Bird of the Month

We are looking to add more birds of the month, if you are an approved foster home with the small bird rescue and you enjoy writing; let us know. we would love to keep this page going... Just email us a photo with a brief history and story about the rescued bird, readers really enjoy hearing about the birds we all rescue.

This is a normal gray Cockatiel this bird was given up because of the noise and the fact that there will be a new human baby in the family…

This is a white Old Dutch Capuchine pigeon. He was brought in to us on September 24, 2005. He is just another very sweet bird looking for a good home. Click HERE to e-mail us if you are considering adopting him, or any other birds we have.

This is Baby a 3 year old Cockatiel. Baby’s last human companion was stricken with cancer & could no longer take care of him. He seems a little timid now with his new companion and surroundings, but his previous human companion said he was very friendly with him. Baby loves rope toys, he has disassembled several since his arrival here at the rescue. Baby is ready to go home with you today.

This is Sprinkles a Nun Pigeon. Nun Pigeons, a variety of Tumblers, were first raised in Holland in the early 1600’s. Tumbler Pigeons got their name due to a frequent and regular tumble they do while in flight. This tumbling phenomenon is thought to be caused by a genetic defect in the birds’ inner ear “its’ balance center”. Good tumblers today have become very scarce. Tumblers are grouped into two varieties, long beaks and short beaks. Sprinkles is of the long beak variety. Germy (See Bird of the Month December 2004 on our website) is an example of a short beaked Pigeon, however Germy an Old German Shield Owl Pigeon is NOT a type of Tumbler. Another type of Pigeon that can be a lot of fun is a Roller Pigeon, which is closely related to the Tumbler. Rollers are the Kings & Queens of the air doing forward and backward somersaults over 33 feet across the sky while only loosing 13 feet or less in altitude. (WARNING: before you let your Pigeons fly free, they must be well trained in the art of Homing. ALSO: Pigeons with a lot of white on their body are easy targets for the predatory birds and animals here in the Arizona Desert.) We have several solid black and Blue Bar Pigeons up for adoption that are very tame and would make great Homing Pigeons, as well as loving pets for someone. Sprinkles has a good amount of white on him, therefore he would not be a very good bird to have flying free. Sprinkles, however will perform some great acrobatics even in a small aviary for you, as well as coo & cuddle up to your chest. He will stay on a perch in your home while enjoying his time with you. He is great with kids, will not bite, and loves to eat treats (safflower seeds) right out of your hand. Sprinkles is an older bird that just lost his life’s partner 2 months ago to old age, but he is adjusting as well as can be expected after loosing a loved one.

This is Spunky Chicken (gray head) & Spaz (solid black). These 2 very young chicks were brought in on April 11, 2005 By Animal Control Officer G. Benedetto #14619 of the City of Mesa Police Department. Both Chickens were stuffed into a very small finch cage, duct taped in, and thrown into an apartment complexes trash dumpster. This happened in the downtown Mesa Area. Spunky & Spaz would love to see this horrible person come to justice. If you have any information about this animal cruelty crime that took place on 4/11/05 please contact the City of Mesa Police Department at 480 644-2268 and ask for Officer G. Benedetto #14619. We have no idea how long these sweet birds were in the 90+ degree heat in the dumpster. They were both treated for dehydration & malnourishment here at the rescue. Since this occurred just two weeks after Easter, it is our guess that they must have been a bad idea Easter gift; the chicks grew fast; they did not know what to do with them; and threw them away. Some other people buy other birds; find that they do not like sharing there lives with them; so they let them fly out the door; not knowing they will most likely die out in the desert. YOU CAN HELP US STOP THIS!!! Make it a priority for you to tell just 10 people you meet that the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center will take in any pet or farm bird, and find a great home for them to enjoy their life. If we can save just one bird by this word of mouth, then both you and I can feel we did our part.

We love to receive updates, letters, and photos from all the bird we send out with their new guardians. Here are some of the letters we received from this months Bird of the Month, a little Cockatiel Named Sparkle that was born crippled. She is more than a handful of love…

January 31, 2005 - “This is our loving little Sparkle. Her favorite spot is in the middle of my chest but I felt this picture more appropriate. She is such a joyful baby. She's also one of my most vocal birds. She demands to be cuddled. Food is high on her list. She wants a lot of it and a variety. She doesn't share her cage. It's hers and she likes it that way. She reminds me on a daily basis that life doesn't have to be perfect to be lovingly embraced. Life with a handicap can be a struggle. When I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with my MS I just go get my Sparkle. She puts everything in its proper perspective and reminds me that life is manageable. She is a gift. My life is richer because of her.” Signed Jan Enjada

March 9, 2005 - “Sparkle has a new cage that's better suited to her special needs. She's doing really well, even spunky. She absolutely demands to be held. She loves sleeping under my shirt on my chest. I've considered adding a third cup to my bras so she could stay right in the middle full time.” Signed Hugs To All, Jan Enjada

Dear Rod, Today is so in contrast to yesterday. First I'd like to say thank you for selecting my Sparkle as bird of the month. Seems as though she was waiting for her fifteen minutes of public fame. She passed away some time in the early morning hours. I'm so sad. It wasn't my time to let go of her when it was her time to go. She had such a good day yesterday. She was more demanding than usual about, 'Snuggle Time.' I'd get her out, tuck her in the middle of my bra and let her scrunch herself down and sleep. This was pure bliss to Sparkle and total happiness to me. When I'd put her back in to her cage she'd instantly start to protest then climb up the side and hang from a rung by her beak looking for all the world like she needed rescued. This always worked. She knew I couldn't stand to see her fluffy feathered little self just hanging there. I'd go get her back out and we'd do our routine all over again. I tucked her in bed for the last time about 9:30 last night. She seemed resolved that our day was coming to a close. She followed me to the far corner of her cage. Had I known that I wouldn't wake up to hear her joyful greeting I'd have stayed up all night and held her. It doesn't matter how many birds we own. Each one fills a unique need. Every time we add another bird to our family it's because there's an opening in our heart that only that bird can fill. Sparkle filled a huge space for me. On those days that I doubted my ability to put one foot in front of the other I only had to go to her cage to receive her assurance that I could do just what I needed to do. She was a sprit akin to my own. She blessed me on a daily basis. My Sparkle is free to fly the heavens now. Something that her little misshapen wings couldn't do here. She won't hurt any more. She'll get a new body. She leaves all of us who had the gift of loving her richer for the experience and sad that her time here wasn't just a little longer. Thank you, Rod for the important work you do. You deliver so many blessings to each and every one of us who benefit from your life-saving effort.

This is Pamela Quintanilla & Dartland Dearden with their newest family member Ci-Ci, formally known as Climber. Ci-Ci, trying to take over the whole picture is an 11-year-old Blue & Gold Macaw, which was in two homes before coming here to the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center in February 2005. Most large Macaws live to be Octogenarians (that means in their 80’s) with others living an average of 50-65 years. Macaws are bright, curious, energetic, and fun loving companions. Macaws require the right recipe to thrive. This includes having just the right family, lots of love, lots of time & patients, a wide variety of seed, fruits, vegetables, nuts, pellets, healthy table foods, and a whole lot of space to explore. Macaws can be great talkers (not as much so as African Greys) but they can hold their own. Ci-Ci can only say a few words, but she says them with an ultimate celerity and distinction. She is developing a nice bond with her new mom & dad. This is the forth bird that Pamela & Dartland have adopted from us. They spotted their first bird Sundance, a Cockatiel on the Channel 3 evening News in 2003. They instantly fell in love with Sundance (August 2003 Bird of the Month). CI-CI shares her home with 2 Cockatiels, 1 Parakeet, and 2 Humans. All 4 of the birds they have adopted are still a thriving part of their family to this day.

This is Lavern Pruitt with her two Quakers, Pickles & Odie, she adopted on April 13, 04. Pickles shown on her shoulder (age unknown) was brought to the Rescue on March 9, 04. Pickles became lovingly bonded to Mrs. Pruitt while she volunteered here at the Rescue. Pickles is a very sweet & affectionate bird. Odie, born in August 2002, came to the Rescue on April 9, 2004 after loosing his previous home of 2 years due to the owners failing health. Odie’s vocabulary is clear & extensive. He can say “what doin, what ya’ doin, what are you doing, take a bath, I’m a good boy, I’m a bad boy, be a good boy, gimmee kiss, thank you, what, huh, gimmee-gimmee, good morning, corn, come on-come on, peek, peek-a-boo, (he loves to play peek a boo), go nite nite now, and ha ha”. Quaker Parrots can be great birds to have - if they are legal for you to own! If you do not plan to live in your current state for the remainder of your birds life. (Quaker Parrots can live 15-22+ years). Make absolutely sure to check the laws in the states that you will travel through as well as the state that you plan to move to. It is Illegal to own or possess Quaker parrots in the following states: Tennessee, California, Wyoming, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, & Rhode Island. Maine & New Jersey requires you to have a permit (which is not always granted). Ohio requires that all Quakers be incapable of flight & have their flight wings trimmed at all times. Remember not all pets that are legal to own in this state, are legal in others. Take a few minutes now to learn about any pet you wish to adopt / buy, this could save you from some heartache and expensive fines in the future.

This is Germy a Old German Shield Owl Pigeon with his new owner Debbie Krone. Germy (sitting on Debbie’s head) loves to fly all around the store and is loved by all. Germy came to the rescue on January 5, 2004 and adopted by Debbie on July 17, 2004. The Old German Shield Owl is a short, broad, round, white owl with a proud bearing. The breed originated is Asia, but was perfected in Germany. This bird is very similar to the African Owl (the smallest of the owls introduced to Europe form Tunisia in 1850), but has shield markings & a short, stumpy, flesh colored beak. There are smooth headed, point headed and scallop headed varieties. This bird is know for its strong human-bird bonding. A great pet bird for a lover of birds.

We still have (update 5/18/2005: we have found a home for this baby; but we have more great birds still looking for homes.) a similar bird ready for adoption, an Oriental Frill Satinette Owl a breed which was originally bred by the Greeks & the Turks, but the Dutch & the English perfected it. The O.F.S.O. is a small, charming pigeon with a friendly manner. The bird stands low on its feet, has a somewhat squat body shape & has feathered feet. Specimens with light colored head feathers have orange eyes, while those with darker feathers have white eyes. The jabot consists of a row of well developed feathers. Because of feeding difficulties resulting from the short beak, the young are usually transferred to foster care.

This is Blackie & Blondie both female Silkies with their new owner Tom Yarger. Both Chickens came here on November 18, 2003 with 8 other chickens. Blackie loves to be cuddled. Blackie & Blondie are both litter box trained. They both enjoy cleaning up dropped food in the bird room. Shape of male (Silkie Bantam) - Comb: Walnut -- set firmly and evenly on head, almost circular in shape, preferably broader than longer, with a number of small prominences over it, a slight indentation or furrow, transversely across the middle, rising at a point just forward of the nostrils and extending backwards to a point parallel with front of eyes. - Crest: Medium size, soft and full, as upright as the comb will permit having a few silky feathers streaming gracefully backwards from lower and back part of crest. - Beak: Short, broad at base, well curved. - Face: Fine in texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Eyes: Large, bright, prominent. - Wattles: Non-Bearded -- medium size, concave, nearly round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded -- very small, almost concealed by beard. - Ear Lobes: Non-bearded -- small, oval, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded -- very small, almost entirely concealed by muffs. - Head: Small, short, carried so that a line drawn parallel with the tip of the tail will bisect the comb. - Beard & Muffs: Bearded Varieties -- composed of feathers turned horizontally backwards, from both sides of the beak, from the center, vertically downwards, the whole forming a collar of three ovals in a triangular group, giving a muffed effect. - Neck: Short, full, well proportioned, gracefully arched. - Hackle: Abundant, flowing well down over back and shoulders. - Back: Short, broad from shoulders to saddle, quite rounded its entire length, the whole forming a U-shaped curve from neck to tail. - Saddle: Rising from back at base of cape, very broad and round, plumage profuse and long, lower saddle feathers flowing over tips of wings and mingling with fluff. - Tail: Main Tail -- short, very shredded at ends, well spread at base, filled underneath with an abundance of soft feathers which are overlapped by converts and lesser sickles, the whole forming a duplex curve with back and saddle. Sickles, lesser sickles and converts -- abundant, soft, well curved, without hard quills, concealing main tail feathers. - Wings: Medium size, closely folded, carried well back and nearly horizontal, well above lower thighs, ending short of stern. Shoulder & Fronts -- concealed by hackle and breast feathers. Bows and coverts -- very well rounded. Primaries -- medium length, well shredded, concealed by secondaries. Secondaries -- medium length, well shredded, tapering convexly to stern, tips concealed by saddle feathers. - Breast: Carried well forward, extremely full, well rounded, great breadth and depth. - Body & Stern: Body -- medium length, broad, deep, well rounded from breast to abdomen and tail, depending more on fullness or fluffiness and length of feather than on muscular development. Stern -- very full, soft and silky feathering. - Legs & Toes: Legs -- short, stout, set well apart, straight when seen from front. Lower Thighs -- short, stout at top, tapering to hocks, abundantly feathered. Hocks -- covered with soft & silky feathers curving inwards about the hocks. Shanks -- rather short, stout in bone, well feathered on outer sides with silky plumage, the upper part growing out from under thigh plumage & continuing into foot feathering. Spurs -- medium size & length, set just above the fifth toe. Toes -- five, the three front straight, well and evenly spread; the hind toe double, the normal toe in natural position and the extra toe placed above, starting from close to the other toe, but well formed, longer than the other toes and turning upwards & backwards; the outer & middle toes well feathered. Appearance is active, bold, silky & fluffy. Shape of female (Silkie Bantam) Comb: Walnut -- very small, well formed, set firmly & evenly on head, almost circular in shape, preferably broader than long, with a number of small prominences over it, a slight indentation or furrow, transversely across the middle, rising at a point just forward of the nostrils & extending backwards to a point parallel with the front of the eyes. - Crest: Medium - soft & full, compact, globular & well balanced. - Beak: Short, broad at base, well curved. Face is Fine in texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Eyes: Large, bright, prominent. - Wattles: Non-Bearded -- small, concave, forming a half circle, fine texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded -- very small to non-existent, almost concealed by beard. - Ear Lobes: Non-bearded --very small, oval, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded -- very small, almost entirely concealed by muffs. - Head: Small, short, carried so that a line drawn parallel with the tip of the tail will be beneath the wattles. Beard, Muffs, Neck & Hackle: Same as male. - Back: Short, broad from shoulders & quite rounded to its entire length, the whole forming a U-shaped curve from neck to tail. - Cushion: Rising from back at base of cape, very broad and round; plumage, abundant. - Tail: Main Tail -- short, very shredded at ends, well spread at base, filled underneath with an abundance of soft feathers which are overlapped by cushion and converts, the whole forming a duplex curve with back and cushion. - Wings, Breast, Body & Stern: Same as male. Legs & Toes: Same as male except no spur. Appearance is Active, sedate, silky & fluffy.

This is Mathew a White Faced Cockatiel with his new owner Adolfo Galaz and his new girlfriend Chi-Chi, a White Faced Pied Cockatiel. Mathew came here in December 2003 with his son Sam also a White Faced like his dad. Sam has also found a new loving home. Mathew has a strong desire to sit on people’s shoulders and play with their ears. Mathew spends the greater part of his day whistling and singing to Chi-Chi. For educational information on birds click on birdie education.

This is Cisco a Blue & Gold Macaw with her new owner Sharon Venable. Cisco was rescued on 7-10-04 from a home with no time or patients for her. In the 2 weeks that she has stayed with us, Cisco has already started to re-grow her feathers. She is a very friendly and vocal bird. Cisco is still improving at her new home. She is to be paired up with a male blue and gold Macaw. There are many reasons that a bird might feather pick. Feather picking may be the result of frustration, boredom, over preening, fear, breeding, anxiety, psychosis, hormonal, lack of sleep, bad human / bird match, abuse, or just a bad habit. It may also be caused by many medical reasons as well, such as fungal infections, liver disease, allergies, parasites, oil, endocrine problems, psittacosis, renal, tumors, toxins, dermatitis, malnutrition, air sacculitis, folliculitis, etc. (please remember to never punish a bird for any reason, and never try to keep a bird from vocalizing; doing so may result in feather picking or other self mutilating behaviors.) For more educational information on birds click on birdie education below.

This is Blinkie & Wingie with their new owner Marsha Yarger. Blinkie & Wingie were rescued on 2-13-04 by Wes Small an ASCS member from a neighbor of his that was neglecting them. They would be left out of doors for day and weeks at a time (when they left on trips) with no food or water. Thankfully Wes is agile enough to hop fences and be sure they at least got some food and water. Marsha adopted Blinkie & Wingie on 2-29-04. Blinkie loves Wingie, he whistle to her all the time while saying “hello pretty bird” to her. They enjoy cuddling with each other on their favorite branch most of the day. Wingie loves her little swing. Fingers beware, if you try to touch Wingie when Blinkie is around, he may have only one eye, but he is fast to protect his lady. Wingie has a non set broken wing that was never taken care of at her previous location. Blinkie only has a right eye, his left is not there for some unknown reason.

The word disability doesn’t slow down either of these two. There are many disabled birds out their that are in need of great homes. Some without toes, feet, legs, wings, feathers, beaks, etc. that are still very entertaining and agile. Birds are very adaptive pets that can overcome there disabilities. Physically challenged birds can sometimes make wonderful loving pets. Remember not to judge a bird by its feathers.

This is Snowdrift a pure white very energetic albino Parakeet just taking a casual stroll through our autumn village. Snowdrift, rescued on July, 5 2000 was one of the first birds that we saved from a neglectful environment. He went from being a very skinny bird to being a very hefty bird. We still have to take him out of his friend filled flight until all the other parakeets eat at least ½ of the millet sprays or other high calorie snacks, since he hoards all the food for himself. Dr. Driggers says this is normal for a bird that had lived in a home with little to no food at times. He just has the need to gorge on the food for the fear that he will not have any in the future, as in his past. He still acts this way after nearly 4 years of having all he needs. (except for the very high in fat foods) He had some tail pumping 2 years ago, but now with a lower healthier weight he can breath much easier now. (tail pumping is common, especially in English Budgies. This pumping action helps the bird take in a little more air with each breath.) For more information on tail pumping see our website at www.smallbirdrescue.org and click on birdie education. Scroll down for more birds of the month...

This is Reggie and Riley, both birds are Yellow Crowned Amazons. They are both clowns. They love to take noon time showers every day they open their wings saying every word they know. Reggie knows lots of words, but he wont be outdone by Riley. These 2 birds are pictured above with their newly adopted owner. They will enjoy the great space of an 9 foot by 9 foot by 9 foot outdoor aviary right next to two other Yellow Crown Amazons

(update - 3/5/04 -- I regret to announce that Cherry has past away on my birthday March 1, 2004. I will miss the way she use to always make me smile and feel loved, and always following me around the yard in her attempts to get me to scratch her neck and back. Cherry, I Love & Miss you so much. Sincerely. Rod Villemaire, President of the Small Bird Rescue & Retirement Center.)

This is Cherry. Cherry is a Red Frizzle Chicken, she is about ¼ the size of the other chickens. She is dying from malignant carcinoma (cancer), she has had some of her tumors removed but more just keeps growing back. Carcinoma is a type of tumor, an abnormal mass of tissue growth. Cherry is housed with her best friend Gray, a gray Silkie. Her favorite food is live bugs and crickets, she gets all excited when she see a cricket during her free time, an hour each day to patrol the entire yard. Pray for Cherry, maybe a miracle will happen. I hope she touched your heart like it did ours.

This is Love & Mercy. Love is the White Dove & Mercy is the Ring Neck Dove. They were rescued with other doves that are also up for adoption. They like the new aviary that they reside in but; they really want a home with YOU. They have been here for four months now. Their favorite food is Sunflower Seed. They also like the Chicken Crumble that we feed the chickens, I guess that they do not know they are not Chickens. I hope these birds touched your heart like it did ours.

This is Largo a gray & white Cockatiel rescued October 2003. Largo was adopted by her new family in December 2003. She now also lives with Yoda (last month’s bird of the month) and family. Both Largo & Yoda get along great. Yoda loves to preen Largo with his big old beak.

This is Yoda a Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus Senegalus) he can also be called a yellow-Bellied parrot. Most Senegal’s are 9 inches in length. Senegal’s in the wild live in the northwestern part Africa. Their habitat is mostly dry, sparsely wooded savannas and open forests. Yoda loves his favorite treat - peanuts. Yoda came to us after living with an elderly woman for 7½ years. She had to go into a nursing home due to poor health. Yoda is now in a new home with a new family to call his own. He is with the same family that adopted Largo the Cockatiel. Yoda and Largo preen each other and are reported to us to be the best of friends. What a happy ending...

Angel & Pretty Girl were rescued August 4^th 2003 Angel is a male indigo purple parakeet. Pretty Girl is a female white & blue parakeet. They have been together for 3 years. They now live with about 20 other parakeets. Angel & Pretty Girl do not hang out much any more, but they have made some new friends. They are with us now because their owner could not take them on the move to a new apartment. Angel & Pretty Girl have homes.

Baby Bell (Baby) is a mostly gray Cockatiel with some white and a bright yellow head. She is the sweetest little bird I have ever seen. We treat her like a little princess. Baby says "hello baby", she barks like both a small & large dog, and she makes kissing noises. Baby loves millet, bread, and anyone that will scratch her head. She also imitates two of our phones ring sounds and imitates the touch tone noises of a phone. Baby Bell has a home 10-20-03.

Sun-Dance (JAWS) is a mostly yellow Cockatiel with some white and a touch of gray. He is not a very friendly bird now though he has made a new Cockatiel friend here named Marge. Sun-Dance will go out of his way to try and attack any person in the room or any bird other than Marge. Sun-Dance was bought to us because his owner had had enough. He spent years of watching his young children in the home constantly tease and torture the poor bird. Since his rescue on June 23, 2003 we have spent countless hours with him. He is now to the point where will perch hesitantly on our hand. He named himself Sun-Dance, for as the sun comes up in the morning he dances a little dance for about one hour non-stop.

Whoopi Goldberg AKA (Blacky) a black & white chicken rescued on June 16, 2002. We rescued her along with four other pet chickens that could no longer stay where they were. She enjoys the secure 8X8X8 foot cool misted sanctuary they live in. She loves to eat bread and fresh greens. she spends most of her time relaxing in her nest box. She provides lots of fresh eggs for all our other birds to eat. Whoopi has a home.

Princess was rescued in October 2001. She is a yellow & black Hartz Roller Canary. She loves multi-grain bread & millet sprays. Just try and hold her back when there is fresh broccoli florets in her cage. Did you know, not too long ago people around the world used canaries to warn them of danger in mining caves. If the canary died, they would know to evacuate right away. They used canaries because of their very sensitive respiratory system. Many canaries gave their lives to save many human lives. (update Princess now has a home)

Honey drop born March 22, 1998, a cream & tan female English Budgie was rescued on March 22, 2001 with her mate Mr. King, a green parakeet. She was the 4th bird we rescued. She has 3 offspring living with her named Prince (green), Chicken (bright yellow), and Rose (solid cream). Her mate Mr. King born on November 1, 1998 Passed away on September 2, 2001 from Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy (an autoimmune disorder causing an enlarged heart) discovered at his Necropsy. Honey Drop is inseparable from her daughter Chicken. Honey Drops favorite food is millet spays. Honey Drop now has a home.