exotic birds – Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess with Lucy, Chia and Riley

We are joining Arty, Jakey, Rosy and Sunny of the LLB Gang with much thanks for hosting Nature Friday.

Hi there, I – the Schnauzer Warrior Princess – get to tell our story today. Let’s continue with our tale about the Birds in the Parrot Mountain Bird Reserve. On Tuesday we showed you pictures of brightly colored macaws and of the pesky cockatoo named Rosy, and of course a nice picture of us at the end so you didn’t go away disappointed. We have more bird pictures and stories for you, and maybe even a bonus picture of me (and maybe Lucy or someone else in the pack, too.)

Let’s start off with this Timnah Parrot.

She was a curious bird. Doen’t she look like a sweet girl? Look at that beak. I think I would make a point to be nice to her.

Next is a Solomon Parrot.

She looks rather solomn. I wonder if that’s how that species got it’s name…

Here’s some more colorful Red and Green Macaws.

I don’t know why those two on the right were in a cage. The one on the left by himself looks really friendly. When Mommy offered him her hand to see if he wanted to perch on her, he gently touched it with his beak to say no without hurting her.

These Toucans kept each other company in a big cage. I think the Toucan on the right was sticking her big beak into the other one’s business. You know, telling him what he should and shouldn’t do. Maybe they’re married.

And I think the one on the left finally told her to shut up, that what he did was none of her business! Doesn’t she look startled?

Lucy: Why would you say that, Xena?

Xena: Because I like good stories. They’re everwhere. You just have to look for them. Now get outa mine, Lucy.

Toucan Sam was there too.

Mommy and Rhonda were looking for the area where they were supposed to use the cup of nectar they had bought.

This Yellow Crested Macaw helpfully pointed the way.

Next, Mommy and her friend Rhonda went into the section where they could feed cups of nectar to the little birds. They always have adventures when they’re together, and this was no exception. It started out with one little bird feeding from the nectar.

Then a second birdie joined in, but the nectar was all gone, so they started licking the sweat off her neck and shoulder.

Before she knew it, there were four baby birds licking her sweat and perching on her head.

Mommy tried to help her, but the birds only bit at Mommy and kept licking Rhonda. People lured two of them off with cups of nectar, and Mommy had to use her hand to swipe the remaining two off. They got out of there really fast after that!

I know you want to see a picture of me before we say bye bye. But Chia asked if I would put a picture of her in since she has been sick, and, being a good sister, I said yes.

Nice pose there, Chia!

Xena Schnauzer Warrior Princess

Many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Lucy: Our Mom’s home! (So’s Dad.) Dad got home Saturday afternoon in plenty of time to feed us our supper. Mom had everything all pre-made with instructions of what to add. He did a good job…16 paws up. (Me, Xena, Chia and Riley). In fact, he did a good job every morning and night until Mom finally got home around noon on Monday, just in time for our mid-day snacks. Great planning, Mom!

Today Mom wants us to share with you one of the highlights of her trip — Parrot Mountain and Gardens just outside of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is a peaceful Bible-inspired garden & parrot preserve offering chances to interact with rare birds. Many of the birds are given to the preserve when their owners are either too old to care for them or by their estate once their mom or dad have crossed the rainbow bridge. Others are hatched there and raised by their own moms!

The weather has been very hot with almost 100% humidity. That, along with the fronds and trees and all the other greenery and the many birds who had their freedom to sit in trees and pn perches gave the illusion of being in the Amazon where many of them originated.

This Blue and Gold Macaw and Red and Green Macaw are two of the handsome birds who reside here. Can you guess which is which, BOL?

Some posts had the words, “Birds bite, do not touch.” Everyone was supposed to leave those birds alone except to just stop and look at them. For the rest, you could offer your hand or arm for the bird to step on if they wanted. Some did, others had had enough of it for the day.

This pretty Macaw liked Mom’s friend, who we will call “Rhonda.”

Xena: Why are we “calling” her “Rhonda?” That’s her name.

Lucy: Can you just go with it for once, Xe? It’s a literary style I’m trying!
Where was I? Oh, yes. This bird – whose name is Rosy – decided she wanted the clasp on “Rhonda’s” pack.

Every time Mom tried to get Rosy to step onto her hand, Rosy bit at her. It seemed “Rhonda” was going to have to surrender her pack! Then, she got the idea to turn the pack around…

She finally got the clasp away from Rosy and returned her to her own perch.

This yellow parrot was a friendly bird, but didn’t want held.

This Macaw had fluffed up all his feathers. I think this is where the phrase, “Don’t get your feathers ruffled” comes from!

That’s it for today. We’ll be back on Nature Friday with Rosy and the Gang with more pictures and stories from Mom’s visit to Parrot Mountain and Gatlinburg.

Love and wags, Lucy and Xena

Pee Ess: This is for everyone who came here to see us, not birds. Xena