World Parrot Mission - Tourist Attraction (Closed)
Key Largo, Florida
Performing bird shows were once a mainstay of theme parks and roadside stands in Florida, and that popularity helped fuel the explosion of parrots as pets, sometimes owned by ill-informed and irresponsible humans. A critical goal of Jenifer Dermer's World Parrot Mission is to "help homeless, helpless parrots" through education and direct care.
The World Parrot Mission is a non-profit aviary rescue organization, sharing space provided by an art gallery (selling bronze statues and fountains). Jenifer directs the volunteer organization, and uses her training in psychology to address the emotional and intellectual needs of mistreated parrots. Many were rescued from lives spent confined in cages, where they became despondent, depressed, even angry. Neglected parrots may compulsively pluck out their own feathers.
The World Parrot Mission can't take in everyone, so it provides educational outreach, information and consultation on bird care.
Some of the birds even perform -- though not like a trained show at a tourist attraction, but more as typical lively avian activity. The Mission is open to the public on Thursday afternoons, when the birds may be seen playing basketball, singing and solving puzzles.
Note: When the temperature drops below 70 degrees, the public hours are canceled. Too cold for a parrot trying to grow back feathers!