A Day at Santa Barbara Bird Farm
A Photo Essay
 
  Each day starts with the morning food preparation. Each day starts with the morning food preparation.  
 
This young Eclectus exercises his decision-making skills as he goes for the choicest breakfast morsels.
 This young Eclectus exercises his decision-making skills as he goes for the choicest breakfast morsels.  
  Two daring Greys decide to use the red chard for a leaf bathing diversion . . . Two daring Greys decide to use the red chard for a leaf bathing diversion . . .  
  . . . while a Blue and Gold takes her shower outside on a playgym. . . . while a Blue and Gold takes her shower outside on a playgym.  
  In the fledgling aviary, a young Congo experiments with guava branches . . . . In the fledgling aviary, a young Congo experiments with guava branches . . . .  
  . . . while the Scarlets help Phoebe construct an outdoor playgym of fresh juniper branches. . . . while the Scarlets help Phoebe construct an outdoor playgym of fresh juniper branches.  
  Inside the house, Margo Rose cuddles a baby yellow-naped Amazon while the Greys hitch a ride. Inside the house, Margo Rose cuddles a baby yellow-naped Amazon while the Greys hitch a ride.  
  Psittacine friend Lori Reilly Walton becomes a playgym for Alex, Sassy, and Jasmine. Psittacine friend Lori Reilly Walton becomes a playgym for Alex, Sassy, and Jasmine.  
  Nikki says it's snack time. Nikki says it's snack time.  
  These fledglings play a game called “Get Your Tummy.” These fledglings play a game called “Get Your Tummy.”  
  After breakfast, baths and playing, it’s time to tear up food. (pictured: ripe pyracantha berries) After breakfast, baths and playing, it’s time to tear up food. (pictured: ripe pyracantha berries)  
  Fully energized, the fledgling Blue and Gold executes a determined landing on the sofa. Fully energized, the fledgling Blue and Gold executes a determined landing on the sofa.  
  By dinner time, everyone is hungry again. Even small chicks like this Moluccan Cockatoo are fed hot and wet food morsels by hand. By dinner time, everyone is hungry again. Even small chicks like this Moluccan Cockatoo are fed hot and wet food morsels by hand.  
  The bigger birds, like these Greys and Greenwinged macaw, like to eat their dinners on the perch. The bigger birds, like these Greys and Greenwinged macaw, like to eat their dinners on the perch.  
  Little Sierra says cooked squash makes an excellent dinner. Little Sierra says cooked squash makes an excellent dinner.  
  By the end of the day, everyone is rightfully tired and ready for a good night’s sleep. By the end of the day, everyone is rightfully tired and ready for a good night’s sleep.  
With thanks to photographers Kelly Flynn, Chris Pinchbeck, Laura Price, Lori Walton, Margo Rose and Harry Linden.