Help save injured and orphaned wild parrots

2015 has been an amazing year for SCP!  We have rescued more parrots this year than ever before.  Our volunteers and staff are doing an incredible job in caring for our parrots getting ready for release as well as our permanent residents.  We just released our amazon flock for this year and we are now focusing our efforts on getting our conures ready for their release.  I'd also like to thank Pat Latas and Maureen Roeber for their continuing support.

We have taken in 73 parrots so far in 2015.  To give you an idea of how much busier we've been this year, we took in a total of 43 parrots in 2014.  A large part of this increase in parrots is our increasing number of rescues, humane societies and veterinarians that have decided to join our wild parrot network.  We have had increased cooperation with organizations north of San Diego throughout Los Angeles.  This year was our most successful year in reuniting fledgling parrots with their parents.  We were able to reunite 7 parrots with their flock without having to bring them to our sanctuary. Many times parrots find there way to the ground when they are attempting to fledge.  They might be dehydrated, hit something while learning to fly or are just learning to use their wings.  This is obviously our preferred way to help the wild parrots.  Minimal human interaction and we know they are back with their flock.  It's pretty special to see the flock worry and wait nearby to get one of their own back.  We just released 25 amazons back into the existing flock in San Diego on December 20th.  These 25 consist of previously injured adults as well as fledglings and babies that were raised at our sanctuary.  Some of these parrots were unable to be released last year so it especially rewarding to see them finally be safely released.  They spent this year together in our main flight with other wild parrots that are unable to be released.  They learn to forage, fly and the social interactions that are so important for flock animals.  Please visit SoCal Parrot's Facebook page to see pictures and video of our release.  We will now be focusing on our conure flock to get them ready for another successful release.

If you want to work hard for very little recognition, I have a job for you as a volunteer for SoCal Parrot.  No, we don't help majestic raptors that are native to Southern California.  We help non-native parrots.  It has taken years but we are seeing the views on our work changing.  To receive recognition and appreciation from Audubon societies as well as local and statewide wildlife organizations is pretty unbelievable.  All of this progress would not be possible without our volunteers and staff.  A lot of our time is spent picking up poop and refreshing food and water bowls.  Not very glamorous.  We have volunteers that do all of this as well as transport parrots from north of Los Angeles to San Diego, educate the public at events and concentrate on enrichment by changing the parrots' environment.  All of that takes coordination and training from our staff as well as keeping up with our social networking and picking up any slack.  

I plan on having another successful conure release by the time the next report comes out.  Thank you for your support and please spread the word about SCP.

Links:

• Union Tribune article