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Birds have new sanctuary
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| Construction of the new aquatic center (above) will begin after the existing pool is demolished. Demolition should begin in a couple of weeks. |
By Celia Malm/Gate City Correspondent
She's been a fan of the birds for a long time and got her first macaw (the biggest species of parrot) in 1996.
But it wasn't until after she adopted two macaws from Iowa Parrot Rescue in Letts that she started considering the possibility of opening a rescue center herself.
In 2006, while browsing online for parrot sites, Ann Wykowski stumbled across the Web site of Iowa Parrot Rescue and fell in love with a blue and gold parrot named Boba Fett (known as Bob). Bob had been given up because he started attacking his owner and her children.
The woman had owned Bob for 11 years, but when she got married, the parrot ended up bonding with her husband and wouldn't tolerate anyone else.
Mike Oso of Iowa Parrot Rescue thought Bob would be happiest with a single male owner, but Wykowski wanted to meet him anyway.
Bob took to her and her family instantly. The moment she walked in the door, he said, “I love you.” When her husband got the same greeting, Oso agreed that Bob had a new family.
Wykowski adopted a second parrot, Pirate, from Iowa Parrot Rescue. He took to her in a similar fashion.
At that point, Oso encouraged her to consider opening a shelter of her own.
Wykowski's family had moved to Keokuk from Texas in 2005. Their new home turned out to have a spacious sunroom that was excellent for birds, in part because it has a separate heating and ventilation system from the rest of the house. This allows Wykowski to keep new or ill birds completely quarantined from the rest of the flock.
It was the perfect location for her shelter. South East Iowa Parrot Rescue officially opened on June 3. Wykowski's daughter, Serena, works with her in caring for the birds.
Several local businesses have assisted the shelter. Tri-State Sheet Metal has repaired bird cages at no charge, and Fastenal recently donated metal parts for making bird toys.
Sherry Kay of Keokuk Pet Center has been especially helpful in numerous ways, said Wykowski. The sales of a new, special selection of bird toys, soon to be available at the store, will go to benefit the rescue operation.
Sponsors are still needed, and donations to South East Iowa Parrot Rescue are always appreciated. One current need is for a small freezer for storing bird seed. Seed should be frozen before use, said Wykowski, in order to kill parasites that could sicken the birds.
Wykowski also would like to enlist the help of local teachers. Parrots are easily bored and always need more toys, and Wykowski can provide supplies for a craft project for students to create bird toys in the classroom. Wykowski also can bring her parrots into the classroom for a presentation on these birds, many of which are now endangered in the wild.
In addition to the large, colorful birds most people think of as parrots, smaller species like cockatiels and budgerigars (commonly called parakeets) also are classed as parrots. All can find shelter at SEIPR if their owners can no longer care for them or manage them.
SEIPR has 15 birds, eight of which are available for adoption. These include four juvenile cockatiels, a bonded pair of adult cockatiels, and a bonded pair of adult parakeets.
To adopt a rescued bird, Wykowski recommends looking first at the Web site: seipr.angelfire.com.
“A bird is a commitment,”she said. This is especially true with macaws, which can live to be 80 years old.
Parrots are more challenging pets than cats or dogs. They have the intelligence of a 2- or 3-year-old child and need constant social and mental stimulation.
Parrots can learn to speak, but it can take time and effort to teach them.
Rescued birds are sometimes stressed-out birds, due to the circumstances that brought them to the shelter. Parrots who are overly stressed or bored will sometimes self-mutilate by plucking themselves bare, leaving them looking a little ragged.
Wykowski emphasized that owners should never forget that parrots are not really domesticated animals. They remain “wild,” even if bred for generations in captivity.
Potential owners can fill out an adoption form, available on the Web site, and Wykowski will meet with them by appointment. Placement of rescued parrots is usually not a quick process, since a good match between bird and owner is necessary.
Wykowski urges beginning bird owners to start with the smaller species, such as parakeets. She won't place large birds with inexperienced owners.
Like most rescue operations, SEIPR does not ship birds by mail and usually does not place them with smokers or owners who intend to breed birds.
In spite of all the challenges that come with parrots - and especially with running the rescue operation - Wykowski loves her birds.
“I adore hearing them sing in the morning,” she said.
For information about surrendering or adopting birds, sponsoring SEIPR, giving donations or arranging presentations, contact Wykowski at 319-670-0067.
But it wasn't until after she adopted two macaws from Iowa Parrot Rescue in Letts that she started considering the possibility of opening a rescue center herself.
In 2006, while browsing online for parrot sites, Ann Wykowski stumbled across the Web site of Iowa Parrot Rescue and fell in love with a blue and gold parrot named Boba Fett (known as Bob). Bob had been given up because he started attacking his owner and her children.
The woman had owned Bob for 11 years, but when she got married, the parrot ended up bonding with her husband and wouldn't tolerate anyone else.
Mike Oso of Iowa Parrot Rescue thought Bob would be happiest with a single male owner, but Wykowski wanted to meet him anyway.
Bob took to her and her family instantly. The moment she walked in the door, he said, “I love you.” When her husband got the same greeting, Oso agreed that Bob had a new family.
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At that point, Oso encouraged her to consider opening a shelter of her own.
Wykowski's family had moved to Keokuk from Texas in 2005. Their new home turned out to have a spacious sunroom that was excellent for birds, in part because it has a separate heating and ventilation system from the rest of the house. This allows Wykowski to keep new or ill birds completely quarantined from the rest of the flock.
It was the perfect location for her shelter. South East Iowa Parrot Rescue officially opened on June 3. Wykowski's daughter, Serena, works with her in caring for the birds.
Several local businesses have assisted the shelter. Tri-State Sheet Metal has repaired bird cages at no charge, and Fastenal recently donated metal parts for making bird toys.
Sherry Kay of Keokuk Pet Center has been especially helpful in numerous ways, said Wykowski. The sales of a new, special selection of bird toys, soon to be available at the store, will go to benefit the rescue operation.
Sponsors are still needed, and donations to South East Iowa Parrot Rescue are always appreciated. One current need is for a small freezer for storing bird seed. Seed should be frozen before use, said Wykowski, in order to kill parasites that could sicken the birds.
Wykowski also would like to enlist the help of local teachers. Parrots are easily bored and always need more toys, and Wykowski can provide supplies for a craft project for students to create bird toys in the classroom. Wykowski also can bring her parrots into the classroom for a presentation on these birds, many of which are now endangered in the wild.
In addition to the large, colorful birds most people think of as parrots, smaller species like cockatiels and budgerigars (commonly called parakeets) also are classed as parrots. All can find shelter at SEIPR if their owners can no longer care for them or manage them.
SEIPR has 15 birds, eight of which are available for adoption. These include four juvenile cockatiels, a bonded pair of adult cockatiels, and a bonded pair of adult parakeets.
To adopt a rescued bird, Wykowski recommends looking first at the Web site: seipr.angelfire.com.
“A bird is a commitment,”she said. This is especially true with macaws, which can live to be 80 years old.
Parrots are more challenging pets than cats or dogs. They have the intelligence of a 2- or 3-year-old child and need constant social and mental stimulation.
Parrots can learn to speak, but it can take time and effort to teach them.
Rescued birds are sometimes stressed-out birds, due to the circumstances that brought them to the shelter. Parrots who are overly stressed or bored will sometimes self-mutilate by plucking themselves bare, leaving them looking a little ragged.
Wykowski emphasized that owners should never forget that parrots are not really domesticated animals. They remain “wild,” even if bred for generations in captivity.
Potential owners can fill out an adoption form, available on the Web site, and Wykowski will meet with them by appointment. Placement of rescued parrots is usually not a quick process, since a good match between bird and owner is necessary.
Wykowski urges beginning bird owners to start with the smaller species, such as parakeets. She won't place large birds with inexperienced owners.
Like most rescue operations, SEIPR does not ship birds by mail and usually does not place them with smokers or owners who intend to breed birds.
In spite of all the challenges that come with parrots - and especially with running the rescue operation - Wykowski loves her birds.
“I adore hearing them sing in the morning,” she said.
For information about surrendering or adopting birds, sponsoring SEIPR, giving donations or arranging presentations, contact Wykowski at 319-670-0067.
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Reader Comments
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Sherry Harweger wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:23 PM:
I live in a very small town in Mo. and there are few birds here....domesticated...anyway.. It is so good to know that there are places in the larger cities that are taking care of these wonderful pets. "