On the Birdfront

If you have kids you probably know who Flat Stanley is. I don't have children so a visit from Flat Stanley was a fun learning experience for me.

Recently I came across the letters and photos that were taken when Flat Stanley made a visit to The Oasis. I enjoyed re-reading the story so much that I thought it would be fun to share.  Julie Dyson, our Associate Director, corresponded with a student in Connecticut about Flat Stanley's adventure. I'm sharing their correspondence verbatim and the fun pictures that tell the story.

 

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Dear friends of birds,

I am a student in third grade. I read a story called Flat Staney. Staney had adventures while he was flat. This is Stanely. He would like to learn about birds with you. Please send hime back after his adventure is done.

Thank you for helping us.

Sincerely,

(student from Connecticut)

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Dear (Student)

Thank you so much for sending your friend, Flat Stanley, to spend time with us at The Oasis Sanctuary. I think he had a blast. And all except for one minor bird bite, I think he is okay and ready to go on more adventures. I'll try to document his visit for you.

First Flat Stanley arrived at the sanctuary and was introduced to the staff and volunteers who take excellent care of the birds that call The Oasis home each and every day of the year. Most of these birds are here for a reason, as parrots can bite. They also get very loud and are not always the best of pets. The birds of The Oasis are here for the rest of their lives as we do not adopt out or breed. Sometimes larger parrots can live to be 60 to 80 years old. Here is Stanley's arrival.

 

 

 

 

 

Caregiver Nancy captured this series of pictures while Caeser, Blue and Gold Macaw, enjoys his bath. Our wonderful weather calls for a good soaking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Ozzie and all the others...

As written by Sybil Erden, February 26, 2012

Over the past couple of years, all too many of the Oasis "original" birds, older wild-caught birds quite often, or younger captive born birds with genetic problems or problems caused by poor care early in their lives...so many of these birds, birds we have come to know and love, are beginning to leave this earth.

It is hard...I have stopped going to say goodbye, as by now I would rather remember them as they were, when I first met them and they were younger and healthy...it is just so hard.

Ozzie joined the Oasis back in 1998 or '99 when The Oasis was still being run out of my home in Phoenix.

A wildlife rehabber called one morning. Some children had brought her an injured bird, hit by a car, who had been found lying in the street. But this was not normal Arizona wildlife...this was a large, frightened Moluccan Cockatoo, who had obviously gotten loose from someone's home or aviary. The rehabber immediately rushed the bird to her veterinarian, who, unfortunately, had to amputate the suffering bird's shattered wing. She ran ads trying to find the previous caregiver during the pink boy's recuperation, but no one ever contacted her looking for their free-flying bird. Now, weeks had gone by, he had healed and was ready to leave her home. She called The Oasis.

One of our volunteers picked up the bird on her way home and named the bird Ozzie after Ozzie Osborne, one of her favorite musicians. Ozzie, who had been found to be wild-caught due to his "open" quarantine band, stayed at her home for a week or two, getting used to being around people. Finally the one-winged bird was brought to the sanctuary where he began making friends with other male wild-caught Cockatoos.

Ozzie never became terribly human-friendly, although like many of the birds here, he did have his human favorites. Over time, Ozzie made friends, had relationships, found joy in this life, a life limited by captivity.

This loss, this passing of the first generation of Oasis birds...from Sassy, to Pong Yo, Friday, Phillipe and Priscilla, and now Ozzie...it is the sadness of Rescue. But knowing our time with those we love is always limited...it is also the incredibly powerful pull to do what we do.

It is why we in Rescue, we at The Oasis, and all the others out there, working with birds, with horses, with cats and dogs...make sure that we do all we can, to do the very best we can, while we can, for them.

 

 

This month is known as a time to express our love. It is said that we receive the deepest and most unconditional love from our pets. We feel this with the birds at the sanctuary as well.

Animal Caregiver, Nancy Stephens has created another great video to share some of the "love birds" at The Oasis. From each of us, and all of the birds we hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day.

 

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Dizzy, an Oasis bird guardian dog, celebrated her birthday this week. Joe and Julie brought her a new toy to celebrate the day. We have five guardian dogs that work hard protecting the birds and other animals when the staff have all gone home for the day. They deserve to be spoiled with treats and toys.

Dizzy with her birthday toy

Also, this week we had the opportunity to observe Sampson, Alex and Nikko’s flying abilities. These three male Umbrella Cockatoos have lived next to each other in outdoor cages for some time and our hope is to move them into the King Aviary (male Cockatoo aviary) within the next week. With many of the birds we are never quite sure what flight skills we will see. In order to ensure they are safe in an aviary we want them to at least be able to get themselves gently to the ground.

We brought the three boys into a small flight to give them a chance to show us what they’ve got.  Sampson and Alex demonstrated short flights and landed gently on the ground. Overall they did well.

To our delight Nikko showed us more…

Joe gives Nikko a launch for a short flight to the stand.

Nikko in flight...Beautiful!

Next step, introducing them to their new flock. I’ll keep you updated on their transition into aviary life.

 

Carmen

Carmen recently joined our flock of Peach-faced Lovebirds. Carmen is six years old and when she arrived at another rescue the first part of the year it was obvious that she preferred to have nothing to do with her human caregivers. In her previous situation she was cage bound, a plucker and a chronic egg layer.  Apparently as a chick she had an injury to one leg which left the foot useless. This picture shows sweet Carmen in a weakened state when she arrived at the rescue.

Many of you know the work of photographer Jerry Buley. Over the years Jerry has spent many hours taking pictures of Oasis birds. He has graciously donated his time and his art to support the sanctuary. You have seen his work in our annual calendar and his art has been presented as auction pieces for our twice yearly silent auction. As a caregiver to Shanti, a female African Grey, Jerry recognizes an opportunity to capture a special moment when photographing the birds.

Sampson listens

Thank you for taking the time to visit our new blog. On the Birdfront will be a place for us to share the day to day happenings at The Oasis Sanctuary.