AFRICAN GREY PARROTS
According to scientists and bird enthusiasts, the African Grey Parrot is largely considered one of the most intelligent animals kept as pets in captivity. Significant and popular research conducted for decades on the intellectual capabilities of Greys have not only allowed us to recognize them as intelligent, social, sensitive and sentient beings but has also driven the pet trade to market them as "great talkers" and capable of "performing tricks for you" and other such gimmicks. It is important to note that all parrots, including the African Grey, are wild animals - even if born in captivity.
The new African Grey aviary will be more than six times the size of our parakeet and cockatiel aviary built in 2007.
In early 2008 we set many new goals for ourselves including building a 3,600 sq.ft. aviary just for Greys - both the Timneh and the Congo. The aviary will replicate the most natural setting we can provide for them in captivity. Real bird-safe plant and tree life are to be planted including flowering trees and plants, palms, coconuts, bananas and many others. Because the aviary is heated during even the harshest of winters and the polycarbonate panels allow nearly 90% of natural sunlight through, this allows the birds and the plantlife to thrive year-round. The heated section also features intakes and exhausts to allow for fresh air circulation. In the warm months, which is most of the year here in Virginia, they will have access to an attached section of the aviary which is meshed-out to allow the birds to live with the sun on their backs, the fresh wind in their feathers and the ability to take baths in the natural rain. Of course all of this allows the birds to live as a flighted flock with a social network.
The African Grey Sanctuary Aviary may not be for every Grey. While we do offer a Lifetime of Care plan for African Greys, if your bird prefers human interaction over that of birds and you are no longer able to keep your Grey, we may be able to help find a new great home for your bird. We have experience with Greys that have actually been fearful or aggressive to other birds, even Greys, due to what could be a number of things which leads them to not be able to identify with others of their kind - often stemming from the practice of parental deprivation (what the pet trade calls "hand rearing"). These types of birds may not do so well in a social community setting.
We do our best to evaluate each bird we take in and place them into an appropriate situation, whether it be in Sanctuary or into an adoptive home.`
Due to the limited number of accredited Avian Sanctuaries in the United States with the ability to provide a proper lifetime of care to birds that are emotionally scarred by the acts of humans, we are increasingly selective with which birds we take in and more importantly - which birds remain here in Sanctuary. Our focus is to give a second chance to birds from the worst of situations - birds seized from severe abuse and neglect cases and ex-breeders for example - and give them what they never had but deserve. We hope you enjoy reading the many different stories of the birds awaiting our new African Grey Sanctuary Aviary. We also hope that you will be inclined to help us achieve this goal through a contribution to this specific project.
AVIARY FEATURES
Polycarbonate Panels (with up to 90% natural sunlight transmission)
A Sturdy Steel Frame
Stainless Steel Mesh
Vented (safe) Propane Heating - for Wintertime use
Natural Bird-Safe Plants and Trees
A Predator-Proof Perimeter
Size - 30' wide X 12' tall X 120' long
Completion Date Goal: Fall 2008
We will track the progress of this project right here on the website including the names of people, businesses, foundations or groups who have helped (if you wish to be listed). When sending in your contribution, be sure to include a note that you wish for your contribution to go specifically for the Grey Project. All funds for this project are to be set aside specifically for this aviary.
Annual sponsorships of these African Greys are currently available for $200/yr. per bird.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Mailing Address
Project Perry Inc.
P.O. Box 1208
Louisa, VA 23093
Credit Cards
MEET THE BIRDS AND READ THEIR STORIES
On January 26, 2008 we took in 15 breeder birds, now ex-breeder birds. Twelve of them are African Greys - 6 Timnehs and 6 Congos. All but perhaps one or two were wild caught, perhaps decades ago, and have been serving the pet trade ever since being stolen from Africa. All have lived their entire captive lives in unnatural environments with nothing to do but breed and pluck themselves or eachother.
One Congo Grey in particular needed veterinary attention as soon as possible and was brought in to see Dr. Stahl on the morning of January 28th. Not only did this bird (now named Mario) have a marble-sized mass removed from his nares but he also has the start of cataracts and a large cyst on one of his wings. We estimate his age to be perhaps 50, 60 or possibly older. The mass removed from his nares effectively "ate away" the structure of the nares, leaving a permanent gaping hole nearly the size of a dime. The mass most likely began as a blockage many years ago and progressed to its current state given poor air quality and filtration.
Mario on 1/26/08 prior to seeing Dr. Stahl
Mario on 1/28/08 after seeing Dr. Stahl
Dr. Stahl visited the Sanctuary on 2/7/08 to perform physical exams on all 15 of the rescued birds. Special thanks to United Animal Nations for a grant to help pay for the initial medical costs.
The birds in their temporary quarantine accomodations
THE CONGOS
THE TIMNEHS
The rest of the African Greys here awaiting the Community Sanctuary Aviary
Kanji (African for "Desire for Harmony") served as a breeder bird in a NC Bird Mill for at least a couple of decades before being brought to us by the Danville Humane Society. He came to us in the same state of fear as the 12 birds described above on this page. A human couldn't walk into the same room as him without sending him into a flapping and screaming panic. Over the past year, he has learned that people are no longer going to do him harm. He is now very comfortable with people being in the same room as him as long as they do not try to approach him. He currently lives with Gary. Gary taught Kanji how to play with toys, vocalize naturally (not that terrible Grey growl/scream) and how to fly and explore his surroundings. We plan to use the "Kanji Model of Rehabilitation" on the 12 recent breeder birds that arrived here and any future breeder birds that arrive here. That includes positive and careful interactions with people and learned behavior from confident and secure birds already living here. Kanji is clearly a wild-caught bird due to the length of time he served as a breeder. Kanji is sponsored by the Carpenter Family - thank you!
Gary is a 14 year old Congo Grey who lived the first 13 years of his life in a small cage and virtually never let out of it "because he bites". He was rescued in 2007.
This is how Gary arrived the day he was brought here. This was not his travel cage - it was his living cage.
Stoney is an older (maybe as much as 40+ years old) wild-caught Congo Grey. His history includes abuse when he was younger and he has a broken wrist on one of his wings from those days. He is not able to fly due to his old injury. He is most happy when outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Stoney is sponsored by Debbie Kupka of Deptford, New Jersey - Thank You!
Ivan and Grayson have been together for many years and are a bonded pair. Their story can be read HERE. Ivan and Grayson are both sponsored by Debbie Kupka of Deptford, New Jersey - Thank You!
There are currently 18 African Greys here awaiting the new Aviary. We are now building additional temporary outdoor aviaries for them all to live outside when the weather warms up. Our goal is that by the time Fall weather returns, we will have their new heated community aviary completed and ready for move in.
Let's do what it takes to make this a reality for these birds!
Project Updates
2/24/08 - Groundwork Begins
Here are a few more of the contributors to this specific project:
Foundation Support
Gina Sanders
Ann & Edward Williams
Robert Yates
James Horner
Bob & Linda Parker
Bob & Nancy Smith
Jennifer Smith
Jean Pruden
Gene Spencer
THANK YOU!!!
3/5/08 - the area is ready for the aviary
3/14/08 - 8'X8'X8' steel aviaries are being built to house the Greys temporarily until their community aviary is ready for move-in this Fall. Pictured are two of them - we are building a total of 7 of these.
5/31/08 - All finished with 20 African Greys living in them and waiting for the permanent African Grey Aviary.
The week of July 21st, 2008: Construction of the aviary structure begins. The aviary is a total length of 120 feet and the width is 30 feet, giving a total of 3,600 sq.ft.
To help save these Greys' wild relatives, check out:
September 1, 2008: The aviary has come so far but there's still an incredible amount of work to be done. Our focus right now is to finish the heated half of the aviary in time for Winter. In the picture, the heated winter section is the left half of the structure (50ft.). The warm weather section is the 70ft. on the right. The warm weather section will be covered in stainless steel mesh. Cut trees in addition to live flora such as banana trees, fig trees, palm trees and even a guava tree will help create more of a natural environment for the residents. With several more weeks of hard work, the heated section will be ready for move-in!
October 2008 - ALL MOVED IN! The heated winter section of the aviary is completed and 18 of the residents are moved in and doing well. Now our efforts turn to completing the other half of the aviary so it will be ready by the warm springtime. We are still in need of about $8,000 worth of stainless steel mesh to affix to the frame. If you would like to help with this cause, please consider sponsoring one of the African Grey residents.
November 2008
WATCH the new African Grey Slideshow!
February 2009
Outside - a winter wonderland
Inside - tropical warmth
This winter we have been hard at work affixing the stainless steel mesh to the attached warm-weather (spring - fall) section. We are pleased to be right on schedule to begin landscaping their environment in March. At this rate, the Greys will have access to it by April.
The costs associated with the purchasing of mesh has been incredible. We chose to use stainless steel for its safety and longevity. At approximately $750 per roll, it has used a total of about 10 rolls to complete!
Stay tuned for another update...
APRIL 2009 - AVIARY COMPLETED!!!
Complete with a rain-making system for those warmer days
Uchi exploring and nibbling the bark from vines
