Corona and Starbuck

This month we’re sharing and celebrating the stories of two birds that are in our care and in the adoption program. Not that they’re shady characters, but we don’t have much information on them since they both came to us from different animal shelters – Colorado Springs and Denver for which TGF is a transfer shelter.

Corona is handsome and charismatic, responding with curiosity to new faces and visitors. His history indicates that he’s about 5 years old and lost his home when the original owners relinquished him May 8 to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Their main reason was that “he was impossible to tame.” Because the traditional animal shelter  environment is generally not able to provide appropriately for large parrots, most look to either transfer the birds out or place them in foster homes. This helps them to boost their LRR (live release rate) as well as making life better for the birds. He went into foster care with a family who had some previous experience with cockatoos. After a couple of weeks it became evident that they were not equipped to work with a bird who had basically been taught to bite in his previous home. This family became fearful of Corona, decided he was too dangerous for their family and he needed placement again.

Corona joins the ranks of cockatoos that have been learned behaviors that cost them their homes. Labels like “unpredictable”, “aggressive”, “mean”, and “dangerous” are what follow these birds for the rest of their lives. The common theme that the majority of the relinquished cockatoos share is that their human family’s skill set, expectations, actions, knowledge and the environment were not set up for long term success from the beginning. Bringing home a snuggly, cuddly young cockatoo is easy, though too often an expensive mistake with repercussions that last for decades. The real challenge and inspiration for the lifetime care of the cockatoo (or any bird for that matter) is when the bird begins to mature, bringing along with it the mechanisms it has learned extremely well at the well intentioned but often misdirected affections and interactions of its human family. So begins the revolving door of sequential homes for the bird that is at first adorable and “loving” to the bird that is demanding and dangerous. Many of the learned (and reinforced) behaviors such as screaming, biting, lunging, feather destructive behavior are incompatible with that bird remaining in one home for the majority of its life.

At TGF, one of our tasks is to provide birds like Corona the opportunities to interact with a variety of new people, to learn how to live alongside other birds, to provide daily stimulation, exercise, interaction and opportunities to use up some of their energy in ways that don’t result in punishment, isolation, lock-up or neglect. This is the crux of the care that we provide through the necessary time, behavioral assessment, interaction and environment that we provide at TGF. Corona’s got a very long life ahead of him – maybe 60 years or more. We’ve got a lot of work to do with Corona to help him acquire a reservoir of confidence and skills that can help him to transition to an adoptive home. We also have a great deal of work to invest in an interested adopter so that the relationship between Corona and a family is one that understands that behaviors that are reinforced are behaviors that continue. As humans we need to learn that when we just set out to acquire and love a bird, it’s generally insufficient to keep that bird in our home(s). The responsibility for learning and teaching falls to us as caregivers as we ultimately are the ones who teach our bird how to respond to us, and every person subsequent to us, by the consequences of our actions and interactions with the birds in our care. Whether well thought out or impulsive, that one decision to add a bird to our lives is a profound commitment. How we honor that responsibility is by acquiring the most positive, least intrusive set of skills and knowledge to create a toolbox of ideas and proven methods  that continue to grow with each success with our birds.

For a more tools to place in your “toolbox”, please go to www.thegabrielfoundation.org/training and add Dr. Susan Friedman’s www.behaviorworks.org illuminating papers and Shauna Robert’s articles to your daily must-read list.

Sebastian and Cotton

A Moluccans Story

I received the vm to call a local animal shelter. I did, and was told that there was a pair of large cockatoos that needed to be transferred to The Gabriel Foundation. And, they were housed in a big cage that could go with them. I was told that they  looked pretty ratty and had lived with their owner for many, many years. Someone familiar with the birds and owner had intervened and got the owner to surrender the birds for their safety and health. I was also told that an anonymous donor had left a certified check  for The Gabriel Foundation with the caveat that the check came to TGF when and if we took the birds and placed them in to sanctuary. A day later, I was able to visit the shelter and meet two Moluccans named Sebastian and Samantha.

When I saw them, my breath quickly seized up. One of the birds looked so awful and had such feather loss that my mind ran to PBFD. The cage, though large, was old and dirty, the powder coating long rubbed off, and  only one perch through the center of the cage was there for the birds. It was a ½ inch galvanized metal pipe. That was it – nothing else in that cage for those birds. Someone had provided the birds with a large bag of Roudybush pellets which appeared to be just purchased. The person who got the birds to us was definitely not the owner. The check was for several thousand dollars. I was stunned by the news and the appearance of the birds.

I had come prepared with two carriers, towels and some treats to feed them during the drive to their new home. Warning signs were posted on the wall above the two birds, now housed in separate cages. DO NOT TOUCH. BIRDS WILL BITE. I thought that was good information and probably kept prodding fingers out of the birds’ private space.  Taking a deep breath to overcome the sadness I felt looking at this mature bird couple, I assembled my towel, gently reached in to their cages and took each one out and transferred it to the waiting carriers. Not a peep was made. I thanked the shelter personnel for their assistance, and let them know that we would not take the cage and why it was a dangerous cage for the birds despite being a big, big cage.

The 3 of us got into the vehicle. Quiet prevailed. Once at The Birdbrain, Samantha and Sebastian went into a soft quarantine in the middle office. They were still as mannequins and looked out with such dark eyes at the new world immediately in front of them after more than 30 years in their other life. What were they seeing? What reaction would they have to this new life? Were they chronically ill? All these questions would soon be answered.

After letting Samantha and Sebastian settle in for a couple of weeks, Dr. Opitz, our staff veterinarian began her physical exam and diagnostic tests. Viral testing and blood testing was ordered. Several days later, we learned that Samantha had significant and chronic liver disease, most likely from a history of bad diet. Both birds leaned into each other, most likely for safety and a sense of security. Finished, they went in to their new cages. We provided a cage for each bird with the opportunity to be out of their cages and interact with each other. It was the right strategy. They soon were curiously exploring their food dishes filled with fresh vegetables, greens, some fruit, some seed and nuts. They started to eat with gusto. Each day they examined their filled food dishes with curiosity and enthusiasm. Baths were provided, along with air cleaners and a humidifier, and they soon began a transformation. Samantha’s oily, dirty skin and feathers lost that slimy, sticky feel. New feather growth emerged and Sebastian went to work help to preen of the stiff keratin sheaths off of the blood feathers.

Life continued to improve dramatically for this pair. Sebastian continued to perk up, wearily interacted with people, while standing between Samantha and any admirers. Quarantine finished, the pair moved to the bird area at the back and took in their new surroundings, flock and change in scenery. They continued to be more comfortable every day judging by their exploration, interaction with their perches, toys and other foraging items. Then, several months later, Samantha’s demeanor changed slightly. The differences were subtle, but  testing revealed nothing besides that the years of malnutrition badly damaged her liver. We continued to monitor food intake, her weight, droppings and behavior closely. Then one day this winter the unthinkable happened. Samantha and her friend Sebastian ate their breakfast with gusto. They went back to their perches to preen and take a snooze. Seconds later Samantha fell dead from her perch. Sebastian was making sounds of what seemed to us unbearable sadness. His longtime companion was gone. Life would be forever changed for Sebastian.

Months before, Karen VH took another call. The caller’s elderly parents could no longer remain in their home. What would happen to their birds – a Sun conure, Sunny, and Cotton, a Moluccan cockatoo? The couple was placed into assisted living. The birds were left in their long time home. The family members took turns going in to feed the birds. They wanted to know when we could take them. We told them that our quarantine space was filled, and that since this was an emergency situation we would do our best to accommodate them, but could not guarantee a timeframe until a new quarantine would open up. Then it did, nearly a year later. Cotton and Sunny were brought to our Acoma location and set up separately from any other birds. Cotton appeared to remain frozen on his perch, while Sunny was squawking away and appeared comfortable with most people. Gradually Cotton began to explore his cage, both in and out, and acted less frozen in space. Our hope in taking in these birds was that Cotton could be a new best friend for Sebastian. Once moved out of quarantine, we moved Cotton and cage to a space near Sebastian. They immediately took to each other. We would let them preen, forage and interact with each other as much time as possible. From wary neighbors to side by side best buddies, they selected each other as best friends. Last week, we gave then a new cage that measures 64”w x 32”d x 72” tall. It was a good choice. Room for both to get away from each other, separate food dishes and more interior room to explore. They are now found side by side, peering down on the flock and staff who hurry to complete their daily bird care and retail tasks. Cotton has someone to “speak his language” and Sebastian it seems has come home to be with his new best friend, Cotton. Come and visit them at our Denver location where they are bound to touch your heart. We can’t fix all of the wrongs done (unintentionally) to these birds, but with your help we make a difference in their lives every single day. This is a story of true love and survival and an inspiration to continue the work that we do.

If you’d like to donate to help us care for Sebastian and Cotton, we make it easy at www.thebirdbrain.com or at thegabrielfoundation.org. We need your support now to continue our lifesaving work. Cotton and Sunny are living proof of the difference that is made every day. Thank you.

Sunny, the Sun Conure

........the story continues

All of us at TGF are so happy to share the joy that adoptions bring about for our flock and their human caregivers. Sunny's new family is still smitten with him. Here's his story.

Sunny, the Sun conure, is the little buddy  to Cotton, the Moluccan cockatoo. As noted above, both birds were relinquished to TGF from an elderly couple who went into assisted living and could no longer keep their birds. The birds were on TGF's wait list for several months, and a pet sitter was tasked with caring for the birds in their home until they could come into quarantine at TGF. Once out of quarantine, we hoped that Cotton would become friends with Sebastian, another male Moluccan cockatoo, whose longtime companion, Samantha, died of chronic liver disease.

Sunny had many new admirers once out of quarantine, but he had captured the affectioin of one of TGF's aviary technicians.

Tasha shares her home with several birds, including conures, so Sunny's vocalizations were no surprise to her. Here is her story about Sunny:

            I brought this little guy home after he stole my heart . On Mondays I would have  my  lunch in  the office  where he was in quarantine.  Sunny would come out of his cage to get a little bite of bread from the sandwich I was eating. He just  seems to love coming out of his cage  and   sitting with  his favorite people. I am so happpy that he fits right in with the rest of my flock.  And the rest of my flock seems to get along with him ;  that ' s a bonus. He is a very nice little bird unless he you  are  not  paying  him any attention . Then he gives you a good scolding  in his own voice. He says"hello " ,  "What are you doing ?" ,  " WHAT " , and something I haven't been able to  decipher  yet. I'm so glad he's part of my flock,  and this has been  a good choice for both of us.

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Meet Shammie and Roxie & The VA Macaws Update too.

In July 2008, 31 macaws from the Commonwealth of VA were physically placed under the care of TGF as the result of a cruelty seizure by Orange County, Virgini a animal control. Those birds were transported to a TGF off-site care location in FL as ordered by the Court.  The owners of those birds faced different animal cruelty charges from the Orange County, VA District Attorney, and the legal ramifications of that case lasted over 2 years. No funds on behalf of these birds have been provided to TGF to offset the considerable veterinary, housing, food, enrichment and other costs of care for these birds. The owners were not ordered to provide restitution, and the District Court was unable to provide any compensation for the care of these birds. At the end of September 2010, the entire flock was moved to a new private aviary location to provide for their needs, while remaining in Loxahatchee, FL. This flock has been under the veterinary care and guidance of Dr. Susan Clubb of Rainforest Clinic for Birds and Dr. Vanessa Rolfe, of the Bird & Exotic Hospital in Lake Worth, FL. This month we introduce you to this special flock, a couple of birds at a time.

Shammie is a female Shamrock macaw, about 8 years old, who is one of hybrid offspring of a Military and Scarlet macaw pair in this flock. The former owners bred many of these hybrids for sale. Shammie has a history of significant lipomas which are heavy fatty tissue deposits. She had received treatment for these fatty tumors when she first came into our care and they reduced, but recently they started to significantly enlarge in size. At the end of September 2010, Shammie was put under Dr. Rolfe’s care and hospitalized because the lipomas were in danger of ulcerating due to their size. She has been living at Dr. Rolfe’s clinic and eating a special diet since her transfer there. With the wonderful hands-on care that Shammie has received from Dr. Rolfe, Angie and the rest of the staff, she is a great candidate for a new home. And, she’s en route to CO to help her find one. Could that be you?  

Roxie is a female Blue & Gold offspring, one of four from the same pair, that was living with siblings at the time of the seizure. She is about 10 years old. During the 2-plus years under our care, Roxie has had a history of egg-binding, even though she is not paired with a male. When we moved the entire flock of macaws to their new FL location at the end of September, it was clear to both veterinarians that Roxie was not doing well and needed medical intervention. Along with Shammie, she was hospitalized under Dr. Rolfe’s care. Five months later, she is much improved and now thriving. Along with Roxie, she too is looking for a special someone to love her, and she is en route to CO to help her find a loving family.

We need your help to care for Shammie and Roxie – and we know that it’s a lot to ask. You’ve helped us in the past, and every time we’ve needed to reach out to you. Before coming under our care, neither of these birds even had a name – their former owners called them # 4 and #5. They never knew shelter, affection, veterinary care, a tender word or a caring family from the time that they hatched until they were seized. That’s all changed for them now. Please find a place in your heart to sponsor Roxie or Shammie or one of the other macaws in this large flock. Some of these birds  will be available for adoption in the next couple months. Others will most likely live out their lives in sanctuary with us.

To donate for Shammie and Roxie’s transport from FL to CO, their care, toys and housing, please click here to get to the donation page. These birds are not just a story any more; their lives have been in our hands for over 2-1/2 years. No matter how large or how small an amount you can give, Shammie and Roxie are counting on us all.

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VA Macaws Update

TGF would love to have the current financial ability to build a new facility for the Virginia Macaws.  Although we have applied to various sources specifically for these birds, sufficient funds, whether private or public, have not been granted in order to accomplish this feat. 

We DID receive emergency grant funding in late fall to help offset the cost of moving these birds from one location to another. To house all of the birds we also received funding to help us purchase large outdoor cages, roofing materials, framing, enrichment, and to cover some of the costs of veterinary care and exams for this flock. Until this emergency grant funding came in, the cost of care for these birds has been borne 100% by TGF since July 26, 2008. We are financially responsible for funding their daily care and husbandry plus any veterinary costs. Neither the Courts, the Defendants, nor the avicultural community has contributed to these bird’s care. Last month, we did have one very generous donor who contributed $1000 toward Shammie & Roxie’s care and transport to CO. These two  macaws will be travelling shortly to CO from the veterinary clinic under whose care they have remained since October due to their chronic health problems.

TGF has been in the application process for a PUD with a 30-year plan with Elbert County for expansion. Until that permitting is complete, we are unable to begin a capital campaign for building and expansion. Our goal is to expand our bird housing and aviaries to accommodate the VA macaws, the Pueblo macaws and other macaws and some other South American species’ individuals that are not generally considered adoptable or which remain in sanctuary. We always welcome suggestions, and welcome your ideas for raising the needed revenue to build them a "new home" once our PUD application is approved in Elbert County that will outline specifics of any further expansion. We will keep our friends apprised of new developments as they happen.

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Dawn, the mighty cockatiel update

“The dawn is not distant, nor is the night starless; love is eternal.”  -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It is with sadness that we announce the March 17, 2011 passing of Dawn, a trooper of a cinnamon-pied cockatiel. Dawn came to us in April 2006 – just 5 years ago, from a true rescue. Their owner, now deceased, was a former bird breeder whose own health went into steep decline. On oxygen, unable to go up/down the stairs, unable to clean, and no one able to help her, she relinquished her flock. Many of the birds were lovebirds and cockatiels. We named them the “Giggle-Gang.”

About 6 months ago, we noticed that Dawn’s physical appearance and demeanor had changed. Upon physical examination, Dr. Opitz observed a physical mass in the back of Dawn’s throat. It was biopsied and pathology indicated it to be a squamous cell carcinoma. A treatment plan was developed; she would start chemotherapy and the mass would be debrided. Both helped Dawn to continue to have good days for the next six months. She was eating, vocalizing and enjoying things cockatiels typically enjoy. And we continued to closely watch her.

Then, her condition acutely appeared to deteriorate and she was having great difficulty breathing. Upon exam, it was evident that the mass had grown quickly to cover her trachea. She had difficulty eating, food was getting trapped in her airways and millet and other food debris was getting stuck in her choanal slit. Swallowing food was difficult and she could not get food through her trachea because the tumor had grown to occlude the trachea.

Dr. Opitz soon determined that operating on the mass was too difficult due to its location, and it would be impossible to remove all of the mass, so the decision was made to euthanize Dawn and end her suffering. Upon necropsy, Dr. Opitz was able to see that the mass had grown so large that the opening to Dawn’s trachea was narrowed to about the size of a pinpoint. This reconfirmed that we made the right decision for Dawn. Pathology results of the tumor are pending, but Dr. Opitz believes that the rapid tumor growth is the result of squamous cell carcinoma based on the original biopsy.

At The Gabriel Foundation, we believe that the post-mortem exam, necropsy and histopatholgy are important tools to understand why a bird has died. Our protocol is to perform these procedures on every bird that passes while in our care. We urge everyone to honor the life of their beloved pet bird(s) and have these diagnostics performed by their veterinarian. Not all procedures will result in a definitive reason about “why” but a necropsy helps veterinary medicine to better understand a bird’s overall health from a life spent in captivity and all that entails. The avian veterinarian’s  knowledge of diet, husbandry, physical activity and disease relating to companion parrots has grown exponentially as a result, and that information helps us all to continually learn how to improve the lives of the birds we so love.

Please email us at gabriel@thegabrielfoundation.org if you’d like to know about sponsoring birds in need of your support..