During his teenage years Michael raised Zebra Finches, Budgies, Cockatiels & Lovebirds. It was until Bird Heaven Aviaries was founded that both he and Justin decided to try their luck at raising the larger birds. They always had an interest in the larger birds and it wasn't until Bandit, Justin's infamous loudmouth African Grey who thinks he's a celebrity came into their lives that the decision to raise bigger parrots was cemented. Bandit was Justin's first Parrot. Growing up in Melbourne Australia, Justin spent almost 7 years working in the Restaurant Industry before making the decision to move to California. Working long hours managing a seafood restaurant, he never really had time pets. He did however have his infamous Calico Cat "Lizze Birdsworth" who took delight in attacking his legs in the dark when Justin would come home from work after a long day. For those that know Justin, one of his favorite TV show's back in Australia was "Prisoner - Cell Block H" Lizzie Birdsworth was an elderly prisoner on that show who was always and forever getting into things. When Justin was looking for a name for his cat he would watch as she would get into everything she possibly could and it was then that he decided on Lizzie as a name.
What started out as a hobby has now turned in Justin's fulltime job. While Michael is off working his other job, Justin is here working away with the birds. It's not all Justin's doing though. Michael loves to spend time with babies and being that he works nights now, even takes some of the really young ones to work in their brooders so that he is able to feed them during the night, thus allowing Justin to get more than 4 hours of sleep a night. Raising everything from Mutation Zebra Finches, Parrotlets, Cockatiels, Conures all the way up to Macaws Bird Heaven Aviaries has come a long away since it's beginning in 2000. Bird Heaven Aviaries is Justin & Michael's livelihood and they truly do put their hearts into the birds and the care their breeders recieve and all the love and attention that the babies get. Along with their babies, they also have companion birds. They have 2 African Greys, Bandit & Vincent, a Mollucan Cockatoo Riley & Rico their Blue & Gold Macaw. Justin & Michael have from time to time taken in other birds as well. During the spring of 2006 we were asked if we would be interested taking in 4 birds that needed to be rehomed. After a few months of talking with the family who had the birds it was decided that they would come and stay with us. Driving up to Sacramento to collect them Justin & Michael rented a Uhaul truck to bring all the cages and stuff back along with brand new carriers so the birds will be comfortable in the 3 hour drive back to Selma. Sebastian, Echo, Kio, Kobe & 2 Lovebirds Pico & the adorable Jazz have been here for just over a year now and all are doing well. With the exception of Jazz the lovie none of the other could really be handled and even though we spent the best part of 6 months working with these guys it was obvious that they prefferred avian company to humans. So we set about purchasing mates for all of them and they're all still here with their respective partners enjoying life with their large new cages. Justin & Michael never resell a bird that has been entrusted to their care.
Along with the birds Justin & Michael also make toys for birds conure sized & up. They use them not only for their weaning babies but also their breeder birds too. Their toys are available at the bird marts they attend as well. The toys are made from various bird safe parts including Stainless Steel hardware, Paulie Rope,& a host of other bird safe parts. The wood they use is cut, sanded & dyed here using Vitacritter Dyes.
Having a parrot as a companion is a truly challenging thing but ultimately incredibly rewarding. Justin and Michael do their absolute best to ensure that you get the most out of your baby. Their babies are well socialized with Men, Women & children as well as other birds.They have so much fun sharing their lives with their own companion birds and truly love being able to share that joy with other people.
Justin & Michael are dedicate to providing not just their babies but their breeder birds as well with the excpetional care that parrots truly deserve.
