You've got to see it to believe it!
The Trained Alexandrines have been performing faithfully for 15 years here at Parrots In Paradise, and prior to that we traveled all over for 5 years.
They have happily worked for many bus groups and visitors over the years. In that time we used positive reinforcement, rewarding them with praise and treats after a trick. Our parrots were never punished when they did not perform.
Knowing the birds are having a ball is great fun for the young and old. The bird's ability to solve puzzles and evidence of cognitive thought has to be seen to be believed.
But time has taken it's toll on not only the parrots but also on the humans.
So it was decided to do one final show for a professional vidographer in order to capture all of the show in spite of our losing one of our parrot team to a stroke and another to cataracts.
The Videographer was able to cobble in the missing performers tricks thanks to old videos.
So now when you visit you get the show in it's entirety. Nothing is missed.
We can do nothing about Lena who was taken by the stroke. But Kelele, who has cataracts will, once he is fully blind, will be given an eye operation, because this bird gave faithfully of himself for 20 years, and he will likely live at least the same again, so he deserves to be able to see in that time. So we are saving to get the $4000 for his operation.
For Bookings and info
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
To enjoy the very best experience,
when booking PLEASE allow yourself at least two hours for your visit
so you can see and do everything.
GALLERY
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Watch two excellent videos to find out more about the bird show, what to expect on your tour of the Sanctuary and the activities we do here. Go>
Whoppa, an Eclectus parrot who's full of fun and sometimes a bit cheeky. Whoppa wants everyone to know who he is! He is a big star here at the Sanctuary.
Watch the videos of him counting, singing his own song and much more, plus a few bonus videos of his mates. Go>
The story of baby Jo, our first Macaw baby. We waited seven years for the mum and dad to have this lovely baby. Go>
Princess's story and video
Princess joined our family in 2002 she made the seventh member of the Alexandrine team at that time.
It was quickly apparent that she was “imprinted” this means she would have no interest in other birds and wanted to bond with a human. She quickly favored me, and she needed a name change to Princess, mostly because it had to be her way or no way.
It was at this time I started to train the Alexandrines to see how much they were willing to learn. Daily they amazed me with their love of learning and how they would show total interest in their lessons.
Over time we developed a little show, each bird showing off their special skills, sometimes in groups or singly.
Princess blossomed she loved to dress up, she wanted to be in almost each act. She really enjoyed the merry-go-round.
She was a Lieutenant in the army, putting the troupes through the assault course with her Sargent. Her Sargent and her would enjoy a drink in the mess together.
Her floral art items were a picture.
Princess also was a gymnast with dreams of representing Australia in the Olympics some day.
Her modeling career was one of her highlights because she loved to show off her fluffy shoulders that we would colour blue and she would sit happily getting her nails painted, ( we never told her the varnish was actually made for dogs) she had some very special gowns she loved, and wouldn’t share them with any of the other models.
All the team that eventually were 12 members enjoyed the Fire fighters part, rushing to get to the buildings, some like Princess on the Fire Engines and the tight rope to get everyone to safety, then to swoop down on the flying fox in the grand finale.
Apart from the show Princess while she did not have a partner was very involved in rearing babies, she helped when they needed rearing, she helped to show them how to feed themselves. While she was mostly keen on the Alexandrine babies, she would also help out with Indian Ring Necks and Eclectus and one of the Baby Macaws.
Princess never had a cage, she had a stand and her very special PINK nest box with her name on the top, and a pink feather boa around it ( Till it fell apart) for 20 years she shared my bedroom and not once did she ever go to the toilet in the house, always waiting to go outside to go to the toilet. While she didn’t really talk she did wolf whistle and had the sweetest “Hello”.
She was devoted to me and scared most of the staff , she was bossy.
Princess passed away on the operating table 14th Feb 2022 she will be terribly missed by myself and the rest of the team at Parrots in Paradise.
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Dail Malins.
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