World Parrot Refuge - Coombs BC

British Columbia has a lot of wildlife and we've been seeing it along our travels so far: deer, bear, all types of marine life and bird life. We didn't expect the bird life to include parrots, but, on a trip to the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, BC, we saw hundreds of them, up close and in some cases, very personal!

The World Parrot Refuge is unfortunately located at the end of an extremely tacky strip of tourist traps in Coombs, BC. We avoid places like this like the plague and especially if it involves animals used to make a profit. We'd read that it was a sanctuary for abandoned pet birds and their mandate posted outside the entrance seemed to support this. In addition to a reasonable entrance fee, there is a thrift shop on the premises to help raise money. The place looked very down at the heels as well, so, not the usual tourist trap for sure.

We went in, not knowing what to expect. Immediately on entering, it was a shock. The noise and the smell took us aback. There were about 800! parrots all screeching and many squawking 'hello' at us. Earplugs are provided.

The birds are housed in three large 'rooms', where they are free-flying and allowed to form territorial flocks. Many perches and toys are provided. The rooms have chain link across the front to keep parrots and people apart, but, there is a room where you can interact with many of the 'friendlier' birds, more on that later. There are windows and the rooms are well-lit, but, the birds live under fluorescent lights with concrete floors underfoot and it was a very sad sight to see such magnificent creatures living like this. Apparently, forty-five or so new birds arrive every month. They are all former pets that people have surrendered to the facility once they realize that parrots do not make good pets. Birds that are isolated and kept by themselves in houses often develop psychological problems manifested mostly by feather plucking and behavioural issues. This fellow is an example. Most of the breast feathers are missing and he just sat and trembled on his perch. The surrendered birds obviously cannot be returned to the wild as most were bred in captivity. The wild caught birds often have one wing purposefully broken during their capture to prevent escape.

Some of the other birds seemed more well-adjusted like these beauties...

There were many cheeky birds....

Going into the free flight room there were many warnings to remove shiny things from your person and to expect a few bites. They weren't kidding. One cockatoo that had 'man' problems (probably abused by a man) continually went after G's Achilles tendon with a very sharp beak. I'm not sure how the parrots can tell men and women apart, but, I was completely untouched by the cockatoo ankle-biter. A huge, blue, Hyacinth macaw loved trying to pluck the few remaining hairs on G's head! I ended up with about five smaller birds on me and they were very curious and quite aggressive. I felt like I was in a Hitchcock movie. They went after my glasses and the clips on my purse. They were very intrigued with my shirt and managed to chew off and drop to the floor five buttons and introduce two holes. When I tried to dislodge the birds, I got a sharp nip and the keeper came to my rescue.

No, parrots definitely do NOT make good pets. However, you can't help but be moved by the plight of these birds and we felt compelled to make a donation to their cause. See their website at:
http://worldparrotrefuge.org/

or their Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/World-Parrot-Refuge-355357451219652/

P.S.: The day after writing this post it was on the CBC news that the World Parrot Refuge might now face an uncertain future. The original founder, Wendy Huntbatch, has recently died and the birds may be evicted if the “For the Love Of Parrots Refuge Society” (FLOPRS) board cannot come to an agreement with the new property owner.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-island-parrot-refuge-faces-uncertain-future-1.3586839

P.P.S.: June 24, 2016
The World Parrot Refuge closed its doors a few weeks ago. Since then, a huge parrot rescue mission has been launched. After the Refuge folded, a group of volunteers formed WPR Community Support Central as a place to coordinate news, fundraising, adoption  and rescue efforts. See their Facebook Page for updates on this ongoing drama at https://www.facebook.com/WPRSupport/?fref=ts

Primary players in the rescue are the Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary http://greyhaven.bc.ca/ and Vancouver's Night Owl Bird Hospital http://www.nightowlbirdhospital.ca/. Donations to these two organizations are greatly needed to cover food, medical and vet costs. Unfortunately, the birds will no longer be kept together in flocks, but, will be adopted out individually. A sad end to what was a noble, but, probably unrealistic ideal, given the costs involved, of keeping the birds together.

Donations can be made at:
https://www.youcaring.com/greyhaven-exotic-bird-sanctuary-night-owl-bird-hospital-581879#.V1brQSH_i00.facebook