Jojo is a 21 year old Green Cheek Conure (wild type), unknown sex. She was adopted many years ago from Earl May Garden Center in Cedar Rapids. She was pretty aggressive back then but she wasn’t well cared for. Luckily she found her owner and he showed her that life could be much better. She’s missing some toenails and has pretty weak feet, as well as skinny. She’s obviously plucked on her belly but is a super sweetheart and will step up. Jojo loves “hand bed” and snuggling into a curled palm- she feels safe and likes head pets then. She also LOVES long hair and will happily dive her way in until she’s sufficiently buried.

Henry is a male Sun Conure, 18 years old. We think he could have a pied gene and it’s why his green is so reduced! He seems kinda wary of the other free flight conures at this point, but gets along well with Sisko! Henry and Sisko absolutely need to stay together, especially after Sisko’s partner recently passed away. His original owner said he likes all people, and it seems that’s probably true. He will step up and sit on a shoulder or be carried around. His step ups cost one bite every time, but sometimes he’s a bit more stubborn. A small cost for a lifetime of love! He was free flight with the other conures and regularly lands on a shoulder of someone he likes and believes he may get treats from, but had to go back to a cage because Sisko began flying and biting new guests. He’s generally a bit easier to deal with than Sisko, but believe it or not… noisier.

Gonzo is a 6 year old Green Cheek Conure, unknown sex. We think he is a pineapple mutation (YS/Cinn). He’s under cuddlebugs for now as he steps up and is reported to enjoy snuggling, but he’s been a little dragon here. I think he doesn’t enjoy being around so many birds and fighting for attention. His nipping doesn’t hurt THAT bad and can definitely be worked with, but Gonzo absolutely needs a calmer home to be in. He fights with one of the Sun Conures so can only be out when directly supervised, though he doesn’t often leave the cage unless asked to step up. He and the Sun are both instigators, so it’s expected that Gonzo will probably instigate squabbles with others, too- he isn’t vicious about it though… just protective of his space I think. Green cheeks seem to believe everything around them is theirs, including you AND your home. Regardless of all this, he knows how to step up, sometimes does so politely, and has been around kids before so might be fine in a home with older kids. Gonzo will need to maintain a lower fat diet- he had some elevated liver enzymes upon arrival. He won’t need any long term medical care other than a proper diet moving forward!

Lucky is a DNA male 23 year old Jenday Conure. He suffered a serious leg injury back in January, which resulted in him breaking it in two separate places. Unfortunately he couldn’t have surgery at the time and it’s calcified in one spot, so he lives with the broken areas now. We found out it was a result of a chronic calcium deficiency which weakened his bones, causing a condition known as MBD. Lucky is now on a daily supplement but his bones will always be a bit weaker and he will need to be carefully handled. He’s not made of glass of course, but he will absolutely need to remain on pain medications for life since his leg is unusable. He has an accessible cage here and is a very very sweet bird. He loves head scratches and flying onto our heads to sit. He will also hang on a shoulder and wolf whistle at us, or just squawk. He likes to give kisses. Lucky is a kind and gentle soul who just wants a soft landing pad with someone who understands special needs birds. He’s also rather loud, so no apartments for him! He’s not gotten along well with male birds in the past, but female birds don’t seem to be a point of contention.

We’re still trying to find ways to mitigate Lucky’s pain and figure out what’s next for him. For now, Lucky will need to remain on a MEDICAL HOLD until we have an answer.