The Bird Lady: Meet the Saskatoon woman rescuing abandoned parrots

Walk through the side door of Janet Gibson’s home in Saskatoon, and you’ll step into a world alive with colour, sound and personality.

Birds fly freely overhead, some perched high on curtain rods, others chattering from their cages.

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Those familiar with Gibson lovingly refer to her as “The Bird Lady.”

Janet Gibson warns visitors to use the side door of her home rather than the front door. She owns nine birds who fly freely around the house, and is diligent about keeping them safely inside. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

With nine parrots under her care and countless others rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed through the Saskatoon Parrot Rescue, Gibson is the heart of an organization that sees far more feathered souls in need than most people would ever expect.

“It’s a huge issue, huge,” said Gibson, the president of the rescue. “There’s not enough education. You go to a store and purchase a parrot and there’s not much education given. They need proper housing, constant cleaning, body language reading, nutrition, vet checks… It’s a lot.”

That lack of knowledge often leads to heartbreak — for people and birds alike.

After losing her longtime mate, Bonnie the cockatoo began plucking out her own feathers — a sign of deep grief. Now in her late 40s, Bonnie is a striking example of how strongly parrots can bond, not just with other birds but with the people who care for them. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Many parrots are bought impulsively, only to be abandoned later when the reality sets in.

“Last week, we got two or three calls from landlords — renters moved out and, ‘Oh, they forgot their bird. They don’t come back,'” Gibson said. “Tonight, I’m picking up a 17-year-old cockatiel that was left behind.”

Jenny Tait, a board member for the rescue, sees the same troubling patterns. “People want a parrot that can talk automatically,” she said. “They go to Petland, buy a bird and if it doesn’t talk, they abandon it or let it fly away. It ends up in our care.”

Jenny Tait is a board member for the Saskatoon Parrot Rescue. She said responding to calls about lost or abandoned birds can be quite an adventure. “Last fall, I spent hours on Broadway, trying to find this little, tiny budgie. I was walking around with a net and a backpack and trying to catch it and playing budgie sounds on my phone.” (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Parrots, especially the larger species, are not short-term pets.

“A budgie, if treated right, can live seven to 10 years. A parrotlet can live 30 (years). The longest living cockatoo made it to 100 years old,” Gibson explained. “They live forever. And people think they’re disposable.”

Tait and Gibson say many people aren’t aware of the incredibly long lifespan of parrots. Even small birds, like Lizzie the parrotlet, can live to be up to 30. “The longest living cockatoo is 100 years old,” Gibson explained. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

That’s why the Saskatoon Parrot Rescue makes adopters “jump through hoops of fire,” as Gibson’s husband said.

The adoption process is thorough: applications, home checks, reference checks and meet-and-greets. And if you’re not sure?

“Try fostering first,” Gibson encourages. “With our adoptions, you get a week for the smaller birds, a few months for the bigger birds, just to make sure it’s the right fit. We don’t want that bird coming back. We want that healthy relationship.”

Both Gibson and Tait agree: research is everything.

For the Saskatoon Parrot Rescue, finding the right home is a priority. Potential adopters are encouraged to foster first, with a trial week for smaller birds and several months for larger ones — part of the rescue’s commitment to ensuring every bird lands in a home where it truly belongs. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

“When I was young, I wanted a cockatoo so bad,” Gibson recalled. “Now I have two, and I think — oh my gosh. If I’d gotten one back then, not knowing what I know now, it would’ve been bad for me and the bird.”

While these birds are a big responsibility, Gibson said parrots bring joy, companionship and laughter to their owners.

“They’re very entertaining,” she said, smiling. “Some cuddle. Some say, ‘I love you.’ They’re characters. Each one is different. Each one comes with a story.”

Gibson said many people are surprised to learn the amount of work required in caring for a parrot. Even ensuring the bird maintains a proper diet is a labour of love. “You can’t just feed them seed, which a lot of people think,” she said. “No, they need fresh fruits, fresh veggies.” (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

For Gibson, that story often begins with a late-night call.

“Her phone is always on,” Tait said fondly. “She’s The Bird Lady. She just wants to make sure the birds do well and find a good home.”

It’s not just a few calls. Gibson and the team receive 50 to 60 calls every year about lost or abandoned birds

And while others may forget, abandon or walk away, it’s The Bird Lady who always picks up the phone and offers these parrots a second chance.