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The Bird
Lady of Santa Clarita
If you imagine an elderly woman feeding pigeons from a park bench, think again. Twenty-three year old Jill Bernards breeds and hand raises Macaws, Amazons, Cockatoos and other exotics. I had the privilege of meeting some of these remarkable creatures. I didn't know what to expect as I rang the doorbell that morning. I suppose I expected a scene out of Ace Ventura Pet Detective, but was relieved and slightly disappointed to learn that most of Jill's more than forty birds reside at a nearby ranch owned by her parents.
Breeding parrots is a hobby that requires time and money. In addition, hand-raised babies need to be fed every two to four hours. Jill takes her babies everywhere she goes including the Newhall Pet Center where she has worked for seven years, and to Pierce College where she studied veterinary medicine for a time. She chose not to pursue that career, however, because of the emotional stress of dealing with sick animals. "A lot of people wait until the last minute to take [their bird] to the vet so it is beyond savable. I don't like that." she said. A great deal of commitment is needed to own a pet bird. Many species of parrots can live up to forty years or longer and require regular veterinary care. Yet most bird owners will confess it's difficult to own just one. They're addicting. As I watch Jill snuggle with two adorable baby Cockatoos, I can understand why. |
As we sat down to talk, I was greeted
by the demure "hello" from Coke-a-moe, a five year old Senegal. I thought
for a moment of interviewing him but instead addressed my questions to Jill. Here
among her flock of feathered friends, this soft-spoken young woman came alive. Her
passion for these "little people" was readily apparent as she gently preened
the feathers of Lancelot, a Sulfur-crested Cockatoo whom she raised from the egg.
"Hello Lancelot, is all she can say," remarked Jill about the affectionate
Cockatoo. "[Birds] are social animals... and to have them talk to you in your
own language is really cool." Jill's close friend, who owns an African Grey,
agreed. "There's no pet that can compare."![[Curl]](../images/curl.jpg)