I had spent my childhood summers on my grandparent’s farm in southern Illinois, and I had always felt I should have been a farmer. Living in Chicago just didn’t lend itself to that opportunity. As a child and much against my grandparent’s warnings, I was forever bringing home baby birds that had fallen from nests. My grandfather especially would explain how baby birds could not survive with out their parents.  More often than not he was right, and they would die, no matter how hard I tried.  And now, every time I go to pull baby birds from their nests, I hear my grandfather’s stern voice echoing in my ears and my heart pounds.  But by some miracle, I am now able to nurture, and guide these fragile babies into adulthood. 

We moved to Florida in 1980.  Up until that time, I didn’t even know people kept birds as pets, except for parakeets. Of course once established here, I met all sorts of people that owned birds.  They owned every bird imaginable, from finches to hyacinth macaws. I found them fascinating, and became quite interested in these captive wild animals.

I was at a pet shop in Florida when my eyes fell upon a parrot in a cage. I sucked in my breath and I know my heart stopped for just a fraction of a second. Something had touched my soul and the connection that changed my entire life, had just been made.  There sat an African grey in all his majestic splendor.  At this point, I realized, parrots were not just something I was interested in.  The African greys, with their magic, were to be a part of my life forever. I would be a farmer, well sort of, after all.

I immediately joined a breeder’s bird club near me; as a matter of fact I joined about seven bird clubs in Florida. My education was fast in coming.  I met wonderful breeders that had been breeding for many years.  These were people willing to share many experiences, good and bad.  I was introduced to some of the most caring people in the world. The more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I went to any and all conferences that I could possibly afford. I was on my way. 

For some mysterious reason, I never ventured from the continent of the species that captured my soul. I remained interested only in the African Parrots. In the back of my mind I knew, I would someday, know these wondrous creatures as if I were part of them.  I would understand their breeding, their needs, their nurturing, their chicks, and their social structure. My love began in January of 1984 and I am still learning today.. Every day they show me something new, something exciting.

     Please click on the "eyecon" to go to Jean's story about greys complete with cartoons