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Dave's first Project Bird!
🕑 Added 2020-06-01 14:07:33 +0000 UTCYes, you read that right. And if you were on last month's live chat you already know the big news! (Yay for live chat perks!)
If you feel like you recognize this bird or this image, it's because this macaw was featured in a story I did about a hoarding situation: SAVE THE PARROTS where I was helping to raise money and awareness for two parrot rescues: Ronie's For the Love of Birds and SWEAR.
When COVID-19 hit, our magic business pretty much stopped dead in its tracks. It was one of those blessings in disguise for us because Dave has struggled with back problems and pain his entire life and although we've sought help here and there, we've never been able to get him consistent help from the same doctors on a regular basis because of our travel schedule. Being home allowed for that for the first time since he was about 21 years old. In the midst of his treatment, he felt more helpless than ever before (he was receiving treatment for his back daily, and was not allowed to go on walks for more than 15 minutes at a time at its worst point.)
During this, he reached out to Ronie's Rescue as they were struggling with being bombarded with even more birds due to the lack of understanding at the time and they were also hit with the restrictions of not being able to adopt out any birds whatsoever. They had just taken on the birds from the hoarding situation and had committed to another building for the proper quarantine measures... so they were under a lot of stress. Many of you may remember we held a fundraiser for them but Dave wanted to do more.
So he asked Ronie's, "Which bird is your WORST case? Which bird has zero chance of being adopted right now?"
And as soon as the Idaho/Utah borders opened up, Dave went to get him. Sunny is a blue and gold macaw that came from that hoarding situation, and is probably the first project bird we've worked with with severe anxiety.
I will be sharing behind the scenes videos here on Patreon of Sunny's journey (a deeper look into the struggles and how we overcome them) as well as photos, and you will also be the first to see Sunny's videos before they are posted on YouTube. Dave will be doing all the training with Sunny, and documenting of it. There's no real schedule for the production of it, it'll just come out as it gets done on Dave's end (Dave's editing style takes much longer to produce content than mine!)
But I wanted you guys to be the first to know about Sunny so we can start sharing tid-bits with you all (Bondi tier and above).
Oh, and he has a butcher of a wing clip and appears to pluck due to his anxiety. To our knowledge he has not flown but does not necessarily lack all the muscles to do so (he can be seen often holding his wings up) so we are hopeful flight will someday be in his future.
Looking forward to sharing his transformation with you! Happy June, thanks for being a patron and supporting projects like Sunny. He will likely be a long-term project bird because of how much he has to overcome. It's because of your support here on Patreon that we can even consider a long term project bird, so thank you so much.
Comments
Cori Klosterman
So excited for this series! I can't wait to see Sunny's transformation. Glad Dave is taking him on.
Tempie Elder
Dave, will you be able to get through all of this with Sunny without, at least occasionally, asking for assistance from Jamie and Capri? 😂 I simply cannot wait to see this transformation because all of us supporters already know that if anyone can do it, it’s Dave. I feel honored and privileged to be able to share in Sunny’s journey. Thank y’all for the experience.
Jennifer Perez
So excited about this! I see birds in these situations all the time and some rescues wont adopt them out because they feel there is no real fix for them. I really think the right training, bonding and time can make these birds happier and have a better quality of life. Thank you Dave for taking this project on despite having health issues. I truly admire both you and Jamie for all that you do.
Beckie Child
I hope your back gets better, Dave!
Beckie Child
When do we get to see a video? So excited!
~ksc~
So excited for this lil guy!!
Kim Rose
Awesome!! How amazing that you can step in and help , looking forward to watching the progress 😊
JESSICA R SULLIVAN
Good luck, Dave and Sunny.
Dave Womach
Pretty overwhelmed by the response so far! :). Can't wait to share his progress!
Dave Womach
Thanks! :). He's doing really well so far!
Alex Rose
Omg I am so excited!! I can't wait to see how this journey goes. I am so happy that this bird got put in your hands! ❤
Jacqueline Gedye
I hope Sunny is young enough to overcome his/her issues. He will never forget but hopefully will come round with Dave’s care and training, he looks to have really suffered.After watching the lovely video of your macaw it’s hard to accept what a different life Sunny has had. Hope Dave’s back issue improves, take care, stay well.
BirdTricks
I didn't end up getting Bean today, hopefully tomorrow... she offered to bring him in the evening and I prefer to have all day with a new bird so hoping I can nab him tomorrow morning! Will definitely be this week!
Planted Seeds
So you have sunny and bean as project birds now? So excited 😆
Kyila Sninsky
Thank goodness you are working with this poor guy. Good luck!
Victoria Karpinski
I wish you much success. You are very special. Lucky, lucky Sunny
Leia Gibson
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💙💛💙
Petra Kentrop
Excited to hear about the progress as time goes. I have no doubt that Dave is the man for the job. :)
Rosanna Lam
Dave chose one hell of a bird to be his first! Good luck, Dave! 🍀
Evita Westwood
This is such exciting news! I wish Sunny could know how lucky he is to be in your care. I’m looking forward to watching Dave work with him and seeing Sunny’s progress 😊
John E Rice
God bless you BOTH for the important work that you are doing. If there’s anyone out there that can help bring back a bird like Sunny it’s Dave. Best of luck with the new project. By the way, I sympathize with Dave’s back trouble. I’m about to turn 54 and I’ve had terrible back/spinal trauma my entire life. I’m not a candidate for surgery and it’s so bad that I can no longer walk without a rolling walker! But that’s me and it’s due to my having been morbidly obese for my entire life. I’ve taken over 120lbs off but there are multiple spinal and hip problems that still cause me severe pain. I think it’s great that Dave has a chance of addressing these now, when he’s young. Believe me. You don’t want to wait till later. 🙂 John R. Dogman7x@gmail.com Chicago, IL
Guy Goldstein K
YES!!!! i’m sure this is gonna be very rewarding to watch their progress. GOOD LUCK DAVE!!!!
Gabby Klinge
Can’t wait to watch this journey, you guys are seriously amazing! 💚💙❤️
Tami Palin
It will be exciting to watch his progress. and it's also wonderful that Dave was able to get help for his back! Back issues are so seriously debilitating!
Kait Hudnall
I know sunny will be in great hands! Happy to help and can’t wait to see updates!
Jen Perry
I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to know that my support as a patron is also helping the birds that need you and Dave the most. This is an unexpected and wonderful benefit to supporting BirdTricks on Patreon. I look forward to watching Bean's and Sunny's journeys.
Elizabeth Rowe
This is amazing. So excited to meet this guy and watch the progress.
