Learning About Parrots
AVIVA Climate Day Event
Want to Know How You Can Help?
Who are The Friends of the Aviary?
The Aviary started 99 years ago as a City of Hamilton run facility at Dundurn Castle. Money was set aside to build an attraction at the castle to engage visitors, especially children. Over the years the best practices of parrot care changed, just like the mission of The Aviary. In the 90s, the City tried to stop the program, but a group of bird enthusiasts got together to provide the day to day manpower to care for the birds. The birds accepted became companions that could no longer be cared for by their owners, for reasons like illness, noise level, and lifestyle changes. It wasn't until FOTA and the City cut ties that we were able to operate as a parrot rescue.
What We've Learned
FOTA started our community based Surrender, Foster, and Adoption programs in 2024. Unfortunately we lost the funding and location provided by the City, but we gained full autonomy to accept and care for the birds in our organization. What we didn't know was how great the need for parrot rehoming and rehabilitation in Southern Ontario really is. Since August 2024 we have been asked to take in 550 parrots ranging from Budgies to Macaws into our care.
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We've accepted birds that were left in a dumpster, abandoned in rental properties, and found as strays. We've taken in parrots because they were screaming, biting, and completely unhandleable. And we've welcomed birds whose owners no longer have time to care for them, are seriously ill, or have passed away. With such a small team and limited funds, we unfortunately haven't been able to take in each bird, but we have taken in 44.
We are also prioritizing education to prospective and current parrot owners. Trends we have seen from people wanting to surrender their birds show us that many people do not have the proper knowledge to be successful in sharing their life with a companion parrot. These animals are not domesticated like cats and dogs and are definitely more work than more common pets. Parrots need constant supervision, hours of appropriate attention, and daily enrichment or they can develop natural, but to people often undesirable, behaviours.
Hear Their Stories
Unfortunately most parrots will have 5 homes in their lifetime due to their long lifespans and poor care. We are so proud to have been part of the journey for the feathered friends that come to us. We have seen neglected birds like Lilly the Hahn's Macaw personality shine once she received regular attention, abused birds like Avocado the Green Cheek Conure learn to trust again, and sick birds like Milo the Quaker Parrot fight to get healthy. Although the number of birds we've been able to accept is small, the work is meaningful. 44 birds that didn't end up let go out a window, left in a cage in a dark basement, or sold to the highest bidder. Our goal is to help even more parrots, but we need your help to do it!
All About Parrots
Psittaciformes, commonly known as parrots, are tropical birds broadly grouped into three families Psittacidae (True Parrots), Cacatuidae (Cockatoos), and the less commonly kept Strigopidae (New Zealand Parrots). Birds are classified as parrots if they have curved, strong beaks, blunt tongues, and zygodactyl feet. While most people are familiar with popular species like African Greys and Macaws, there are actually around 387 living parrot species!
Foragers and Impact on Environment
Parrots play an important role in many ecosystems as natural foragers and seed dispersers. As they travel and feed on fruits, nuts, flowers, and seeds, they help spread plant species across forests and grasslands, supporting biodiversity and forest regeneration. Their strong beaks also break open hard fruits and seed pods that other animals cannot access, creating feeding opportunities for smaller wildlife. Healthy parrot populations contribute to balanced ecosystems and help maintain the rich plant life that countless other species depend on.
Climate Change
Climate change is having a growing impact on parrot populations around the world by altering the habitats and food sources they rely on for survival. Rising temperatures, stronger storms, droughts, and wildfires can destroy nesting sites and reduce the availability of native plants, fruits, and seeds. Changes in seasonal weather patterns may also disrupt breeding cycles and migration behaviours in some species. Combined with habitat loss and the illegal pet trade, climate change is placing increasing pressure on many already vulnerable parrot populations.
Make Toys With Us - Climate Month BBQ
Because companion parrots have the same instincts as wild parrots, they know they should be spending over half of their day searching for food. Parrots often search for food by foraging, so we try to replicate a way for them to do this natural behaviour when they are in our homes. The best way to do this is through toys, activities, and diet. These pillars make up enrichment - the practice of providing mentally and physically stimulating stimuli to captive animals to keep them happy and healthy.
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In this activity we will be using recycled cardboard and toilet paper rolls to create a foraging opportunity for our birds!
Step One:
Gather your materials. You will need 2 small cardboard squares with a hole in the middle, 1 toilet paper roll, and 1 piece of paper string or jute cord.
Step Two:
Cut holes in the toilet paper rolls; flatten the roll and make small cuts widthwise with a pair of scissors on both creases. Reshape and turn the roll a quarter turn, flatten and do the cuts again. Reshape back into a roll and curl the triangular cuts outwards to see holes.
Step Three:
Make 3/4 inch cuts upwards from the bottom of the roll all the way around to create flaps (approx 7 cuts total). Fold the flaps inwards, laying one on top of the other all the way around and tucking the last one under the first one to make an almost solid bottom.
Step Four:
Grab a length of string / rope and tie a knot 3/4 of the way down. Feed the shorter end of rope through the small cardboard, then the top of the roll, then the larger cardboard circle. Tie a knot snugly at the bottom.
Step Five:
Make a slip knot / loop with the rope sticking out of the top of the roll, stuff with crinkle paper.
These toys will be offered to our flock with treats like dry fruits, flowers, seeds, and nuts hidden inside to encourage them to work for their snacks like they would in the wild.