Skegness Magazine

Barney the Deformed Macaw Parrot

Barney is a blue and gold Macaw parrot. He was mistreated by his owners and was kept in a small cage barely suitable for a budgie. He is now permenantly deformed and unable to stand upright.
Fortunately, Barney was rescued and brought to the National Parrot Sanctuary at Friskney, where he is looked after and given the freedom he deserves.

This is Jacob, a green winged Macaw. He was being kept in a caravan before being transfered to the National Parrot Sanctuary. Jacob is Barney’s best friend. The two are inseparable. Jacob is very protective over Barney, and will attack if anyone approaches him. Barney is too fragile to mix with the other parrots in the sanctuary.

Jacob watching over Barney.

The National Parrot Sanctuary is in Friskney which is about 10 miles south of Skegness.

Steve Nichols (above) is the founder of the National Parrot Sanctuary.
He told us that he started the parrot sanctuary in 1994, when he realized that the rescued birds were going to need long term care away from a pet or breeding situation. The present sanctuary was opened to the general public five years ago, and it is open 365 days a year, including Christmas Day.
“The parrots still need feeding on Christmas Day”, he added.
Steve said that the sanctuary now houses over 900 parrots, covering 80 different species, and that they are the only recognized parrot sanctuary in the United Kingdom.

It is certainly well worth a visit.
The visitor gets a great day out and in doing so, helps the sanctuary to look after the parrots!
photo above: one of the staff at the National Parrot Sanctuary.
Another photo of Barney.

Many of the birds are perched around the centre totally unconfined.
The visitors can hold and stroke them.

This parrot is pecking at an ice lollipop. (well it was a hot day)
Say “thank you”, the lady encouraged.
“Thank you!”, the parrot repeated.

This parrot was enjoying a cuddle from a visitor.
Some of the parrots were very tame:

This chappie couldn’t wait for lunchtime - he began eating his perch, tearing the wood as if it were paper, with its strong beak!

The National Parrot Sanctuary has a ‘walk through’ aviary which you can see in the video.

Video contains interview with Steve Nichols, the founder of the National Parrot Sanctuary.
A note from the Webmaster before you view - the parrots in this video are adorable.
However, the video is NOT intended to promote the birds as pets.
It IS intended to promote the sanctuary that looks after the birds which were bought as pets but have since been mistreated or abandoned.

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