They come in one or two at a time, children, adults, men and women.
They have one thing in common; they’re carrying cages with blankets over them as they enter the room.
It’s only when they remove the coverings that the room comes alive with the sounds of chirps, squawks, shrieks and whistles.
The monthly meeting of the Chatham-Kent Parrot Club has come to life.
Vickie Brundritt, president of the 30 member group, says she club is always looking for members but freely admits “owning a parrot isn’t for everyone.”
“It’s a huge commitment,” she said. “Some species can live into their 80’s so when you get one it’s for life.”
Brundritt said the birds are highly intelligent and very social.
“They really need to interact with their owners. They have to be included. Some birds who are ignored actually begin to pluck their feathers.”
Almost all of the club members have at least one “rescue parrot” because owners didn’t know what they were getting into.
“We call it re-homing.” she said. “It takes the bird a while before it will bond with someone new.”
Kelly Rodie and her husband Jason of Windsor have three birds, two Congo African Grays and one Orange Winged Amazon.
“The birds all have different personalities,” Kelly said.
“Jason has had Kongo for 13 years now. He’s about 20 and he’s Jason’s bird. He tolerates me, though,” she said with a laugh.
Rodie said parrot owners “can forget about being a neat freak. They’re birds,” she said. “They can make a mess.”
Brundritt said since the birds aren’t spayed or neutered, they “occasionally get hormonal” and can be squawky at times.
“They’re like people,” she said. “They have moods. They have the emotional age of a two-year-old child but the intelligence of a four to five year old child.”
Jason says Kongo does much more than just “parrot” sounds.
“I can’t even count the number of words he knows,” he said. “Every once in a while he just comes out with something that amazes me.”
Tammy Harris said she was moving once only to hear her bird calling, “Tasha – help, from another room.
“I’d never heard that before,” she said. “I think the bird thought he was being left behind.”
Her seven year old daughter Gracie has a cockatiel named Lily.
“Lily absolutely loves Gracie,” she said.
Brundritt, who has several birds, brought her 16 year old Blue Headed Pionus Charlie to the meeting. After some initial noise, Charlie settled on a perch, contentedly eating grapes and other snacks.
When asked why they own birds, members responded with a one-word answer – “love.”
“The birds grow to love you,” Brundritt said. “Any one who has a parrot will tell you the same thing.”
The club was founded 11 years ago as a way of helping parrot owners learn about their pets and help the birds in general.
“We take our birds to different places, including seniors’ homes and meetings to spread the word,” she said. “Having a parrot is like having a companion.”
Anyone interested in parrot ownership can contact the club at ckparrotclub@hotmail.com.
Very nice article and pictures are grate!
Sorry I was late for the meeting.