Daniella A
Google
Went here for a tour and was completely disturbed to see the state of one of the parrots in the barred cage. As a bird owner, I was heartbroken to see this poor bird with such obvious signs of severe distress. There is no enrichment of any kind for the birds, no proper nutrition, and the placement of the cage leaves them surrounded by so many flies and gnats that I couldn’t even stand to stay with the birds, though I badly wanted to. The conditions these birds are left in is completely unacceptable. To make matters even worse, I saw a huge snake on top of the cage which is also incredibly alarming. These birds aren’t decoration, they are living, feeling beings that deserve so much better than to be neglected and left to the elements.
Response:
Thank you for responding. I appreciate that you took these birds in, and I recognize that rescue situations can be complex.
That said, the conditions I observed still warrant serious concern, and explanations alone do not absolve the responsibility to do better. My review was based on what I personally observed during my visit, not on intentions, history, or explanations provided after the fact. Regardless of how the birds came into your care, the conditions visible to visitors at the time of my visit were concerning — including signs of distress from all parrots, lack of enrichment, high insect presence around the enclosure, and a predator observed on top of the cage.
Context does not negate current welfare concerns. Enrichment, cleanliness, and minimizing environmental stressors are fundamental needs for parrots, especially for birds recovering from trauma.
Your response does not meaningfully address the fact that these unsuitable conditions currently exist and must be corrected. There was no enrichment whatsoever in the cage — not a single toy, and no variety of perches in size, height, or placement. These are basic, non-optional requirements for parrots, both for foot health and for mental stimulation. I have been a bird owner and around a wide range of birds for over 15 years, and these needs are well-established standards of care.
While I understand that the presence of snakes on the island is not your doing, their existence is nonetheless a known and present risk. With that knowledge comes the responsibility to adequately protect the birds from outside threats. A predator on top of a cage is not a minor issue — it is a significant stressor and safety concern.
Regarding the flies and gnats, I understand that seasonal factors play a role. However, seasonal conditions do not justify ongoing discomfort or distress. Just as we would not excuse leaving dogs chained outside year-round because winter is “seasonal,” there should always be areas available to animals that are clean, comfortable, and safe. The insect presence was so severe that I personally struggled to remain there, with gnats flying into my eyes and nose.
You mention that many other rescued animals on the farm are able to roam freely. This raises an important question: why are the parrots not afforded similar freedom or choice, especially given their intelligence and sensitivity? Allowing them agency over where they perch or retreat would likely improve both comfort and welfare.
My concerns remain valid and unresolved. When one chooses to rescue, keep, or display animals — particularly as part of a business — their health, safety, and psychological well-being must take priority, even when doing so is inconvenient or requires additional resources.
Finally, you note that it would have been nicer to address this directly. As a visitor on a guided tour, I did not feel that raising concerns on the spot would have meaningfully changed the situation. Public reviews exist to reflect guest experiences and encourage transparency and accountability.
If your operation centers on animals, then it is reasonable for visitors to expect that the basic needs of every animal on the property are being met at all times. Based on what I observed, that standard was not being met for these birds.
I hope this will be resolved.
