Save Companion Parrots through Rescue & Education

Dear PEAC Members and Supporters,

Every day, we realize how fortunate we are to have grown such a dedicated flock of partners, supporters, and friends who share our dedication to parrots and ensuring they are loved and cared for during the entirety of their lives.

It's time to celebrate your wins and see the big difference you are making in our parrots' lives. Enjoy your success stories and enclosed pictures!

In 2024, we were able to successfully adopt 9 of our foster birds (pictured throughout this newsletter,) and halfway through 2025, we’ve already adopted 8 additional parrots! (We promise to share those stories soon!)  Several of our adoptive families found us because of direct referrals from you! Please keep spreading the word about PEAC because it's working!

Meet the parrots whose lives you changed in 2024:

Avocado was a Patagonian Conure who was found in 2022 as a young bird with a broken wing.  He fell in love with his caregiver who loved him right back, but as circumstances changed, they needed to find him another home. We were able to introduce Avocado to Ashley whom he immediately decided would be his new home - and she agreed! The adoption committee couldn’t stop talking about what a great application she had, covering all husbandry topics and information so thoroughly. We are so glad they found each other!

Charlie a Yellow-naped Amazon was a bit of a challenge and he met numerous families over his four years with PEAC, before finding just the right fit. As an older bird, he received continued medical care for his arthritis, weight, and cardiac health, all of which improved with a good diet of veggies, pellets, some sweet berries, regular vet visits, and foster TLC. He originally came from a shelter, so we didn’t know much about his history, only that he couldn’t grip well with his feet. Over time, Charlie transformed from “a scared bird in a cardboard box” to hanging upside down, actively playing with toys, and talking back and forth with his foster. Thrilled is a bit of an understatement when we saw him finally connect with David and Kristine who were excited to be part of his world. 

Blondie a 26-year-old Sulfur-crested Cockatoo was a hit at several adoption events hosted by San Diego Animal Support Foundation at Grossmont Center and loved showing off for everyone with his vocabulary and (of course) flashing crest up and down. His dancing was a big thrill for the kids and adults who would “ooh and aww!” In the end, Blondie decided Stanley was going to be his next family, and shortly after going home with him, we received updates about the joy they were bringing to each other’s lives. 

Mango was a female Sun Conure that just hatched in 2023. Unfortunately, her military family had an unexpected deployment, and they felt it best to find a good home that could give her the attention she needed. Diana, Max, and their family were all excited to bring Mango into their home once they met. They even tossed their nonstick cookware to make sure their home would be safe for her. We know she is keeping them on her toes with her silly antics only a Sun Conure could come up with and their love for her was pretty evident from visit # 1. We recently got updates about some new tricks she’s been working on! Our fosters love staying in touch with their former adoptees and answering any questions or concerns that might pop up down the road.

Jordie was a young (less than 2 years old,) Lilac-crowned Amazon. She took immediately to her new foster home and figured out how to forage very quickly. “ABC” was her motto (“Always Be Chewing!”) She told her foster parent what she wanted by whistling and melodious vocalizations and they described her as a “social butterfly.” Gloria and Andrew believed she was the bird for them and Jordie agreed - answering the calls they made and following them around her cage during their first visit. After 2 more visits and a home check, she was on her way to living the spoiled life she deserved in their loving home. Big smiles all around!

Squirt an 11-year-old White-bellied Caique was very much loved by his former owner, but they developed some health challenges that required him to be re-homed. Whenever we receive a Caique, we receive a lot of interest from potential adopters for this species. Squirt met with several interested families. We always spend time discussing the characteristics of each species, where they are from, and our impressions (and as much history as we know,) of that individual. And although Squirt was friendly and curious with just about everyone, he really didn’t want to leave Kerri and Chris when they had to go, and he took right to their older daughter Charlie when she joined them on a subsequent visit. Once home, they updated us with a video of him singing to his feet and making himself right at home. The resilience of parrots and their ability to find happiness again always amazes me.

Obie was a female Green Cheek Conure (cinnamon mutation,) about 17 years old and she came to us in 2023 from a busy household. Her owners really tried to work with her, but it was very time-consuming for them (and we all know how challenging it is to balance family, work, and parrot life!) Obie was a little hand-shy and starting to pluck her chest and shoulders just a little bit, so we worked very hard with our veterinary team. They found and ended up surgically removing  a large impaction from her preen gland, (the length of a dime!) and she also received antibiotics for an infection (not connected to the preen gland.) She loved snuggling and hiding behind a soft toy and with patience she was willing to step up on a handheld perch. She loved spending some time everyday sunbathing in her outdoor aviary. As Obie continued to blossom and slowly step up on hands more, Doraine and Kevin met and fell in love with her, and she was happy to let them scritch her head and fuss over her. It was a great match and the beginning of a new chapter in Obie’s life. 

Zazu was a 5-year-old White-bellied Caique whose military family had to relinquish him due to an overseas transfer. They loved and cared for him so well and just wanted to make sure he found a new family that knew how to care for him and adore him. Zazu immediately made himself comfortable in his new foster home by leaf bathing on everyone’s head and shoulder. Caiques! If they had a motto, it would probably be “ABHS” (“Always be hair surfing!”) And perhaps it was the possibilities in Caroline’s long wavy locks that made Zazu particularly interested in her..? Caroline and Robert really hit it off with Zazu and Zazu decided that they were the family for him. 

Julio was a 37-year-old male Red-lored Amazon who came to us in 2023 with several health issues including a notched and cracked lower mandible that seemed to be causing a sore on his inner upper mandible. Additionally, there was concern about a heart arrhythmia and a sore on one of his feet that required some long-term treatment and soaks. Luckily his foster rose to his rehabilitation challenge with incredibly healthy veggie chops supplementing his pellets and continued encouragement and training on foraging, flapping, and healthy exercise. Julio received the medical care he needed for his bill and feet and follow-up on his cardiac health and….all of this led to him being the luckiest parrot who was adopted by his foster, Rhonda! Julio even came out to our most recent June SDASF Adoption event at Grossmont Center with Rhonda and entertained everyone with his vocalizations! He was so happy and calm, it was awe-inspiring to see them together, doing what they do best: educating the public about companion parrots, their care, and the challenges and rewards of sharing your life with one. My favorite part was watching everyone’s faces when they learned how old Julio was - usually older than most of the people who approached our booth! What a good team these two make. 


Because you’ve been cheering us on and generously supporting PEAC, you are the heroes who stepped up to help these birds when they needed help the most.

Please know we are incredibly grateful for your belief in the importance of this work and your continued support. 

PS: Stay tuned to our social media for continued updates about our adoptees and all the news about upcoming events! We are on Facebook (link) and Instagram (link).

PPS: Are you feeling inspired or are looking for a new companion? Check out our website at PEAC.org for information about birds available for adoption or to volunteer!

With Gratitude,

Kelly Flynn, President
Parrot Education and Adoption Center

Links:

• Find ALL of PEAC's Links to News, Parrots and More at Linktree!