Shade
Crazy for Pois!
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Our "Mayor of the Avenue" award is presented to a member who exhibits the qualities that distinguish them to be an upstanding credit to the Avenue, a loving, informed, conscientious and caring bird parront and an all around good neighbor.
I am so delighted to announce Jill as November's Mayor of the Avenue. Given all the work she's put into the forum, including this very recent move, it's only fitting!
I loved your interview and enjoyed getting to know you a little better!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
That's a big list
I have 23 birds; Amazons, Cockatoos, Senegals and Hawk-headed parrots.
Amazons: Cyan (BFA - 20), Odie (BFA - 20), Pancho (DYHA - 21) Tasha (DYHA - 27), Ruger (DYHA - 13), Trixie (DYHA - 30), Ricky (RLA - 25), Lady Di (RLA - 25), Phlare (MRHA - 45+), Traveler (MRHA - age unk), Cecil (LCA - 17), Charlie (YNA - 24)
Cockatoos: Lancelot (E2 - 17), Frankie (G2 - 22+), Austin (G2 - 22+), Shiloh (22+)
Senegals: Coke-a-moe (20), Graham (15), Dawn (15)
Hawkheads: Cassius (6 years), Zeva (5 years), Ringo (22+), Riven (~18)
2. What got you interested in birds?
Interestingly, my first bird experience was a little male cockatiel that was kept in my chiropractor's office. After seeing him I begged and begged (and finally got) my first bird; a male normal gray cockatiel (Magic) in 1986.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
Stress!
They are wonderful and keep things interesting. I cant imagine not having birds. They definitely make my life better.
4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
Patience, being more aware of how I am feeling and acting as it directly affects them.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
My beloved Rasta; goffin cockatoo (first large bird). He was my best bud and was rarely ever caged. I had a decent cage for him but he was never kept in it and had full run of a large room. I did not clip him either as he loved to do circuits around the house. I went on a week-long houseboat trip and my mom stayed home, taking care of Rasta and other critters we had. Well Rasta was not happy at all that I was away. He completely shredded everything in that room. The shutters, baseboards, door frames, cabinets - you name it. Getting home I was so excited to see my bud. My mom simply said - go see what your bird did. OMG I was mortified. He had never been destructive like that before, I guess he was showing his displeasure. No surprise looking back of course. He was such an awesome bird and I was so beyond lucky to have had him.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
The four inside birds (Cassius, Zeva, Cyan & Coke) are all kept in our front main room. The rest live 24x7 in flight cages outside. The other two hawkheads have a mini-aviary on the back side of our house and the rest of the birds have a larger aviary on the property.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
We don't have a lot of pictures and such since my birds are flighted. We are also super careful with windows and doors but aside from that, nothing really special. We hope to be moving in the next year and the birds will then have their own room which will be super nice. A door that can be opened to roll their cages outside for sun/cleaning. No carpet (cant wait!!), and decorated with all their fun stuff
8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Only Avian Avenue.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
Stainless steel cages!! And an even larger aviary with bigger flights would be awesome.
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
I have my dream bird (hawkhead parrot), and Ive been lucky enough to have had two "heart birds" - Rasta (G2) and now Cassius (HH). I wont get any more birds but aside from a HH, I had always wanted a MM2. No plans for that to happen as I am definitely maxed out on birds and what I can manage.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
Morning routine is getting everyone fed and cleaned. Then I go work with horses for several hours. Coming back to the house everyone gets some time out one on one. If DH is home, I can take Zeva in another room and then he has Cash out in the main room. The hawkheads don't get along so that's how we maximize their flying time separately. They both also take turns for shower time, which both absolutely love. Cyan spends every night on the bird tree in our bedroom (she loves to "camp out").
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
That there is always something to learn and do better at. Just when you think you've got things figured out, someone shows up with another great idea to make their lives better
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I wouldn't have taken in quite so many to be honest. It was easy to obtain many of them as I worked in a pet shop at the time and so many people were looking to get rid of their bird for one reason or another. Many of them were given to me and then I ended up finding them a buddy (I prefer to have them in pairs, not necessarily opposite sex thou).
14. What other hobbies do you have?
Working with horses and also doing things on the forum to continue making it better.
15. Anything else you would like to share?
I'm so glad to have such awesome members in our community here on AA. You have all been such an influence on things I do for the birds. From the amazing vendors to the creative ideas on feeding and enriching their lives, the ideas shared here cant be beat
I am so delighted to announce Jill as November's Mayor of the Avenue. Given all the work she's put into the forum, including this very recent move, it's only fitting!
I loved your interview and enjoyed getting to know you a little better!
1. What kind of birds do you have (age, species and names)?
That's a big list
I have 23 birds; Amazons, Cockatoos, Senegals and Hawk-headed parrots.
Amazons: Cyan (BFA - 20), Odie (BFA - 20), Pancho (DYHA - 21) Tasha (DYHA - 27), Ruger (DYHA - 13), Trixie (DYHA - 30), Ricky (RLA - 25), Lady Di (RLA - 25), Phlare (MRHA - 45+), Traveler (MRHA - age unk), Cecil (LCA - 17), Charlie (YNA - 24)
Cockatoos: Lancelot (E2 - 17), Frankie (G2 - 22+), Austin (G2 - 22+), Shiloh (22+)
Senegals: Coke-a-moe (20), Graham (15), Dawn (15)
Hawkheads: Cassius (6 years), Zeva (5 years), Ringo (22+), Riven (~18)
2. What got you interested in birds?
Interestingly, my first bird experience was a little male cockatiel that was kept in my chiropractor's office. After seeing him I begged and begged (and finally got) my first bird; a male normal gray cockatiel (Magic) in 1986.
3. What have your birds brought to your life?
Stress!
They are wonderful and keep things interesting. I cant imagine not having birds. They definitely make my life better.4. What have you learned from sharing your life with your birds?
Patience, being more aware of how I am feeling and acting as it directly affects them.
5. What's one birdie memory that will stay with you forever?
My beloved Rasta; goffin cockatoo (first large bird). He was my best bud and was rarely ever caged. I had a decent cage for him but he was never kept in it and had full run of a large room. I did not clip him either as he loved to do circuits around the house. I went on a week-long houseboat trip and my mom stayed home, taking care of Rasta and other critters we had. Well Rasta was not happy at all that I was away. He completely shredded everything in that room. The shutters, baseboards, door frames, cabinets - you name it. Getting home I was so excited to see my bud. My mom simply said - go see what your bird did. OMG I was mortified. He had never been destructive like that before, I guess he was showing his displeasure. No surprise looking back of course. He was such an awesome bird and I was so beyond lucky to have had him.
6. Where is your birds main living area?
The four inside birds (Cassius, Zeva, Cyan & Coke) are all kept in our front main room. The rest live 24x7 in flight cages outside. The other two hawkheads have a mini-aviary on the back side of our house and the rest of the birds have a larger aviary on the property.
7. Did you change things in your home to accommodate your birds and if so what kinds of things did you change?
We don't have a lot of pictures and such since my birds are flighted. We are also super careful with windows and doors but aside from that, nothing really special. We hope to be moving in the next year and the birds will then have their own room which will be super nice. A door that can be opened to roll their cages outside for sun/cleaning. No carpet (cant wait!!), and decorated with all their fun stuff
8. Are you involved in any kind of bird related group or activities?
Only Avian Avenue.
9. What is the one luxury item you would love to have for your bird(s)?
Stainless steel cages!! And an even larger aviary with bigger flights would be awesome.
10. Is there any bird that you dream of owning and if so why?
I have my dream bird (hawkhead parrot), and Ive been lucky enough to have had two "heart birds" - Rasta (G2) and now Cassius (HH). I wont get any more birds but aside from a HH, I had always wanted a MM2. No plans for that to happen as I am definitely maxed out on birds and what I can manage.
11. Describe a typical day with you at home with your birds.
Morning routine is getting everyone fed and cleaned. Then I go work with horses for several hours. Coming back to the house everyone gets some time out one on one. If DH is home, I can take Zeva in another room and then he has Cash out in the main room. The hawkheads don't get along so that's how we maximize their flying time separately. They both also take turns for shower time, which both absolutely love. Cyan spends every night on the bird tree in our bedroom (she loves to "camp out").
12. What have you learned about owning birds that you would like to share?
That there is always something to learn and do better at. Just when you think you've got things figured out, someone shows up with another great idea to make their lives better
13. If you knew then what you know now about birds, what would you do differently?
I wouldn't have taken in quite so many to be honest. It was easy to obtain many of them as I worked in a pet shop at the time and so many people were looking to get rid of their bird for one reason or another. Many of them were given to me and then I ended up finding them a buddy (I prefer to have them in pairs, not necessarily opposite sex thou).
14. What other hobbies do you have?
Working with horses and also doing things on the forum to continue making it better.
15. Anything else you would like to share?
I'm so glad to have such awesome members in our community here on AA. You have all been such an influence on things I do for the birds. From the amazing vendors to the creative ideas on feeding and enriching their lives, the ideas shared here cant be beat
Can't believe she's never been mayor before. Congratulations, Jill!!! 
WHO?
and thank you for all you do for us! 
A truly inspiring and informative interview 
Jill, as Head of this wonderful Forum, you have encompassed utmost integrity in your efforts at promoting open communication across the board, you foster this culture among your Admin/Mod members at all times and also when questions are asked, to clarify confusions and promote understanding in a prompt and respectful manner, which goes a long way to foster trust and faith in an online Forum. This is a very important quality and indicative of a true leader 
