Rickie's Parrot and Exotic Rescue and Sanctuary of South Florida

08/04/2025

Elvis’ journey to a better diet started this morning! He ate quinoa, mixed vegetables and grapes! Even though he’s been fed sunflower seeds and peanuts…thankfully he likes my dry mix too which doesn’t contain either.

If I had to guess…because he hasn’t been plucking that long…it may have started when this couple’s adult kids moved in with them with kid of their own and two bangle cats that had never been around birds. Hopefully we can get more feathers to grow in. He still has his follicles.

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

Because we have so many new followers I feel like I need to explain myself again. Many people don’t agree with what I do. I get it…I’m just asking you to give me a minute and let me try to explain.The above picture was sent to me by a follower a few years ago asking me to save this bird. I drove 3 hours thinking that it was just probably a bad picture and that when I got there the bird would be fine. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. No matter what I did…I got no reaction from this baby. He tore my heart out.

When I took him to the vet…nothing was wrong with him. He had simply given up and stopped eating.

Where I come from animals are not sold at flea markets! This s**t was totally new to me.

Maybe it’s PTSD from rescuing Larry so close to death? I don’t know.All I know is tame birds do not do well when they are dumped at the market by their owners. They find themselves there because rescues don’t pay for birds…but flea markets do. But these babies are confused and scared. Their family/flock deserted them. Some start plucking, some scream and others simply give up.

Many retired breeders end up there too but they generally do ok. They aren’t used to affection or having a family.

I personally do not see it as being any different than dog rescues pulling from the shelters. The only difference is the shelters/animal controls here do not take in exotic animals and when trying to rescue them from the flea markets they cost a lot more….because the flea markets generally pay good money for the birds they take in. So they have to recoup that and a little extra.
I know the owner of the market I go to pays more than most. He’s a family man who honestly cares about his community and doesn’t like to see people suffer.

Many people want to know the name of the flea market and where they are located. I will never post that. If the extremists ever got wind it would be far worse for the animals there. This flea market has honestly made improvements since I’ve been going there. Would I say it’s perfect? No but it is far better than many.

I am always available to answer questions but please don’t judge if you have never seen a bird literally give up. I’ve seen it and it rips my heart out. Thanks to my followers we have rescued several from dying there. We have also been able to return to lost birds to their families.

08/04/2025

Yup it’s hot!

08/04/2025

Please help

08/04/2025

Bought him a toy.

08/04/2025

Blue and Gold

08/04/2025

Bat Bird still needs our help! Please!

https://PayPal.me/rickiesrescue
Cashapp $rickiesrescue
Venmo
Zelle. [email protected]

Address:

Rickie’s Parrot Rescue
PO BOX 700522
Goulds, FL 33170

08/04/2025

After seeing a several posts on Facebook from owners who have lost their birds simply because they did not know the dangers that lie within a normal household, I thought I would discuss a few here. I will list some every day dangers below, but please keep in mind that this is not a complete list and should not be taken as such. If your bird gets into something questionable, call your vet right away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Also, remember that some chemicals can be absorbed by your bird’s feet – so be sure to wash your hands before handling them if you have been working with something that may be of danger to your parrot.

Miners did not send canaries into mines without reason…birds are far more susceptible to fumes and toxins than humans.

Fumes
* Window cleaners with ammonia (only use cleaning liquids without ammonia)
* pest control sprays – should tell your pest control company you have birds and to use powders and/or bird safe products
* Teflon, Silverstone, t-fall and other non-stick coatings – when overheated they emit fumes that will quickly kill your bird
* Self cleaning ovens as well as new ovens. Turn your new ovens on outside and let the coating burn off before bringing it in the house
* Drip pans
* Ironing board covers
* Bread makers
* Burning plastic
* Reynold’s cooking bags
* Scented candles
* Air fresheners and plug ins
* Incense and potpourri
* Aerosol cleaners and sprays
* Fabric protector
* Second hand smoke
* New carpeting
* Paint

Chewables
* Paint
* Woodwork
* Lead
* Avocado
* Chocolate
* Alcohol
* Household plants
* Garlic
* Coffee
* Tea
* Yeast dough
* Salt
* Tomato leaves and stems
* Potato leaves and stems
* Rhubarb leaves
* Cigarettes/tobacco
* Moldy or spoiled food
* Heavy metals – which can contain lead
* Apple seeds
* Uncooked beans – certain types should not be fed at all
* Onions
* Curry powder
* Eggplant leaves

Physical Dangers
* Ceiling fans
* Cords
* Toilets or any standing water
* Pots on the stove
* Open windows
* Other animals
* Sleeping in a bed
* Recliners/Rocking chairs
* Open flames
* Heated surfaces
* Curling irons
* Windows, doors and skylights
* Flea and tick medications

But when in doubt about something your bird may have come into contact with – call your avian vet immediately.

Again, please remember that this is just a partial list. Now you may be asking yourself, what can I clean my house with? Old fashioned water and vinegar or apple cider vinegar is a great solution. There are also all natural cleaners on the market that are made from different citrus plants…those are fine as well.

If you do not have an avian vet one can be found here:

https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

08/04/2025