07/28/2026
HELA: Every Parrot Deserves a Flock
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The other day, while scrolling through social media, I came across a post advertising several juvenile White-fronted Amazons for "rehoming" (for sale). Since White-fronted Amazons are relatively uncommon in the pet trade, seeing several young birds available at once immediately made me wonder where they had come from. Were they victims of the illegal wildlife trade?
White-fronted Amazons hold a special place in my heart and as I looked at the photo, I couldn't help but notice the fear and stress in their young, innocent eyes. It was heartbreaking to imagine what they may have already endured if they had been smuggled across the border, taken from the wild, and thrust into a frightening world they could never have understood. Sadly, it was a reminder that the illegal parrot trade is still very real. If you see posts that look suspicious, report them.
Over the years, The Oasis Sanctuary has welcomed several juvenile White-fronted Amazons that were confiscated at the international border after being illegally trafficked. One of them was Hela, who arrived in 2020 at just under a year old. We chose the name Hela, meaning "hope," because that's exactly what we wanted his future to represent.
To keep this frightened young bird under control, his captors had severely clipped his wings and removed his tail feathers. It took months for his feathers to molt and regrow before he could finally fly again. During that time, Hela was fostered in the home of Oasis Executive Director Janet, where he learned something he had likely never experienced before, safety.
Like any youngster, Hela was playful, curious, mischievous, and full of energy. Watching him fledge as his new feathers grew in was a beautiful reminder of how resilient parrots can be when given patience, compassion, and the chance to simply be a bird.
As Hela matured into a confident, handsome young Amazon, it became time for the next important step in his journey, finding his flock.
In the wild, parrots rarely live alone. They are deeply social animals that spend their lives surrounded by family and flock mates. At The Oasis, we offer the opportunity to build those same relationships again. Finding a flock is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. Sometimes it takes months of careful introductions and endless patience. Other times, the right companions seem to find each other almost immediately. Parrot social dynamics can be surprisingly complex, even within a small group.
We introduced Hela, along with another juvenile White-front named Mila, to a small flock that already included Chaco and Peeper, a much older bonded pair. We honestly didn't know how the seasoned residents would react to two energetic youngsters moving into "their" aviary.
There were a few squabbles at first, as expected, but Hela and Mila were young, agile flyers who could quickly avoid any disagreements. Slowly, the four birds settled into life together, establishing their own social rhythm.
Today, this little flock continues to thrive.
As White-fronted Amazons mature, their beautiful plumage becomes even more striking, with brilliant shades of green accented by splashes of red, white, and blue. Hela's head feather color arrangement is much different than Mila, that's how we tell them apart. Mila's white feathers resemble soft curling ocean waves while Hela's blue is more pronounced. They may be one of the smaller Amazon species, but they have wonderfully oversized personalities that fill an aviary with curiosity, chatter, and playful antics. When you step into their aviary, Mila or Hela will likely land on your head looking for a treat!
Every time I think back to those frightened young birds I saw online, I pray they found safety before it was too late and given the chance to be a bird.
Because every parrot deserves more than survival.
They deserve to spread their wings.
They deserve companionship.
They deserve to find their flock.
Because of your loving support, we're so grateful that Hela, Mila, Chaco, and Peeper found their flock here at The Oasis.
Kindly,
The Oasis Team
https://the-oasis.org/donate/
