Rescue Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Birds

Mickaboo exists to help birds and bird guardians like Gigi and Jeff (see their story).  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 7, 9 pm PT.  

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Here is the story of Jeff, one of many who have learned about parrot rescues like Mickaboo and  become forever-parents for our special birds:

It was still the height of COVID shelter-in-place when I decided to get a parrot. While I was happy to share my wife's Corgi, I wanted a pet of my own. I was originally going to buy a lovebird as I didn't know parrot rescues like Mickaboo even existed. Thankfully, before I found a lovebird for sale, my wife's friend pointed us towards Mickaboo and other rescues.

So many parrots need rescuing! It makes sense: parrots live a long time and they are intelligent, loud, and uppity. I like intelligent, loud, and uppity creatures, but for those who want a cuddly pet that is not going to challenge them, a parrot probably isn't the best fit. Once we were registered with Mickaboo and eligible to adopt, it was on to choose a species. I wanted a bird with a lot of personality, preferably an African Grey. At the time, there were few African Greys with Mickaboo. Imagine my surprise when I was told there was a healthy African Grey parrot named GiGi to be picked up that weekend.

My wife and I had no idea what to expect when we picked up GiGi from her surrenderer.  She was in a tiny cockatiel cage where she had spent the entire ten years of her life. We were told she didn't like to be out of her cage ... she does, she is just phobic as per her species' reputation. We were told she couldn't fly ... she can, but mostly when she panics. GiGi was weighed at 337 grams, much smaller than usual for her species. It is less cute when one realizes her stunted size was probably from a life of malnutrition and lack of exercise. 

I was hoping I would have a bird that liked climbing (she does!). I was worried I would have to get her off a diet of seeds and nuts. I was worried an African Grey would pluck. The reality is, GiGi loves her pellets and her fruit and other than cracking open nuts hasn't found much use for them. She is picture-perfect and does not pluck. One thing I was not prepared for was a cage-bound bird. GiGi is fiercely independent; while this probably helped her cope with ten years in a tiny cage, it does make it harder to build that trust bridge.

Nearly a year later, I still don't feel I know much about bird ownership, at least in the same way that growing up with dogs and cats makes me feel I know them. GiGi still spends most of her time in her cage. She accepts scritches from my wife but only a few from me. She still doesn't step up. But she seems happy, and I love her. I am still learning parrot body language, and she seems so much happier than when we got her. GiGi quickly became part of our family. When we are sad, she is sweet and empathetic. When we laugh, she laughs. It is so joyful to see the childlike wonder when GiGi is playing or talking with us or trying out new sounds. Whether African Greys have the IQ and EQ of a 5-7 year old human I can't assess, but I can certainly say that she is super-smart and feels very deeply. She just wants to be part of the family and have us -- her friends -- around her. I am honored to build a trust bridge with GiGi that will meet in the middle.

Why get a parrot? Gigi screams if we leave the room and she wants us around. She is independent to the point of being stubborn. Owning a parrot is a huge commitment time-wise as well as dealing with a creature closer to crocodiles on the evolutionary ladder than cats and dogs. In the end, I have a tiny fierce friend whose friendship will grow over the years. While GiGi is fierce, more than anything she is kind, sweet, and -- like myself -- just trying to make the best of the world. Mickaboo has been helpful in taking me from someone that never cared for a bird to someone that, most days, kinda thinks that he knows what he's doing. It is a continuing journey to learn how to care for parrots; it is an even more rewarding journey to share a life with this unique and beautiful creature: GiGi. 

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Help Mickaboo continue to support birds like GiGi and their human companions like Jeff. This week, gifts up to $50 will be matched at 50% from now through Friday, April 7, 9 pm PT.  No limit on matching funds! Please give now, while the thought is top of mind. 

All of our volunteers and 450+ bird rescue flock thank you for your help!

Links:

• See our adoptable birds
• Learn how to adopt or foster a bird from Mickaboo
• Register for our upcoming Virtual Adoption Fair