The Wingnuts Are New Providence/Berkeley Heights' Pet Of The Week

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Meet The Wingnuts! They have been chosen as New Providence/Berekeley Heights Patch's Pet Of The Week.

"I'd like to submit The Wingnuts, my flock of 3 'rescue' cockatiels (the smallest breed of cockatoo).

These 3 birds all suffered emotional & physical abuse, and were terrified of humans when they came to me. But...because of the breed's native intelligence, gentleness and need for 'flock' interaction, all three are now healthy, goofy and are constantly expanding the ways that they communicate and interact with me.

The dark gray/black-pied bird is 'Ellie', who was rescued by the NJSPCA from an animal-hoarder early last year. She had lived her whole life alone in a tiny cage, except for twice a year, when the hoarder would put in a male bird...so that she would hatch two clutches of chicks each year, to generate money. Ellie was sent to A Helping Wing shelter in Hope, NJ (https://www.facebook.com/ahelpingwing/); where...after medical treatment and quarantine...she was put up for adoption. She's been part of the flock since last June.

The yellow-pied birds are siblings: 'Crash' & 'Eddie'. They were part of the 'inventory' of a failed pet store, and were bounced around a couple of animal shelters before coming to my attention. Although they mean well, the majority of shelters know mammals...cats & dogs...and, don't know how to care for parrots. In their case, Crash & Eddie were in a cage that was barely big enough for 1 bird, hadn't had a bath/shower in months (they are needed several times a week), had only 1 perch (causing sores on the bottom of their feet), and were in a room where cats regularly climbed onto their cage. It also turned out that the shelter was giving them canary seed...so, they were also malnourished. They have been with me for almost 4 years now.

Unfortunately, 80% of all parrots are either returned, given away or abandoned within 2 years of purchase. That's why it's so important to consider 'rescue's if you want to adopt a parrot. It's also important to realize the length of your commitment to these animals:

• They are long-lived: even the small ones will live 15-20 years, and larger breeds can live 75 years
• They require specialized medical care. The vast majority of vets who claim to treat 'exotic birds' don't have a clue. It's important to get recommendations from parrot shelters and/or one of the few Board-certified Avian Vets in NJ
• They require a diet that is specific to the breed...and, includes a balance of food/vegetable types
• They require YOU. Parrots are essentially human children with beaks and wings...and, need the same kind of attention, physical attention, personal love and play that any of your kids do."

Do you think your pet should be New Providence/Berkeley Heights' Pet of the Week?

Participating in the Pet of the Week happenings is simple: submit your nomination by emailing alexis.tarrazi@patch.com. Be sure to include a photograph or two of your pet, a paragraph about what makes him or her so great, and the part of town you're from. You can choose to include your name, but you don't need to. Then just keep an eye out for a photo of your pet on the Patch!

The photo can be of a present pet, or it can be a baby picture of the adult pet you're so proud of today.

(Images submitted)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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