My feathered friends **DUW**

[Evan Jamison]

Ok, so their not really pets, more like educational ambassadors , but here are my warm-blooded charges at work. The parrots go out on outreach to elementary schools 2-3 times a week, and love to perform in front of large audiences.

This is dusty, a 16 year old grey. He's such a ham, and loves to have his head scratched. He's my favorite out of the bunch . He is also a favorite at the schools, because one of his behaviors is very realistic souding belch!


Here's Mingo, a 6 year old blue and gold. When I started working here, everyone thought he was the devil, but he is a little softy. He is quite hyper, and loves to play bite/lunge, so people just assumed he was aggressive......silly people .


This is Scarlet (original name, i know), our very tempermental scarlet Macaw. She had major seperation anxiety issues when her sole owner for 15 years decided she couldn't keep her anymore. She has bitten just about everyone that handles her (the entire outreach and husbandry staff). I am lucky, because right from the first day I handled her, she has never caused me any problems.

Here she is posing for the camera (trying to earn herself a treat )


This little guy is Mickey, our male Eclectus. He doesn't do much other than cuddle on your shoulder and look pretty


Mickey looking curious


This is our black-necked aracari toucan. She is pretty high strung, and I haven't gotten her to the point that I feel comfortable taking her out to schools. She will fly from A to B, and to the fist on command, but she is easily spooked, so no outreach for her yet.


Here are some shots of the aviary I designed and built for them last year. There are five 4'x7'x8' cages, and one 4'x10'x8' cage (the toucan's) separated with acrylic, and has a 3' wide safety walkway. This is largest structure I've ever built, so I was a little worried when I was first asked to do it, but it came together nicely.

side view


aerial view


down the safety walkway.


I am usually here alone, so these guys keep me from going insane with loneliness most days .

Thanks for looking!!

-Evan

[JLC]

Wow!! Beautiful birds, and a very impressive aviary!! If I ever get out to Utah, Evan...can I get a behind-the-scenes tour???

[MeMe]

The Grey is awesome!

I have a friend who has one and it repeats EVERYTHNG you say!

they are awesome.

great pics!



ps...love that sig!

[qiksilver]

I LOVE that toucan, she's real pretty, thanks for the pics

[Emilio]

I've alway's loved the grey's Evan they look great.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Amazing birds and great job on the aviary

[jknudson]

You have quite the awesome job! I'd be thrilled to work in a place with such wonderful animals...and from the pictures it looks as if your staff keeps everything immaculate!

Some day, when and if I ever have the time I would love a few larger birds.

[Evan Jamison]

Wow!! Beautiful birds, and a very impressive aviary!! If I ever get out to Utah, Evan...can I get a behind-the-scenes tour???

Thanks Judy, and of course you can!!

-Evan

[Evan Jamison]

Thanks everyone, and yeah greys are awesome! Dusty is kinda a closet talker, he will jabber all day as long as no one is watching him, but the minute you approach, he puts on a "wasn't me" face Right this minute he is going through his dog commmands....."Sit", "Sit down!", "Stay"......."Good Dog!!" Funny guy.

You have quite the awesome job! I'd be thrilled to work in a place with such wonderful animals...and from the pictures it looks as if your staff keeps everything immaculate!

Some day, when and if I ever have the time I would love a few larger birds.

Yeah, I love working here. I get the all perks of keeping a widely diverse collection without shelling out big bucks for the space/food/etc. Yeah parrots require so much more time than people realize. I love that I get to play with these birds everyday, but don't have to wake up to A LOT of squaking and screaming all the time. I've done it before, and NEVER will again!


-Evan

[slartibartfast]

That aviary looks terrific. You did a great job on it. :-)