Freedom the Parrot has Joyful Reunion with Parrots at Feathered Friends Forever Rescue Sanctuary
- Karen Marts
- Jul 7, 2019
- 6 min read
Good evening everyone:
My pet Panama Amazon, named Freedom the Parrot, was born in Riverview, Florida. He has a closed metal leg band, which indicates a domestic bred bird. He was shipped up North for the pet trade, then somehow ended up in Harlem, Georgia, at Feathered Friends Forever Rescue/Sanctuary. He was adopted out for a year, but then brought back to the rescue, where he resided for 3 years in an outdoor aviary. Interestingly enough, the address for the largest non-profit parrot shelter in America is 612 Byrd Drive. Freedom flew freely in a flight with several other species of Amazons such as Blue Fronted, Yellow Naped, and Double Yellow Heads. I had a cherished Yellow Fronted Amazon named Boo, for 20 years. I was heart-broken that I never got to film him on video. On December 15, 2011, I drove to Feathered Friends Forever to donate a few days of my time, and was determined to adopt a parrot. The State of Georgia licensed animal shelter, and 501 (c 3) non-profit organization, provides both short term and long term safe haven for parrots. I adopted Freedom the Parrot, not knowing he would change my life. He is truly the love of my life, and my best friend. I have become a bird nerd! I belong to the Audubon Society, both locally and nationally; am a World Parrot Trust member, so I can become more globally aware of all parrot species both in the wild and captivity; an Audubon Newhall Preserve Tour Guide and Maintenance Team Member; Sylvan Heights Bird Park Member, with hundreds of new videos to post from 2016; and a 6 year Sea Pines Bluebird Project Volunteer Monitor.
3 years ago I began filming wildlife videos with a Canon Power Shot 50SX HS digital camera, which catapulted me into successful bird blogging. It soon became evident, with weekly forays to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Sea Pines Bluebird Project, and various local parks, that I enjoyed filming every type of mammal, bird, and reptile. Soon Freedom the Parrot joined me as we travelled up and down the East Coast, filming at St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Reptile Lagoon at South of the Border, Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place, Homosassa Springs, Edisto Island Serpentarium, Alligator Adventure in N. Myrtle Beach, Gatorland in Orlando, Florida, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Sea World in Orlando, Florida, and Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Today I published video number 5,600, and have 6,000 more videos to post. With 311 subscribers on YouTube, and 32 followers on Google Plus, I am motivated to provide both entertaining and educational videos.
Freedom and I look forward to visiting Feathered Friends Forever each year, for their Open House and Silent Auction. This provides my pet a chance to act like a parrot. He can talk, scream, and socialize with his own species, as well as observe and communicate with a variety of large and small parrots. He has become an ambassador for captive parrots, and serves as a greeter in the Welcome Center. He adores children, and becomes very excited at seeing them. He is a patient bird, and endures petting from strangers.
If you would like to view the 197 videos that have been published thus far, from our 2016 trip, click on the link below. There are 91 new videos yet to be posted, filmed on the day of the Open House. Enjoy some great commentary on Freedom the Parrot, and the Welcome Center at Feathered Friends Forever. The Silent Auction is a fun way to raise money for the rescue, as is Birds ‘n Bullets,and selling cool recycled ammo jewelry by Classy Calibers. Amy Schneider, editor for Georgia Magazine, wrote an amazing article on Feathered Friends Forever, which is now framed in the Welcome Center. Rambo, a Blue and Gold Macaw, owned by Britt, likes picking up wood chips, when he gets in a show-off mode. Baby, the Umbrella Cockatoo, keeps him company, and helps greet visitors. You will see me with some gorgeous Macaws, filmed by Michael, Volunteer of the Year. Ron Johnson, founder of Feathered Friends Forever, with his wife Tammy, is presenting the award to Michael. Ron’s brother Daryl sets up the Silent Auction, and his wife Danielle presents Pepper the Panama. Their daughter Britt is seen holding Rambo, the Blue & Gold Macaw. Larry, an 8 year volunteer, tours me around the various flights, as he feeds peanuts to all the parrots. Check out Boo Boo the Sulfur Crested Cockatoo, sharing a Thanksgiving meal with Bob, a 12 year volunteer. Bob also shows little Stumpy, the Meyer’s Parrot with no feet, and how he overcame his handicap. Lastly, you’ll experience Freedom the Parrot in his joyful reunion, with his former cage mates, the Amazon parrots.
Karen Marts YouTube Entire Wildlife Series
Click on the links below to see beautiful parrots with dramatic feather colors, and the fascinating interactions between the birds and people.
Karen Marts Pets Buffon's Macaw & Catalina Macaw Visits! Feathered Friends Forever
Karen Marts Enthusiastic About Blue & Gold, Green Winged, Military, Catalina & Miligold Macaws Filmed by Michael! Feathered Friends Forever
Freedom the Parrot HAS FUN with Nitro Sulfur Crested Cockatoo, Rosie & Ring Necked Parakeets! Feathered Friends Forever
7 Blue & Gold Macaws Share Breakfast with Military Macaw & Big Green Winged Macaw! Feathered Friends Forever
Larry Feeds DANCING MILITARY MACAW & Green Winged Macaw on Perch! Feathered Friends Forever
Larry Feeds Peanuts to DELIGHTFUL Blue Fronted, Yellow Naped, Lilac Crowned & Yellow Fronted Amazons! Feathered Friends Forever
LILAC CROWNED AMAZON CHEWS GRAPE UP CLOSE with Blue Fronted Parrots! Feathered Friends Forever
Lilac Crowned & Yellow Naped Whistle & Talk & Yellow Fronted Yellows OW OW OW! Feathered Friends Forever
RETHINK PINK WITH JOSH THE ROSE BREASTED COCKATOO! Feathered Friends Forever Rescue & Sanctuary
Stumpy the Meyer's Parrot Was Born Without Feet & Bob the Volunteer
Danielle Trained Pepper the Panama to Say Tickle Tickle! Feathered Friends Forever
Boo Boo Sulfur Crested Cockatoo & Bob Travel to Educate & Raise Funds for Feathered Friends Forever!
Catalina Macaw FLAPS WINGS & Michael Pets Buffon's Macaw! Feathered Friends Forever
Freedom the Parrot, Water Bottles, Keychains, Rambo Blue & Gold Macaw & Angel Baby Umbrella Cockatoo! Feathered Friends Forever
Freedom the Parrot, Blue & Gold Macaw Rambo in SHOW OFF MODE, Baby Umbrella Cockatoo & Artwork Welcome Center! Feathered Friends Forever
Freedom the Parrot & Amy Schneider's Georgia Magazine Article on Feathered Friends Forever Rescue Sanctuary
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Riley Rescue Story & Cockatoos Gone Wild! Feathered Friends Forever
Lesser Sulfur & Medium Sulfur Crested Cockatoos with Riley, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Engage in Crest Competition! Feathered Friends Forever
Red Lored Amazon Eats Grape, Blue Fronted Amazon Talks Gibberish Feathered Friends Forever
Lovebirds, Caique, Sun & Half Moon Conures, Meyers & Nanday! Feathered Friends Forever
Freedom the Parrot JOYFUL REUNION with Yellow Naped, Blue Front & Orange Crowned Amazons! Feathered Friends Forever
Red Lored Amazon Resplendent! Lilac Crowned, Blue Fronted & Yellow Crowned Amazons with Northern Cardinal Injured Foot! Feathered Friends Forever
EXQUISITE NAVY, RED & YELLOW Feathers on Blue Fronted Amazon & Lilac Crowned Munches Grape! Feathered Friends Forever
Britt Holds Rambo the Blue & Gold Macaw 25-30 Years Old! Feathered Friends Forever
Ron Johnson on Commitment of Michael Johnson Volunteer of the Year 2016! Feathered Friends Forever
Daryl Johnson Sets Up Silent Auction, Vicki Volunteers & Michael with Rambo Blue & Gold Macaw! Feathered Friends Forever
Catalina, Green Winged Macaw, Miligold & Buffon's Macaw with Michael! Feathered Friends Forever
Please consider joining Feathered Friends Forever Rescue/Sanctuary this weekend, September 23, 2017, for their Open House and Silent Auction 11 am to 4 pm.
Many parrots have been abused, neglected, or abandoned, causing them to suffer behavioral problems, feather plucking, biting, or destructiveness. Oftentimes they never adapt to being a caged bird. Ultimately the captive reared bird ends up in multiple homes, sanctuaries, or rescue facilities for the rest of their lives. Feathered Friends Forever provides an opportunity for these birds to fly in outdoor aviaries, and become socialized through one-on-one interactions with unpaid volunteer staff and visitors alike. There are quite a few adoptable birds, so consider having a lifetime pet! The sanctuary also offers the Military Deployment Parrot Housing Program, which allows service men and women to have their pets cared for while they are overseas, or temporarily on assignment. Parrots are special birds with high intelligence, and dynamic personalities. They provide friendship, love, and entertainment.
Have a nice evening,
Karen Marts and Freedom the Parrot
Living in Parrot-dise HHI
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