I first met the bird man of the Osa over 15 years ago. At that time, I was living in Puerto Jimenez at one of John’s apartments close to Cabinas Jimenez. Every morning, I would walk past the Cabinas Jimenez hotel, and a green Amazon parrot would fly over my head.
Befriending the Amazon parrot
The green Amazon parrot would follow me to town. I would stop at the bakery, and the parrot would wait until I was done. Then I would go to the grocery store, and the parrot would fly above me. I would do my shopping and start going home. Mr Parrot would follow me as far as the trees at Cabinas Jimenez and would stay in the tree.
This went on for over a week. Then one day, the Amazon parrot followed me home. Mr Parrot would hang on my outdoor clothesline. Finally, it flew into my apartment and landed on a fan.
What to feed the Parrot.
Why the Parrot picked me out of all the people, to this day, is a mystery. By now, the parrot was taking naps on my chest as I watched TV. I had no idea what to feed it. I walked down to Cabinas Jimenez, and to my surprise, the bird man of the Osa Peninsula happened to be staying at the hotel.
Patrick Dunn, The Birdman of the Osa Peninsula.
I told my story to Patrick Dunn about the parrot that befriended me, and what should I feed it?
Patrick told me that seeds, vegetables, and fruit are what I should feed the bird. Then he said the parrot picked me for several reasons. Once again, I was clueless but very grateful to have a feathery friend as a roommate.
History of my Parrot
Patrick Dunn told me everything about my parrot
Your bird at Cabinas Jimenez is a local Amazon parrot by the name of Red-lored Amazon. There’s five subspecies. CR has one and there four others further South. It’s one of only two amazons we have here on the Osa. The other is the Mealy Amazon or Blue-crowned Mealy. There are two other Amazon species further North. The Yellow-naped and White-fronted Amazon. There are 27 species in the genus Amazona. All are endemic to the New World.
The Birdman of the Osa Peninsula. Over 60 years of knowledge
Patrick told me the history of his love for birds, going back to when he was in high school and getting his first Macaw, which he still has today, 60 years later.
My first bird was a Magpie in Northern California. But I got into pheasants in my early teens. Taught myself taxidermy by 13. First parrot was (still is) “Freets,” a military macaw I got in high school in 1973. I got him from a family who had him for 15 years in Mexico. I have now had him since 1973. 52 years, plus the15 years they had him, makes him 67 years old accounted for. But they did not know how old he was when they acquired him. Theoretically, he could be older than me! He’s the first thing I check when my eyes open every morning to see he is still perched.
Labor of Love.
Some people know from childhood what they want to do; Patrick Dunn is one of those people. He has devoted his life to his passion for birds, along with insects.
A true Bird lover
The Birdman of the Osa Peninsula has documented 3342 birds out of the 10200 birds in the world. What that means to you is a vast local knowledge of the Birds on the Osa Peninsula.
Owner-operator at Serengeti Photo Safaris.
Former bird keeper in the tropical bird house. Houston, Texas.
Former bird keeper at the Miami Metro Zoo.
Former director, general curator at Kauai Zoological Gardens.
Current owner-operator of Ave Azul de la Osa. Endangered species breeding facility for birds.
In 1992, the Birdman of the Osa bought 92 hectares, or 250 acres. For an endangered species breeding facility. At Patrick’s farm, he breeds the endangered Hyacinth Macaw along with other endangered species.
Hyacinth Macaws.
The birds I chose to work with needed work themselves. They still do. I chose the hyacinth macaw as a flagship species and the one I chose to focus on. Over the last 40+ years, I have managed to breed 49 offspring, translating to four generations, which, to my knowledge, has never been done before. This contributes to the worldwide effort and total number of specimens in the world. The species tends to run long in males, so unrelated females have become highly sought after. I never “surplus” a specimen until it’s sex has been determined and reproductive potential assessed. But even if a certain bird like Buki-two, the bird you saw here, does not go into a breeding program, he still is very important in education and his status as an am ambassador for his species’ plight. There are only a handful of hyacinths in Costa Rica
Youtube of Hyacinth Macaws. https://www.aveazuldelaosa.com/
Blue and gold Macaw
While the blue and gold Macaw is not on the endangered list, it is losing its habitat. In Trinidad and Paraguay, the blue-and-gold macaw is endangered, with breeding programs happening. It is losing habitat in wide spread amazonia.
YouTube of https://www.aveazuldelaosa.com/ Blue and gold Macaw.
Kookaburra
Here at Ave Azul, we have a “gang of six” Kookaburra birds devoted to a captive breeding program, and their slightly demented and maniacal little laughs can be heard every morning at 4:30 a.m.sharp when all six birds of the gang seem to detonate simultaneously in a cacophony of laughter.
Freets Patricks first macaw
Freets a military macaw. Patrick’s first Macaw. It is at least 70 yrs old
Last week, a buddy and I went to visit Patrick at his bird sanctuary. He told us that there are only 2500 Hyacinth Macaws left in the wild. One of the birdman of the Osa sayings is. Extinction is forever; endangered means we still have time!
Ave Azul de la Osa has trails that you can walk and look for over 450 different bird species on the Osa Peninsula. In one day, Patrick has counted over 150 different birds on his farm
Becoming legal with the Costa Rica government.
Costa Rica has very strict rules about having wild animals in captivity. Even though the birds were Patrick’s, he brought them to Costa Rica. The red tape and paperwork were never-ending. At one point, many people left their positions, and Patrick had to start all over with new government people. After three years, the Costa Rica government gave him permission to operate his breeding program.
Patrick invites anyone to his farm.
If you are looking for local knowledge of the Birds of the Osa Peninsula, Patrick is the expert birder on the Osa Peninsula. One of the best ornithologists of our time. He welcomes anyone to his magical world of birds on his farm. He asks for a 10 ml for adults and a 5 mil for students, and children are free. All money goes to breeding and feeding the Birds. Groups are more than welcome; Patrick gives group rates.
All Money will go to making sure endangered birds will have a place in our world. Myself, anytime I can help the planet and animals, I am all in, including conservation programs on the Osa Peninsula
Tours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. This bird sanctuary supports a great cause. It is a must-see when you visit the Osa Peninsula.
The Museum
Patrick Dunn, the birdman of the OSA, has a museum with thousands of samples of insects and other curiosities. His collection is over 40 years old
