Who are we?

We are Jim and Jean Gibson of Weatherford Texas. I am a retired nurse and Jim is a custom home builder.We live on five acres in the horse country of Weatherford Texas.

What do we do?

We accept any and all unwanted, deformed, abused and neglected pet birds. We have built a large aviary for many of the smaller birds to free fly. Others are in cages in our home and a separate building, where we office Jim's custom home building company. They are all fed, watered, interacted with daily, and warm, which is a critical factor this snowy winter. The aviary is heated as obviously the house and office are. Currently we have about forty parrots, macaws, amazons, love birds, cockatiels and conures. Some have broken wings that were never set, so they can't fly, a couple have spinal deformities so they can't walk, but fly like eagles. A few are missing toes and a foot. One is a feather plucker that has done permanent damage to areas of her body. Some are old breeder birds that are no longer productive, don't like people and just want to spend the rest of their lives peacefully. They are all welcome.

What is our experience?

About twenty years ago we were sub-permitees under Pierre and the late Ann Bradshaw of On the Wing Again. We handled transportation, flight conditioning, raise rats for raptor food and rehabbed song bird until release. We stopped doing wild birds for a couple of year until a chance encounter with an avian vet, who asked us to take an unwanted exotic bird. From that one has come the forty and there will be more.

What is next?

The recession has hit all of us and the birds. People that love their birds but can no longer afford the expensive care have to make sacrifices. They are parting with their birds. Breeders are finding a slower market and are reducing their flocks. Our personal resources are stretched, so we have to be sure that the birds are protected long term. So Jim and I have taken steps to create a Not For Profit organization for pet birds.

We are getting organized, building a team. Birdlink has been around for many years and will continue to add more information about care of your bird.In time we will have birds for adoption, foster care of special birds and our a pet therapy program. We will open our membership soon and have special fund raising programs so we can continue to care for these wonderful feathered friends. We will also be looking for volunteers to spend time with the birds to socialize them and do some cleaning.

Over the next few months one of our Board members will be filing for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Permit to rehab hawks, owls and songbirds. Birdlink has agreed to be a sub-permitee to aid in the rehab and care.

We are excited, so join us and be involved. We will keep a photo journal for all to see.

Jean B. Gibson
Weatherford, Texas USA