Bee & Gayla's day at TGF...w/lots of pics!

[gayla]

We had a great time. What a wonderful facility. They currently have around 350 birds. I'd say maybe 60% are TOO's. Bee counted at least 4 aviaries full of TOO's. They were adorable! Lots of talkers. "I'm a good bird" "I'm a pretty bird" "mamma" "wanna play" It made us wonder....they learned these things from someone....at what point did thier humans stop caring? It made us smile, made us laugh, & broke our hearts. Quite a few naked baby's. Some on the road to recovery.

I now know were the money goes. They have several seperate rooms with around 10 inside cages in each room, that have doors leading out to individual aviaries, for all the birds in that particular room. Huge cages, lots of toys, excellent food, and lots of love. They have seperate air conditioners, seperate air purifiers, and heated floors for winter. They have a quarentine area that we weren't alowed in. A vet area....and I'm proud to say Pita's Doctor LoBonde is the vet for TGF.

ARTY....they had Pigeons & Doves (Bee got pics of them for you)

I start volunteering Tuesday. For now it will be once a week. Hopefully in the future they will be able to put me on the payroll, they said they are a bit low on funding at the moment. I will be making birdy toys, preparing food, misting birdies, and anything else they need.

I also got my sponsor bird. He is a Mulacan TOO named Ricky Roo...and he lets you know it too..."Ricky Ricky Ricky ROOOOOO" He is a mutilater, but wears a protective piece on his chest...and he's beautiful. He's in with another M2, with the same problem.

OK, here are pics I took. Bee has pics of Ricky, and the Pigeons & Doves...and a few more that I don't have.

Lets start with the TOO's
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-021-9_009.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-019-8_008.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-009-3_003.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-011-4_004.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-049-23_023.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-027-12_012.jpg

and the beautiful Bee
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-025-11_011.jpg

This little one was running back & forth singing "la la la la laaaaa"
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-017-7_007.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-015-6_006.jpg

[gayla]

TGF Cont.......

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-035-16_016.jpg

Here are some McCaws
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-047-22_022.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-033-15_015.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-037-17_017.jpg


This poor baby was nekked, but he's doing OK
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-045-21_021.jpg

Some assorted baby's.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-041-19_019.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-039-18_018.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-053-25_025.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-051-24_024.jpg

These 2 beauty's, Bulvarian Conures (sp), were inside
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l307/manc_02/425185-R1-007-2_002.jpg

And that was our day....I'm sure Bee will add pics and her experience with you all.

[Tiki]

Wow, I am shocked how many Toos are homeless! Poor babies! At least they have each other for company.

Gayla, those are Queen of Bavaria Conures and beautiful ones too!

It's going to be fun to volunteer and get to play with the birds all day! I wish I could do something like that!

Bee is stunning as always!

[gayla]

Gayla, those are Queen of Bavaria Conures and beautiful ones too!


ooops...I knew it was something like that....LOL

Aren't they called Golden Conures as well?

[Tiki]

Yes they are. I met a few of these beauties in Foz do Iguassu. They seemed to be very alert, playful birds! I wouldn't have minded taking a couple home. I would take those two home if they weren't so far away!! I bet they get adopted soon though, they are gorgeous!

[Valo's Moirana]

Wow, I am shocked how many Toos are homeless! Poor babies!

I agree - I was totally blown away by HOW MANY toos there are..... it was mind-blowing... almost unbelievable

[Valo's Moirana]

It was a great time, as always when Gayla and I head out. I have nothing to add to what she said, as she hit the nail right on the head "It made us smile, made us laugh, & broke our hearts"

I'm a little bit jealous that Gayla has the chance to volunteer. It's a wonderful place, the birds are well cared for and it's gonna be very rewarding! (They'll just love you girlie :hugs:)

So, here's Ms. Gayla with a bunch of too's....
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04074.jpg

Another pic of the nekkid little guy
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04075.jpg

Two of the lories that were rescued earlier this year from a hording situation - sadly many of these beautiful birds didn't make it
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04076.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04077.jpg

The view from the aviaries
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04081.jpg

[Valo's Moirana]

Two too's with jackets.... the photo of the one further in the back is Ricky Roo
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04084.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04082.jpg

The Bavarian conures having snuggle time
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04093.jpg

Arty - these 2 photos are for you!
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04088.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04087.jpg
They take pigeon rescue as serious as parrots, and they're trying to provide for them as good as possible

And this little girl - well, I'll just post the photo without further comment... this is Peaches. :D
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s289/moirana/TGF%20Aviaries/DSC04089.jpg

[Archive]

Wowwwwwwww!! I'm envious that you get to volunteer at such a wonderful place, Gayla! Good for you! And, yes! Bee is beautiful! Makes me sad to see all those "unwanted" parrots. Especially the Ekkie girl! At least they're at a good place now. I wish the Ekkie girl had other Ekkies to be with, though.

[GINICH]

Super pictures, you two! Looks like you really had a good time! FWCAS also donates to TGF every year but this is the first time I have ever seen any pictures of the place and the birds. Nice to see pics of you too! It is such a shame that people adopt/buy toos without realizing how much work and money is involved with the pleasure of owning one. Once someone told me that adopting a baby too is like getting a 2 yr old for the next 75 yrs. More responsibility than I can handle in my life, at this point. But my heart goes out to them. Next best thing is volunteering and getting to be pals with one! Gayla, your Ricky Roo sounds like he will be fun to get to know.

[Archive]

OMG they are just goregous! Love your new sponser bird ;)

[Tiki]

I just wish people wold stop breeding Cockatoos so these ones would have a chance to get a home.

How is the adoption rate at TGF? Do many birds get new homes?

[Archive]

They look so sweet! I bet it can get mighty loud around there!!!LOL

[gayla]

I just wish people wold stop breeding Cockatoos so these ones would have a chance to get a home.

How is the adoption rate at TGF? Do many birds get new homes?

I'm not exactly sure what the adoption rate is, but I do know that they have an extensive screening process, and long term follow-up. I sometimes think it may not be as common to adopt a parrot (except for people like us), after all alot were given up due to the amount of work and commitment involved. Not to mention the lack of education. I don't know the %, but not all the birds are available for adoption. Some will have a forever home at TGF.

I even am going to have to take a class for just volunteering. They don't mess around there. They know what kind of homes these baby's came from, and the last thing they want is to put them into another bad situation. They visit the adoptive homes often after the adoption, to make sure the baby is fitting in with the family, and everything is as it should be for a fid & the flock.

Bee & I discussed this as well. We wondered if they aren't better off staying there, because they are cared for so well. Even we said we weren't prepared to take on say a TOO....not that I wouldn't love one, they have become my new dream bird, but if I can't provide everything it needs, then I think it's better & happier at TGF.

We watched a video before the tour, and there was an Amazon that had been at TGF for around 3 years, He was turned over due to, dang I forgot the name, but it's a virus that causes ulcers, and he had many vet visists. He was adopted by a wonderful family, a mother & son, who after months of visits, and screening were deemed worthy as a forever home. According to the video he is living happily ever after.

[gayla]

They look so sweet! I bet it can get mighty loud around there!!!LOL


Yes....LOL....when we first walked outside, the TOO's really got going.....it made us laugh. Imagine around 50 TOO's all calling at the same time....with the occasional "Hello" "Hi" thrown in. TOO funny....lol

[Eliza]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful photos, ladies!

I'm so glad that you are near enough to TGF to not only visit but volunteer as well!

I wish you well with that :)

[Doubleyolk]

Great photos ladies and thanks for sharing. I got some great ideas for outside flights from them. I agree with Tara and the breeding of Cockatoo's. I have a rehome Cockatoo and they aren't easy parrots to care for.

[mizbirdy]

Great photos guys! That's one of the places I would love to visit!