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. )
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