is helpless. A very feisty and curious bird, Thelma still gets around her cage very well, using her beak as a cane. Constantly interested in her surroundings she is very alert for new things, though her primary focus is Luis. The pair prefers to have time to get to know the people around them before really becoming comfortable. Not much is known about their early history other than they were wild caught before the ban in 1992 went into effect.
Blue crowned conures were sensationalized in the movie, Paulie. They are known around the world as Aratinga acuticaudata and are found in Brazilian lowlands, eastern Bolivia, throughout Uruguay, and Argentina. In the wild, Luis would not be as likely to run into Thelma, the Mitred conure, scientifically known as Aratinga mitrata. Considered to be the second largest of all conures, this bird is found in north- central Peru, south through Bolivia and to north-west Argentina
Beeker - Thelma and Luis’ neighbor
Beeker is a small Hahn’s macaw with a large personality. Though this bird may have had a beak injury while quite young, he/she certainly enjoys humans. Not only is Beeker extremely good at communicating in feathered language but is also bi-lingual, saying a few words in English. Beeker has done some damage to her/himself, having plucked chest feathers. Beeker’s got a slight scissor beak to the right, and what appears to be an older injury to the beak – possibly from another bird. Lab results indicated surprisingly normal bloodwork and negative viral test result. With proper care it seems as though his/her feathers will grow back. This bird loves attention and interaction with people. Just being talked to makes this one happy. Beeker’s a bit of a curious bird, watching what anyone, feathered or otherwise, may be doing.
A Hahn’s macaw may only be slightly larger than a cockatiel; however small in stature, this bird still needs the attention given to any type of macaw. The smallest known macaw, Ara diospsittaca noblis noblis, is suffering from habitat loss in its native lands of the Guyana’s, Venezuela, and Brazil. So while not yet considered endangered, these macaws are on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species list, known commonly as CITES.
Rama and Redd - Two Greys in Need of Guardian Angels
Rama, Grey parrot
Psittacus eritaicus
With one owner until 1991, and then the 2nd owner until May 4, Rama lost his long time home when his owner became homeless due to job loss resulting in eviction the first week of May.
Rama’s had a detailed history of a severely overgrown and scissored beak. Feathers are dirty and somewhat frayed, most likely because of his inability to groom them well and infrequent baths. Until this bird arrived in to our care, she/he had never been to a veterinarian or had any medical testing whatsoever. All viral and lab test results are pending.
Rama is certainly comfortable with people, but prefers to step up on to a stick. He spent decades in a very small cage but was allowed room to roam about. He’s in a much larger cage now, and looks like he’s going to enjoy the new space. His former owner provided him with bells, bells and more bells – and it’s clear to see that his eyes light up when he’s making bell music by shaking his toys. We’ve added some soft, brightly colored wood to his cage, and he’s ready to take every new piece apart with eager anticipation.
We hope that Rama will be adoptable once out of quarantine – but until then, Rama is need of a Candy Mama or Sugar Daddy to underwrite his veterinary care and diagnostic testing? Is that YOU?
Redd, Timneh Grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus timnehnensis
Job and home losses due to the economic downturn made it impossible for Redd’s owner to care for this bird any longer. Concerned with the bird’s worsening neurologic symptoms and his inability to afford needed veterinary care, Redd came in as a veterinary emergency on May 4. Some medical history was provided, but this adorable little Timneh is struggling to survive. His owner reported that Redd is barely able to eat, unable to perch and has difficulty walking about. His solution was to keep Redd in a teensy, cylindrical cage to keep him from falling over – when the bird needed additional veterinary intervention. A long time volunteer drove to Cheyenne, WY to transport Redd immediately to Dr. Kris Ahlgrim at GoldenView Veterinary Hospital. With no open quarantine at our Aviary and Adoption Center, and no history of diagnostic laboratory testing, we could not risk the health of other birds in our limited quarantine. Dr. Ahlgrim is not certain what’s the matter with Redd, but this bird remains hospitalized. Continued weight loss requires that he be tube fed; radiographs are needed but Redd needs to be stable enough to undergo the procedure. Every person that has met this sweet, sweet bird during his 9-year life has remarked what a loveable bird this is – and that Redd deserves a chance. His neurologic symptoms may be indicative of a tumor, and his lack of mobility and balance possible due to metabolic bone disease. Dr. Kris and TGF are doing everything possible to find out what’s wrong with Redd and to save his life. Hospital care and supporting diagnostics are costly. Redd desperately needs us and we desperately need you. Even with significant veterinary discounts for TGF’s flock, we need to raise $1000 just for Redd’s care. Please consider supporting Redd by making a donation to the Forever Norman Fund for emergency veterinary care.
Please make a tax deductible donation to The Gabriel Foundation today and help these special birds receive the love and care they so deserve.
Click here to read TGF's statement on breeding parrots.
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