BIRD GARDENS OF NAPLES

Last Friday, we visited Bird Gardens of Naples .    This nonprofit organization was created to provide sanctuary for parrots that are abandoned, abused or in a need of a home for any reason.   The Gardens are located in a beautiful  natural green area known as Corkscrew Swamp.    

 

 

Keri, our tour guide and the owner of the Sanctuary, reminded us that parrots have life spans of up to 100 years.   Some of the birds in the gardens outlived their owners.  Others were neglected, abandoned, or brought to her because their owners could no longer care for them.  She also cares temporarily (and free of charge) for parrots whose owners are ill (for instance in chemo or radiation, when it would be unwise for them to handle their pets).  

   

 

 

The parrots are provided with large flight aviaries equipped with watering systems, natural perching, and toys.

 

 

We are in the flight area here -- one of the birds flew right down and landed on the owner's head.  She wasn't even surprised.    She told us that all of the caregivers at the Gardens are knowledgeable in avian medicine, nutrition and behavior.  Her staff and volunteers spend all day interacting with the parrots.

 

 

A few snapshots of us and our friends feeding the birds.  They can eat unsalted nuts (no peanuts) and no seeds .  Keri said that even with the roomy aviaries, these birds   do not get as much exercise as parrots in the wild do and so seeds are not good for them.   (The children are not ours -- they and their parents were the only other group on our tour. )

 

 

LINKING to MOSAIC MONDAY (thank you to Judith) and to OUR WORLD (thanks to Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Arija, Gattina, and Jenn).  

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Debbie]

beautiful, beautiful birds!!! it's wonderful that people can open these aviaries and care for these birds. it seems otherwise, they would have no hope. i had no idea that parrots lived that long!! your pictures are lovely, they are such brightly colored birds!!!

[JennJilks]

We have a parrot rescue here, too. SOmetimes owners die... other can't manage them.

[KL]

Lovely pictures and a lovely place. Thank you for sharing.

[NatureFootstep]

reminded me of the ZOO in Honolulu. I was there with my family, good memories :)

[Jesh StG]

Hello Sally - beautiful parrots - didn't know they could become that old!
A gentle reminder to link up so SEASONS today (the link closes 7pm, Pacific time) - maybe with one of these beautiful parrots? Your choice, hope to see you there:)
and enjoy the rest of the week!

[Penelope Puddlisms]

There are angels among us and these caretakers of parrots in need certainly fit the bill. Wise to wear a hat as any novice would certainly be startled should a bird land on their head. :)

[Sara - My Woodland Garden]

Hello Sallie, thank you for the wonderful photos and interesting information! What amazing colours!
Fortunately there are people like Keri.
The plant in my post should be a Helleborus orientalis... and the flower was supposed to be purplish. :)

[Dianne]

I love parrots, and live with five of them. However, I stuck to the medium sized parrots,similar to the Nanday Conures (the parrots with black heads in your photo). The larger parrots live a long time, the smaller ones, less so. I don't think these colorful Macaws are the longest lived, that would be the African Grey Parrot or perhaps the Cockatoos from Australia. Parrot owners turn parrots out sometimes and 'feral' colonies have sprung up everywhere, even New York and Chicago. They are a huge issue in CA, FL. TX and LA.

[Ratty]

I love parrots. I recently read an article describing how wild ones develop their own languages.

[Amy Franks]

I like the one in the first photo, the blue colours are lovely :-)

[Pat]

What a great thing the owner is doing for these parrots. They are not an easy pet to have. Loud, messy, and sometimes aggressive. BUT the upside is that they have amazing personalities.

Great photos Sallie!

[diane]

Some people do wonderful work to care for animals. They are such pretty birds and full of character.

[Michelle RW]

I have always been impressed with parrots...beautiful smart birds...Michelle...

[Laura Hegfield]

Such beautiful birds... and quite intelligent too. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your kind comments Sallie.

[Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES]

Do they talk ... all at once? I used to have parakeets.

[Halcyon]

What a fun tour this must have been! Glad to hear there is a caring place for these beautiful birds.

[Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti]

It's so nice that people fund refuges like this, Sallie. I know parrots live a very long time, so it's good they have a good home.

[Lady Fi]

It's sad to see the birds in cages - but oh, they are just lovely!

[Martha Z]

Beautiful birds. I'm glad they were able to find a home when their owners could not or would not care for them.

[Eden Hills]

What a great place!

[Sondra-SC]

It's a shame they are not free, but I'm so happy she is taking great care of them...amazing birds!!

[Judith @ Lavender Cottage]

Isn't that interesting, and kind of the people to run a sanctuary for parrots. There are many folks who do this for various animals too, I support one not far from us for bears and a friend donates to a donkey sanctuary.

[Christian]

A great place and cool birds.

[Donna@Gardens Eye View]

Colorful and amazing birds!

Donna@GardensEyeView
and LivingFromHappiness

[Photo cache]

I like the name Corkscrew Swamp. If I'm traveling and there's a bird park or a reserve, I always want to go visit. How lovely these birds are.

[artmusedog and carol]

Wow! What an array of color in the beautiful birds!

Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^

[Hootin' Anni]

How fun is this?!!! I loved reading the commentary too.

[Fun60]

What a good job your friend does.

[Ruby]

Beautiful birds and so colourful! These people are doing a wonderful job. I always admire the love and commitment of those who run animal sanctuaries. Thanks for sharing.....have a lovely week Sallie!

[Lowell]

This is really cool. We've been to Corkscrew Swamp but that was many years ago and I don't think this place was there then. Nice bird pictures, too, Sallie!

[David Gascoigne]

Great story - heartwarming. It's good that these abandoned and neglected birds are cared for. Now if we can just stop the trade in wild birds....

[Rajesh]

Very beautiful and colorful birds, so many of them all in one place.

[Lavender Dreams]

What a fun outing! They are gorgeous birds and it's fun to be able to feed them. Enjoy your week! Looks like another week of beautiful weather. Hugs, Diane

[orchid]

Dearest Sallie; Wow, I never knew such long life spans parrots have and thank you so much for the information♪　The scene 'perching on the owner's head'is adorable♡♡♡ They really are lucky with wonderful environment; Thanks for the word 'aviary' p:-) Lovely to see you all and others (kids) enjoying the Bird Garden(^_^)ｖ

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

[DeniseinVA]

Great photos Sallie. I always think these birds have such a wonderful personality. They always make me smile.

[ellen b]

That really is amazing about their lifespan. Such vibrant colors!

[Carver]

Fascinating shots and post. I had no idea parrots lived that long.

[Penny]

Such a labor of love for these birds. Keri and her staff provide a valuable haven for the birds, and how wonderful that they foster many of the birds while their humans are undergoing treatments. That touches my heart.

[Gunilla]

Gorgeous birds! That's an amazing place.

[Gaelyn]

I'm always happy that someone will provide sanctuary to animals in need.

[Hazel]

What a lovely idea-a parrot sanctuary, and the photos are beautiful!
I read your Blog over an early breakfast, and followed your link. as it was still freezing outside, I watched the video clip too.

[craftygreenpoet]

lovely photos of the parrots, good to know they've got a nice home there

[Eileen]

Hello, Sallie! What a great tour. I love the beautiful parrots. I have been to Corkscrew, it is an awesome place to see the birds. Great post and photos. Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!

[Annie]

Parrots are so wonderful birds ! None of them here...

[Aimee]

Wow! Incredible! I LOVE parrots and one time got to bird-sit two of them--so much fun!!
Blessings,
Aimee

[TexWisGirl]

what a wonderful place - and wonderful people to manage it.