Review of Parrot Mountain in Pigeon Forge, TN PHOTOS!

11-03-2007, 10:32 PM

sorry it took so long for me to get around to this, all!

so a few weeks ago, my husband and i took our anniversary trip up to pigeon forge/gatlinburg in TN. the colors were gorgeous, i just LOVE the mountains. i do hope to move somewhere in the mountains one day.

we visited parrot mountain and gardens on our first day there. overall, i think it was a nice enough place. when you first come in, there are about 6 macaws outside on stands. they look to be in great feather and i love that they are out in the open, yet out of reach of people. still, they didn't have much to keep them busy. only one chunk of hanging "log" per bird.

all of the cages were nice and clean, but a lot of them really saddened me. so many of the birds, though the looked healthy, looked miserably bored. most of the cages only had one toy, if any, as well as one perch. some birds were by themselves, i felt really bad for them. others, had companions and seemed more active. throughout the park, there were many birds on perches that seemed to be in much better cheer than the ones in the cages. there were a pair of caged eclectus that were just a riot and a half!

my favorite part was a large area of birds out on perches, that were all rescues. they were all very talkative, very playful, and were able to interact with guests (under supervision of the employees). i really liked what i saw in this area. a few cockatoos flirted with me

the lorikeet aviary was very nice. they let only a few people in at a time and it was well monitored. lories are so full of energy, i love it. there was also a small nursery with baby birds. they didn't allow children to handle the babies, which i was happy of. but some of the babies just seemed too young for "public" handling. they all seemed healthy and happy though. i snuggled with a mini macaw

the gift shop wasn't much to speak of. or so i though, until i saw a hyacinth macaw in a cage behind the jewelry counter. "bluie" seemed to be in great health and cheer. when i walked up to him, he was chewing on what looked to be a small stick. he dropped it, with a "CLANG!" and i realized there was a hole in the ceiling of his cage. he had just chewed one of the bars off!

also, all the birds (except bluie) seemed to be on a mostly sunflower seed diet. while i think that many of the birds there could be cared for better with little more effort, a lot of them seem very happy as well. i think the place is definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. it's really great to see the rescued birds out in the open. i am thinking about writing them a letter and letting them know that the birds could probably really benefit from some fun toys, even really simple ones. i think that alone would help the place out a lot!

now, enjoy the photos!

11-03-2007, 10:40 PM

PS, all of these photos are taken by my husband

11-03-2007, 10:53 PM

it really was a gorgeous day too!

11-03-2007, 11:02 PM

and that's the last of them!

11-03-2007, 11:54 PM

We said something about the seed mix, they told us it was only a treat when they were out. When we were in gattlingburg there was a pair of birds at a parking lot from there and they had the same seed in their bowl.
Jack

11-04-2007, 05:35 AM

What beautiful pix! FINALLY...a reason for me to go to the mountains! LOL. I'm so NOT the mountain man but more the beach boy. I might have to make a trip over there.
They look healthy. I know that when I've went to zoos and the like, it does take a conscientious effort to step away and enjoy God's gifts enclosed and in un-natural settings. They do look miserable sometime. But, when you can step back and observe them:
AREN'T THEY OVERWHELMING?!!
When a bird cocks it's head to one side and stares at you don't you wonder:
"is he as amazed by me as I am by him?"
Great pix. specially the lorikeet festival on your hands. LOL.
Good job Emily's photographer husband!
Mark

11-04-2007, 05:42 AM

Love the one with you covered with birds. Either you are as sweet as you sound or hubby put sugar on you for the pic.

11-04-2007, 05:53 AM

Than you for sharing your story and pictures. I am planning a trip south within the next year and will try to include Parrot Mountain. The birds are beautiful. You, too!!!!

11-04-2007, 09:49 AM

Your husband is an excellent photographer! I think too's are one of the most photogenic parrots. Thanks for sharing Emily!

11-04-2007, 12:22 PM

Great photos! LOL, I think hte lories like you!