Am I that "crazy bird lady"?

Okay, several of my kids, nieces and nephews have jokingly called me "crazy bird lady" over the years but recently my mother called me something similar. I think her phrase was "one of those people". She meant well, I think she was trying to encourage me but it really made me think. Is that how people really see me? I have had my own parrots and taken in others that were "special" and couldn't find a home. Now, I foster birds and bird sit when asked. Deciding how many birds are too many is a topic that is ongoing with many rescues here in the U.S.

So how many birds are too many birds? I have my personal opinion on this - it depends on the size of the home and the hours available to provide the kind of care and attention each parrot in the home needs. In other words, it isn't written in stone but it does have some boundaries. I was surprised to find out that some other bird people didn't agree with me. Some have told me that as long as the birds have clean cages, fresh food and water that the number of birds shouldn't matter. I'm not sure I agree with that. I am not talking about large sanctuaries or rescues that have on site facilities with many helpers. I am simply talking about people's homes.

Just to be clear - I am not saying that I judge people who have ten birds in their house (or whatever number) but I am saying that I think there probably is a limit to the quality of life that we can provide once the number of birds reaches a certain place. I guess that is why I think it is so important to promote fostering and have as many foster homes available as you can.

Right now, barring some emergency, I am at my personal limit. I have eight birds in the house (one is a temporary guest). Again, I am not saying what each person's limit is -- I am just saying that there is one.

Jasmine (one of my flock) and Kovak (a temporary guest who is also a rescue bird)..