We visited the Free Flight Bird Sanctuary on Saturday. Here are just some of their beautiful birds (most of whom only wanted to be photographed from their right side).
African Grey
Yellow Naped Amazon
Cockatoo
Macaws
If you’re considering adding a big (or tiny) bird to your family, please adopt! There are so many wonderful birds out there who need loving homes.
Last Sunday we attended the Free Flight Bird Sanctuary holiday sale. It’s always nice to visit with the birds.
Eclectus parrot – male,
and female.
A very friendly Sulfur Crested Cockatoo.
A case of feather plucking. 
I wish that birds were not kept as pets. In a perfect world…
These sun conures were adorable.
Another case of feather plucking. In the cage next door was this bird’s mirror image. It’s heartbreaking to see. I’m glad that these birds found their way to Free Flight. I hope that they will be adopted by someone who will give them the love and care they deserve.
Blue and Gold and Scarlet Macaws.
Enjoying a walnut.
Goffin cockatoo – Let me out!
White Bellied Caique.
African Grey.
Mexican Red-headed Amazon.
Yellow-crowned Amazon. Wouldn’t it be lovely if he/she were flying free?
I fell in love with the cockatiels. Wanted to take this one home…
Some weird looking birds…
I always walk away from Free Flight with mixed feelings. I’m glad a refuge like this exists. I hate to think of where these beautiful birds would end up without it. Taking care of a bird is quite an undertaking and ownership should not be taken lightly. Birds need love and attention, exercise and entertainment. They should not be stuck alone in a cage all day with no companionship or toys to play with. I hope that anyone who would like a bird as a pet first considers adopting an abandoned bird in need of a loving home.
My budgies bring me great joy. And I know there are many devoted bird owners out there. People who love, spoil and cherish their birds. But I would rather there be no pet stores or breeding at all if it would cease the mistreatment and neglect of these wonderful, intelligent creatures.
What do you think? 
Today we went to the Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary‘s holiday toy drive.
(Abby)
We bought a toy for one of the resident birds (don’t tell Cooper) and became members.
I had a great time drinking hot chocolate and petting the birds. These three were very friendly.
(Ellie)
Last night Harry and I attended the Free Flight Tropical Sunset Fundraiser. Free Flight is an exotic bird sanctuary in Del Mar. You can read more about them on the Free Flight website. We had a lot fun – they had a bar, delicious food, a silent auction and a great band.
A Blue and Gold Macaw greeted the guests.
Harry with a Hyacinth Macaw. She was very sweet. I got to feed her some grapes, a carrot and some banana.
Here I am with an Eclectus parrot (males are green and females are red).
Here is Harry with a cockatoo on a visit we made a week ago.
This parrot let me scritch its pin feathers – much bigger than a budgie’s!
Here’s a little video of some of the birds: a Moluccan Cockatoo, a pair of Mexican Red- headed Amazons and a Gold and Yellow Macaw.