Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary

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This Art Gallery is for the Birds!

Preview

The Melbourne Avian Rescue Sanctuary lent more than a splash of color when they headed over to Art Gallery and Studio in old downtown Melbourne last Sunday. Everyone agreed that the birds and the art were a perfect compliment to each other!

Who said parrots couldn’t be “Patrons” of the Arts?! Cortez (far right on her perch) found the gallery irresistable. Every chance she got she got down and wandered around the gallery surveying the art much to the amusement of the gallery patrons! She even posed for a picture with her favorite painting! Now that she has discovered art as her new passion along with the tons of TLC she receives from M.A.R.S. she will stop plucking out her breast feathers and be as beautiful as her buddy Snoopy!

All in all it was a perfect Florida afternoon for viewing wonderful colorful artwork, great photography, meeting interesting people and getting to know and interact with the amazing members of M.A.R.S.!

And thanks so much to all the wonderful ladies of the Gallery, feathered or not, we all had a GREAT time! And a special thanks to our volunteers Rene, Mary and Christina Ranieri, you guys are the best!

Raising Awareness for M.A.R.S.

The M.A.R.S. booth at the Aloha hospital in Melbourne
The M.A.R.S. booth at the Aloha hospital in Melbourne
M.A.R.S. founder LuAnn Apple with her rescue bird Parker
M.A.R.S. founder LuAnn Apple with two of her rescue birds
M.A.R.S. volunteer and Linda Pepin
M.A.R.S. volunteer Kim and Linda Pepin
M.A.R.S. volunteers Kim and Aly Donovan
M.A.R.S. volunteers Kim and Aly Donovan
LuAnn Apple and Linda Pepin
LuAnn Apple and Linda Pepin
M.A.R.S. resident Kiefer enjoying the view
M.A.R.S. resident Kiefer with a buddy

Yesterday was a perfect day for joining with Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital in Indian Harbour Beach and introducing M.A.R.S. members to the public and the staff of Aloha.

Joining us was our volunteer helpers Kim and Aly Donovan. Kim was inspired to call members of her class to come see us and support the birds.

Linda Pepin (pictured above), is an amazing person and friend to M.A.R.S. Her time shared with our feathered members is invaluable. Her husband Dr. Jose Pepin is a co-founder of the Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital and one of the veterinarians at the clinic.

Thanks to all who came to see us!

Pepper the Parrot sings at Super Bowl!

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Well, at the Puppy Super Bowl that is! Animal Planet has held this event for non-football lovers for the past 5 years complete with Kitten Halftime show! There certainly is something for all animal lovers!

Meet Pepper the Parrot : Puppy Bowl V : Animal Planet

Animal Planet tells us a little bit about Pepper the Parrot:

Pepper is a 12-year-old African Grey parrot and an ambassador for Phoenix Landing, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to helping parrots. Pepper has been seen on Animal Planet’s Pet Star and has been featured in BirdTalk magazine, Companion Parrot Quarterly and BirdChannel.com.

Pepper sometimes sings lyrically, but more often does sound effects, she can even bark like a dog! She also loves to watch football, and does amazing sounds like sports fans. She squeals and screams with excitement and sounds exactly like the ref’s whistle.

Somebody better call Simon from American Idol and warn him quick!!!

8 Great Factoids About Parrots

African Grey Parrot
African Grey Parrot

If you’re a Parrot lover then here’s a few things you will love to know! BTW, check out one of my favorite information websites Wikipedia.org for more Fun Factoids!

  1. Did you know there are roughly 372 species of parrots?
  2. The greatest diversity of parrots if sound in South America and Australiasia
  3. With few exceptions, Parrots are monogamous which nest in cavaties and hold no territories other than their nesting sight.
  4. While parrots have the distinction of being able to mimic human speech, studies with the African Grey Parrot have shown that some are able to associate words with their meanings and form simple sentences
  5. Not only have parrots demonstrated intelligence through scientific testing of their language using ability, but some species of parrot such as the Kea are also highly skilled at using tools and solving puzzles
  6. Parrots do not have vocal cords, so sound is accomplished by expelling air across the mouth of the bifurcated trachea. Different sounds are produced by changing the depth and shape of trachea. So, talking parrots are really whistling in different variations.
  7. Sayings about parrots colour the modern English language. The verb “parroting” can be found in the dictionary, and means “to repeat by rote.” There are also clichés, such as the British saying “sick as a parrot.”
  8. Parrots are used as symbols of nations and nationalism. A parrot is found on the flag of Dominica. The St. Vincent parrot is the national bird of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean nation.

Got a another great parrot factoid you’d like us to know? Send us your suggestions via our contact form, we’d love to know and share!