Rescue Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Birds

Mickaboo exists to help birds and the people who care for them. YOUR financial support allows us to continue our mission - and this week's matching gift campaign makes your gift more effective! Gifts up to $50 will be matched at 50% from now through Friday, April 12, 9 pm PT, by GlobalGiving while their matching funds last. 

People who discover Mickaboo for the first time sometimes ask why birds need rescuing and what a bird rescue does.  Here is the story of Rikki Tikki Tavi to illustrate the answer.

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For the first 40 years of his life, Rikki Tikki Tavi, a yellow-naped Amazon, hung out with his human buddy Jerry. They would drive around the country in Jerry’s delivery truck. In the evenings, you could find them together watching the Andy Griffith Show, with Rikki whistling along with the theme song and having dinner with Jerry.

Jerry reached a point as he got older where he couldn’t take care of his feathered friend any longer. But Rikki's life expectancy was a good 40 more years! That’s when Jerry’s family called Mickaboo about taking Rikki and helping to find a new forever home. 

One of Mickaboo’s dedicated volunteers fostered Rikki. Soon some of his talents began to appear. He loved to shoulder surf on his favorite person, preening her hair with a gentle touch. Rikki was a good mimic, too. His favorite sayings were “Good Bird,” “Okay,” “Hellooooo,” “Stepper up,” and “Byeeee!” when you left the room. 

Rikki had never seen an avian vet while in Jerry's care. So, given his age, Mickaboo took him for a health check. We learned he was generally healthy, but had the avian equivalent of high cholesterol due to his lifelong diet of human food (we were told his favorite food had been toast). Rikki was put on a proper parrot diet and his cholesterol levels settled down to normal levels. 

Mickaboo’s goal with birds like Rikki is to help them find a loving home with a family who understands what’s involved in caring for a large bird with a long lifespan. Mickaboo provides training classes and ongoing support to help our adopters be successful. We also hold events in person and online to introduce our birds to the public and educate prospective adopters. Rikki starred in one of our virtual adoption fairs last year and was featured throughout our Amazon August event, where his fun-loving personality entranced many viewers. 

Recently, a family came forward to give Rikki a new home. He’s been settled in for a while now, and he’s completely captured their hearts. Here’s an update: “Rikki’s doing good. He’s quite chatty in the morning. He loves spending time in the kitchen while I get breakfast ready. He enjoys his fruit salad. …We love him, and he’s a great addition to our family.”

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Support from donors like you is vital to Mickaboo’s mission of providing care and services to birds like Rikki Tikki Tavi who need our help. Please consider donating to Mickaboo today - your gift will go further because of the match! 

Links:

• See our rescue flock
• How to adopt from or foster a bird with Mickaboo
• Resources for companion bird owners

Parrots live long lives - as long as 60 years in some cases.  That long lifespan, when spent with humans, means a companion bird can experience several occasions where the bird's life can be disrupted and become in need of rescue.  The following is a story of one such bird.

Kia is a girl’s name of African origin that means mountain or hill. Kia can also mean “Season’s beginning.” Both meanings describe Kia the Senegal parrot, now in Mickaboo’s care. She is a 30-year-old lady who has climbed many mountains in her life, and she’s once again seeking a new season of beginning. 

Kia’s known history began back in 1996, when she was only about two years old. She was found abandoned outside a San Francisco apartment building by a kind gentleman. Fred brought her home and gave her a safe place to live, nurturing her with care and unbounded love. Fred was so moved by his experiences with Kia and his other birds, he sought out opportunities to help more birds in need. He soon became one of Mickaboo’s most treasured volunteers. You can read more about Fred and his contributions to Mickaboo here.

As the years passed, Kia stayed for a while with Fred’s mother in Seattle to provide her companionship. When Fred's mother passed away, Kia returned to Fred’s home in San Francisco. Her toys, sunlit perches, and favorite treats were waiting for her. Fred and Kia resumed their friendship like old pals who’d never been apart. 

Unfortunately, their time together again was too short. Fred passed away in October 2023. His thoughts were always of taking care of his birds, and because Kia was so dear to him, Fred’s family reached out to Mickaboo for help. Kia is now being fostered by another caring Mickaboo volunteer, and is ready to climb that last mountain toward her new beginning with a new permanent home. 

Kia is near the expected lifespan of a Poicephalus parrot (about 30 years). Her personality matches her mellow age, although a bit of her former feisty self can sometimes peek through. She’s healthy, enjoys a good diet, and loves to be stroked along the back of her neck. Something Fred must have done for her a thousand times. 

In her remaining years, Kia is looking for a home full of the warmth, love, and care she’s long enjoyed and deserved. If you are looking to adopt a gentle and appreciative senior companion, Kia could be the bird for you. Please visit Kia’s page on the Mickaboo website and let us know if you are interested or have any questions. 

Mickaboo’s mission is to help all birds in need - birds of all ages, temperaments, and health conditions. Please consider donating to Mickaboo so we can continue to help birds like Kia live out their lives in comfort and dignity, surrounded by love. 

Links:

• How to adopt from or foster a bird with Mickaboo
• See our rescue flock
• Resources for companion bird owners