The Walsh family’s affinity for parrots began with a lovebird they adopted as a pet more than 25 years ago.
“We fell in love with her and began acquiring more parrots over the years,” said Jerry Walsh III, manager of Parrots in Paradise, a parrot sanctuary. “We got a co*ckatiel next, followed by a sun conure, a co*ckatoo, an African gray and a macaw.”
Word got around, and a Vietnam War veteran living nearby approached them, saying he had 15 parrots that he was not able to keep because he was getting older. He asked if they would take the birds, and they said yes.
“So, we had 21 parrots and were wondering how we got to that point,” Walsh said. “My sister, Erinn, came up with the idea of starting a sanctuary, and our parents thought that was a great idea.”
Operating Parrots in Paradise
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The Walshes established Parrots in Paradise as a nonprofit in 2000 — and everything they do now is literally for the birds. Their 10-acre farm in Kealakekua, 15 miles south of Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island, is also home to the sanctuary.
Dorothy (mother of Jerry and Erinn) is the founder and president; her responsibilities run the gamut from trimming birds’ nails and wings to screening people interested in adopting a parrot. Her husband, Jerry Walsh, Jr. (father of Jerry and Erinn), grows fruits and veggies, some of which are used to feed the parrots. He sells the rest to wholesale food distributors, with profits earmarked for the care of the birds and facilities.
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When Erinn is not working at her day job as a nurse, she handles social media and photography for Parrots in Paradise. Walsh, the manager, leads tours; serves on the board of directors; and does most of the feedings, cleaning, maintenance and repairs.
Residents of the Sanctuary
Housed in 20 aviaries of varying sizes are some 120 parrots, representing 35 species and ranging in age from two to their early 80s. All have been given to the sanctuary.
Parrots have been handed down from generation to generation before finally coming to us.
“One reason is because parrots live a long time,” Walsh said. “Generally, the bigger the bird the longer they live; a macaw can live a century. A few people have put the sanctuary in their will because they know their parrot is going to outlive them and relatives won’t want it. Parrots have been handed down from generation to generation before finally coming to us.”
On a two-hour tour, clients will meet several of the charming residents, including Kissy, a Triton co*ckatoo in her late 40s.
“She makes a clicking sound with her beak, which is her way of blowing kisses,” Walsh said. “She loves people, and she’ll do that only when they’re around.”
Peaches, a 15-year-old Moluccan co*ckatoo, belonged to a psychiatrist in Hilo.
“She learned some interesting phrases from him like, ‘You’re depressed, you’re depressed,’” Walsh said. “She’s the loudest bird in the sanctuary; she has a high-pitched screech that sounds like a creaking gate with the volume multiplied by 100.”
An 11-year-old Alexandrine parakeet named Joey has shown his propensity for chewing in the 10 months he has been at the sanctuary.
“We’ve been giving him a lot of wooden toys, and it’s amazing — for a little guy that weighs maybe 10 ounces, he’s been totally destroying them,” Walsh said. “Parrots love to chew; in fact, they need to chew to help file down their beaks. But you have to know what their toys and perches are made of. Most fruit tree branches, including guava and macadamia, are safe, but any sappy wood is considered toxic to them.”
Avocado, commonly grown in Hawaii, is also poisonous to parrots because it contains persin, a natural fungicide that causes heart failure. The sanctuary’s residents enjoy a diet of seeds, nuts, beans, lentils, vegetables, cooked pasta (no sauce) and other fruits.
Parrots are curious and intelligent, with distinct personalities, just like humans.
Visiting the Parrots
During their visit, clients will hear parrots whistling, clucking and saying things like “Aloha,” “Hi, little girl,” “I’m a bad bird” and “Whatcha doing?” Not all of the birds talk, but the ones that do provide a glimpse of what life with their previous owners was like.
“We’ve had parrots that have sung opera, ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm,’” Walsh said. “Others could swear like a sailor.”
The highlight of a visit is walking into a large aviary where 12 of the friendliest birds live. They’re happy to pose for pictures, rest on clients’ wrists and maybe nibble at collars and sleeves.
“Parrots are curious and intelligent, with distinct personalities, just like humans,” Walsh said. “Because they live so long, our goal is to educate people, so they can determine whether or not they can and want to take on the commitment of keeping one. It’s certainly not for everyone, and that’s why the sanctuary exists — to ensure a good home for parrots given up by people who found they weren’t suitable caretakers. Matched properly, however, parrots can be devoted companions for life.”
The Details
Parrots in Paradise
