'Marvellous' macaws mix merrily with residents
Residents of a dementia care home in Plymouth were charmed to receive a visit from two Macaws, brought in to visit them by Adrian Lowther of Plymouth Parrots
The visit by Toni, a 17-year-old blue and gold macaw, and five-year-old Zazu, a green winged macaw, to Butterfly Lodge in St Budeaux was arranged by Tania Dorey whose father, Davis Harris, lives at the home.
Tania liaised with Plymouth Parrots and organised the visit as a treat for her dad and the other residents, and a ‘thank you’ to staff for the care they provide.
Kelly Tennant, activities co-ordinator for Butterfly Lodge said: “Our residents called them ‘marvellous’ birds and were delighted to get up-close and personal with them.
“Toni and Zazu were very gentle. They were happy to sit on residents’ arms or shoulders and be stroked as well.
“They are really beautiful birds and it was a proper novelty for our ladies and gents to host them for the afternoon.
“A big thank you goes from all of us to Tania for her kindness in organising the visit, and to Adrian for his time and patience.”
The visiting macaws are part of a group of four parrots owned by Adrian Lowther which also includes a one-year-old blue fronted Amazon parrot and a 10-year-old African grey parrot.
Adrian has been keeping parrots, including many rescue birds, for over 17 years, and can often be found out and about in Plymouth with one or more of them, in locations such as the Hoe, The Moors by the Rock, Central Park, or the Barbican.
Adrian describes Zazu as very energetic and playful while Toni, who he has owned the longest, is a very sociable bird who really enjoys the company of other his other birds.
Macaws are large, colourful parrots, native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, with playful and exuberant personalities, and they sometimes prove too demanding for unsuspecting purchasers unused to parrot-keeping, which is why they can end up as rescue birds.
Adrian has set up a fundraising page to help finance the birds’ food, toys and vet bills, which can be found here: https://gofund.me/e13c31a5
Butterfly Lodge, a purpose-built care home in St Budeaux, is one of four dementia care homes run by specialist care provider Camelot Care. The others are in Bridgwater, Wellington and Yeovil.
Photo: Resident Ivy Christopher-Walsh with Toni and Zazu
