Providing life-changing care and environment for special needs avian species in Minnesota.
Our May featured bird of the month is Kai! Since joining MAARS in 2022, Kai has gone from nervous and unsure to a confident flyer with a talent for echoing coughs, destroying toys, and shouting “woo!” at just the right moment. With space to explore and the freedom to make her own choices, she’s learned to navigate the flock on her own terms - and that something fun (or delicious) might be happening around any corner.
Kai is a medium-sized parrot; the cost for her food, medicine, and toys is approximately $40 a month or $480 a year. If you would like to contribute to her health and well-being, please click. Thank you!
What you can do to help stop the cycle:
Don’t buy
Don’t buy from stores that sell birds. Every dollar supports the breeding and sale of parrots to people who may not be prepared, continuing the cycle. If you can, send a polite message explaining why you choose not to support it.
Educate
Before bringing a parrot home, learn what their care truly involves. This is a 15–70+ year commitment. Think about life changes—moving, family, health—and whether you can meet their needs through it all.
Research beyond basic handouts. Talk to rescues, seek reliable sources, and understand both the rewarding and challenging sides of the species.
Make sure you’re financially prepared. Even small parrots can cost $700–$1,000+ per year, not including emergencies.
If someone you know is considering a parrot, share this information. Awareness helps break the cycle.
Foster
If you have the experience and space, consider fostering. Many rescues are at capacity, and foster homes are critical to helping more birds.
Adopt
If you’re ready to commit, choose adoption. There are thousands of parrots in need of stable, lifelong homes.
#MAARS #Parrots #Sanctuary #Cockatoos #Nonprofit
