Cooper is on her soapbox to spread awareness about National Bird Day. She hopes that bird lovers everywhere will celebrate their feathered friends by helping and/or learning about bird welfare and conservation. Cooper’s wish is that one day no bird species will be endangered or caged, and that all birds will fly free. Or waddle free (penguins). Or run free (ostriches). Well, you get the idea.
You can learn more about National Bird Day and ways you can be involved here.
Pet Info Club
Sherlock and Watson on Rebloggy
Honest-Style on DeviantArt
Dragon-Sphere on DeviantArt
lvrsparrots
Steve the Bird (Monica A)
We visited the birds at the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary today. They were having a holiday toy workshop where you could make toys for the birds.
Timmy
Luna
Braidy (with pinnies)
Red
Ozzie
Midori (sponsored by Kelle and John) playing peek-a-boo.
Blizzard
Echo is new to Free Flight.
Not sure who this is – Casper maybe? They have so many cockatoos.
There are also a few African Greys.
And macaws.
*These were taken with Harry’s cell phone. Can’t wait until the camera is back from the shop!
Here are Ozzie and Midori in action. Midori was singing, but was shy when the camera was on.
The Perch is a parrot cafe in Colorado Springs. At The Perch (a partner of the Metro Denver Parrot Rescue), you can have a cup of coffee and hang out with the rescue birds. The birds are available for adoption, and the cafe is a great way for people to learn about the birds and bond with them. It takes two to four weeks to adopt a parrot, including an online course and a home inspection.
photo: Rocky Mountain Food Report
The cafe also sells birds supplies and toys and holds special classes (how to make a seagrass mat for your bird, etc.) and events. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by!
photo: CritterFiles
You can find out more about The Perch here.
Smokey the African grey parrot plays fetch with her human.
We have passes to the zoo. And are finally using them! The San Diego Zoo has some awesome aviaries. 
The Scripps Aviary and the Owens Aviary are the big ones. 
So many types of birds to see.
Not many parrots – but we did see a female eclectus and and African grey.
The zoo also has lots of smaller aviaries throughout. 
We didn’t see any budgies yet, but we haven’t been to all the exhibits. Maybe next time…
Sleepy Flamingos.
Posing Peacock.
Mama duck and her ducklings. Is there anything more adorable than a duckling? Other than a budgie, that is?
“Are you my mother?” This little one came right up to Harry’s shoe.
Sadly, many species of birds are endangered. Too many to feature on today’s post, so Cooper decided to pick one to spotlight: the kākāpō.
The kākāpō lives in New Zealand and is the world’s only flightless parrot. Cooper thinks it looks like a cross between a budgie and a muppet.
The kākāpō is nocturnal, long living (58 – 90 years) and is very friendly. They are said to have a pleasant, musty scent (though not as pleasant as a budgie, I’ll bet). The bird was almost wiped out by colonization and through the introduction of predators to its habitat.
There are fewer than 150 kākāpō today. The Kākāpō Recovery Program is comprised of scientists, rangers and volunteers who look after the remaining birds and help them to survive and thrive.
Find out more about the fascinating kākāpō and the Kākāpō Recovery Program here. You can view the chicks (if you happen to be in the area), donate or even adopt (sponsor) one of the birds. Cooper hopes these gentle, friendly birds will make a comeback and one day be off the endangered species list.
Today we went to Free Flight and had Brunch with the Birds.
We fell in love with Duchess. She’s new to the sanctuary. Here she is asking for scritches.
Duchess showing off.
We also fell in love with Brady. He’s new, too. And is very pinny.
Here’s Baby Bird. He is sponsored by Jan, and is quite the little character.
Everyone wants to step up. 
Here’s our friend Timmy.
And another Eclectus, Cooper. What a great name!
Peanut is a darling. I wish I knew how to knit – I’d make her a little sweater.
This little cockatoo is sitting pretty.
If you would like to read more about the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary, you can do so at their website or on facebook.
There is sad news in the budgie world. Nubs, the little one-footed budgie, has passed away. Nubs, who overcame a sad beginning, was adopted and went on to help found The House of Nubs organization. With his human and animal friends, he worked hard to teach children who have been through trauma, hope and resilience. He also campaigned for animal adoption. Nubs has encouraged and inspired many and will be much missed. His legacy lives on though The House of Nubs. You can learn more about the organization here or on facebook.