Adopting a TARA Bird

We must emphasize that, though it's rare, we sometimes will not place birds with individuals who have taken Parrot Care classes and want to adopt. We find people for birds, not birds for people; our first concern is the welfare of our rescued birds.

If you are not in Arizona, you can find a rescue/adoption organization that is closer to you on our links page, which lists dozens of rescue/adoption organizations throughout the country.

Our adoption process starts with the Parrot Care class. This will let you know what is involved in adopting a TARA bird, and how to properly care for a bird. Rescued birds usually come with baggage that can be light or heavy (that is, complicated). Your living situation as well as your avian experience will help us match a parrot to you.

The fee for the Parrot Care class is $45 per family, and if any members of your family cannot attend the class, they can attend a later class at no additional charge. Parrot Care is a 6-hour class that is held once a month (occasionally twice a month — when we have a class in Phoenix) on weekends. For info on the next parrot care class, see our Class & Events page or call 747-0554.

Adoption Fees

• Budgies: $25

• Lovebirds and Cockatiels: $75

• Ringnecks, Conures, Quakers: $175

• Poicephalus, Pionus, Alexandrines, and Lories: $250

• Small Amazons (White Fronts, Lilac Crowns, Mexican Red Heads, etc.): $300

• Greys, Eclectus, Mini-Macaws, Goffin and Bare-Eyed Cockatoos, and Large Amazons (Yellow Napes, Double Yellow Heads, Blue Fronts): $350

• Macaws and Large Cockatoos: $400

We do a battery of tests on all birds who do not come to us with a very recent medical check up. Our avian vet works with us to determine which tests a bird will need, depending on the species and the health condition of the bird.

We do not "warehouse" birds at TARA, and we never know what kind of birds will be coming to us. So sometimes it will seem to take forever until we contact you if you want a specific species.

All incoming birds are fostered out (after a vet check) to caring volunteers who observe the birds, and sometimes rehabilitate them, and so smooth their transition to a new home.

In choosing the foster home, we try to find a family that is interested in adopting the bird. In order to make sure that a match is good, potential adopters normally foster a bird at least two months prior to adopting.

If for any reason after adoption the arrangement is not working, the bird comes back to TARA, and fees paid are not refundable. This is unusual, however, as we do our best to find good matches and we offer support if problems arise.

If you wish to begin the application process, please call us at 520-747-0554, or write to us at admin(at)tarafoundation(dot)com">. We find good homes for over 100 birds every year, and usually have 5 to 15 birds available for adoption at any given time, ranging from tiny lovebirds, budgies and cockatiels to majestic amazons, macaws and cockatoos.

Thank you for considering giving a home to a bird who really needs it.