parrots

When you visit with Paula Ashfield it doesn’t take long to realize that she’s a virtual encyclopedia of information about exotic birds. Her passion for them and determination to see that every bird lives a long and happy life led to the creation of a sanctuary called Under My Wing Avian Refuge.

The organization which is located in New Jersey opened its doors in 2005 with 37 rescued exotic birds. That soon multiplied to 64 birds and before the first year ended, Under My Wing was home to more than 100 Parrots, Cockatoos, Love Birds and other feathered companions.

Ashfield and her small group of volunteers work seven days a week rehabilitating the birds at the sanctuary and working with the local SPCA investigating cruelty cases.

Ashfield says, “There is a hidden crisis of cruelty to exotic birds. People don’t understand their needs and once they are overwhelmed by the situation it’s easy to tuck a bird away in a basement or closet and forget about them.”

One abuse investigation led Ashfield to just such a situation. A family that could not handle the behaviors of their two African grey parrots locked them away in a dark closet for more than a year. The birds, who Ashfield calls Light and Dark, remained in an unlit closet 24 hours a day, receiving limited amounts of food from their owners.

When the SPCA called Ashfield in for her evaluation, she found the two birds huddled together. They were underweight, undernourished and had pulled out all of their feathers due to the stress. Ashfield took custody of Light and Dark. Now one year later, the two parrots are back to their normal weight and have started growing new feathers, but because of their abuse Ashfield doesn’t think they will be able to live with another family.

Ashfield offers many tips for people who are considering the adoption of an exotic bird. This education process is a big part of her focus at Under My Wing.

* Exotic birds are expensive to own, with costs running $4,000 – $7,000 a year.
* A typical wellness exam runs approximately $600.
* Exotic birds are not pets. They are very social creatures and crave to be a companion to their humans.
* Guardians of exotic birds should be prepared for their wild behaviors, such as biting and screaming.
* Birds in good health can live 30 – 40 years and some species live up to 70 years.
* Exotic birds need lots and lots of space. For example, Macaw’s should live in a minimum of a 6’x6’ area so they can spread out their wings.

Under My Wing Avian Refuge rescues birds from many different situations, but lately more of the birds are orphaned because of home foreclosures. True to her compassionate nature, Ashfield has begun offering temporary shelter to these birds. She hopes to reunite the families when they are back on their feet again.

Because of this, costs have risen at the sanctuary and Under My Wing is desperately seeking donations to pay for food, medical care and housing for these additional “foster” birds.

Ashfield puts it this way, “To the many bird owners who do not intend to let go of a dear companion bird and wish to give him/her the best they can, relinquishing their bird to our sanctuary comforts them in knowing their bird is safe and they can remain a part of their life.”

Please visit the Under My Wing Avian Refuge website to see a complete list of items needed for the sanctuary.