Our Supervisors - Ruby and Rembrandt

Rembrandt and Ruby are typical, active macaws--squawking and talking as we scan and resize images. Ruby will dance up and down when a striking, colorful piece appeals to her and says ohhhhhh. They were both born in May of 1995 and were adopted at 3-months old.

Lady Rembrandt is a Hyacinth macaw and is a very large bird indeed. Known as the Rolls Royce of all parrot breeds, she stands out with her hyacinth blue color and bright yellow bands around her mandibles and eyes. She loves to cuddle and wrestle on her back. Yelling mama when she wants something or gets frightened (of her shadow no doubt !) is her norm. She weighs almost 3 pounds and is approximately 41" in length from head to tail. Some of her repertoire include hello (over & over & over :-) and burrrrrrrrr which she apparently learned at bath time. Yes, they both get weekly showers and blow dries. She will step up to your hand with the "UP" command and will visit with just about anyone who wants to hold her. She also knows how to wave hello and is performing the trick for you here.

Ruby is a Greenwing macaw and definitely has attitude ! She orders everyone around, including Remmie... that is... until Remmie's had enough and gives her a little reminder that she's a bit bigger. If there is chaos going on, Ruby is at the center and is usually screaming at the top of her lungs ! If you've ever had the experience of being in the same room as a screaming macaw having a great time, you already know that you'll be the first one to run from the room holding your ears! Ruby weighs 2 1/4 pounds and is 36" in length from head to tail. Her repertoire includes, hello, hi therrrrrre, welllllll hello, whistling at the pretty ladies, luv you and up up up when she wants to go somewhere. She scares everyone away with her growl technique -- which by the way, works most of the time ! And she's smart enough to know it ! She is very skeptical when it comes to new people (direct opposite of Remmie) and will use her "Growl Technique" at every turn. Even though she has this scare tactic, she is completely tame and will lie on her back in your arms like a baby. Both Remmie and Ruby trust most people because no one has ever been allowed to poke at them, tease them or give them any remote reason to be afraid of us. Birds just don't understand violence anyway. A stern look known as the "evil eye" will do a whole lot more than whopping the bird. And they both are smart enough to say bye-bye when someone is leaving the room or "night night love you" when they are retiring for the evening. They only use bye-bye in the context in which it should be used... which is amazing to realize that, yes, some birds can be quite intelligent.


They are spoiled and are out of their cages more than they are in them ! They start each morning with a warm breakfast and end with a warm dinner. They get fruits and veggies throughout the day and oatmeal with banana is Rembrandt's favorite food. American cheese and pizza are Ruby's favorites. Junk food is not good for them, but we indulge them occasionally. They usually refuse anything greasy but Ruby does enjoys a rib bone and scoops out the marrow from inside the bone.

A few more interesting tidbits about birds...

• If a bird is perched higher than your eye level, the bird is in the dominant position. Bad Move. When handling very large birds, it's best to have them well below your eye level because they can take advantage of a situation very quickly. Your eyes should always be looking downward toward the bird perched on your hand to ensure your dominant position.
  
  
• Birds will lead a very short life if you only feed them seed. They require a diet very similar to what we eat, except without all the junk food we consume! Both Remmie and Ruby will lead full productive lives well into their 80's if proper care is given throughout their lives. Rembrandt requires 10 macadamia nuts as part of her daily food since Hyacinth's need more protein in their diet.
  
  
• Birds are very smart indeed. Ruby is completely potty trained and will not dirty anywhere she's not allowed. Simply telling her "Do Your Thing", will produce the intended result. Lady Rembrandt is still working on this one but is trying. Hyacinths are known to mature a lot slower than other breeds.
  
  
• Birds go through most of the same phases as children do growing-up. They went through the "Terrible Two's" where they tested everything under the sun (including our patience levels) and they both turned 18 years old in May 2012. Puberty is reached at about 6-8 years of age.
  
  
• Bird experts indicate that chocolate and avocado will kill a bird, even in small amounts. Teflon is another no-no, so utmost care should always be taken when using non-stick teflon pans in the kitchen.
  
  
• Before adopting a bird as a pet, know well in advance, they are more work than one can imagine!