BUDDY (Miligold Macaw)

Buddy was a 31-year-old Miligold Macaw who spent over five years at Avalon Aviary. Though fully plucked by the time newer staff arrived, long-time employees recalled he had more feathers upon arrival. Customers and staff alike remembered him for his personality, quirks, and history. He loved to sing and dance—especially to '80s dance music if his favorite caretakers joined in—and sometimes customers danced with him too. He was particularly fond of his plastic keys, which he’d reliably place in his food bowl after eating. He enjoyed braided rope and wooden toys, especially those he could hide behind or chew apart. Buddy was a complex bird: unique, damaged, and deeply endearing. Most of the staff grew very fond of him, and his death was a painful loss to those who knew and cared for him.

This timeline outlines a selection of documented incidents and communications concerning Buddy’s declining health. It does not represent the full scope of medical concerns or staff observations.

Additional information was originally recorded in the Parrot Care Log, which was used to note concerning or unusual observations, identify who witnessed them, track who was informed, and document whether any action was taken. This log was an important tool for recognizing health patterns and determining whether issues were addressed. Susanne later removed the Parrot Care Log from the store without notice, and as a result, many months of contextual details—including specific dates, communications, and follow-up actions—were lost. Staff recalls other incidents and/or concerns of wellbeing that are no longer verifiable due to the absence of that documentation.

The information included in this timeline reflects what could be factually supported through photographs, records, and saved communications.

January 22, 2024
Per Susanne, Buddy was bitten by another parrot and sustained injuries.

January 23, 2024
Buddy was observed by staff vocalizing in pain, holding up his foot, and showing swelling and bruising. Blood was found on his perch and leg.

January 26, 2024
Staff text Susanne to inform her that he was favoring his foot and his leg looked bruised and swollen. Susanne took Buddy to her private aviary, located at her home—not to a veterinarian. No diagnosis or care plan was shared with staff.

February 2, 2024
Buddy was returned to the store. Staff were not informed of any medical assessment or treatment that needed to be provided to Buddy.

March 12, 2024
Multiple staff members observed that Buddy had developed bright green, runny droppings. Staff texted Susanne about this, with concerns that he may have contracted what 2 other parrots recently died from (who also displayed bright green, runny dropping). Susanne asked that newspapers with feces be saved and labeled with the bird's name. This was done.

March 18, 2024
Susanne later said the samples were “not useful.” When reminded she had asked for them, she replied that she needed all of the droppings, not just one example. No veterinary care followed even though green dropping persisted as observed by all staff members and Susanne.

March 22, 2024
After 10 days of persistent symptoms, staff noted there had still been no medical follow-up. Buddy’s droppings remained abnormal.

September 27, 2024
A written note and related texts informed Susanne of worsening symptoms:
- Repeated blood in Buddy’s cage
- A swollen area under one nostril was getting worse
- Poor appetite and continued runny droppings
- His symptoms were similar to both 2 deceased Kakariki's (bright green poop) and a deceased Blue & Gold Macaw (unexplained blood in his cage also assumed by Susanne to have come from his nose).
- They urged Susanne to pass this information to a veterinarian—if one was involved.

August 5, 2024
Multiple staff noted a visible abscess or growth on Buddy’s face beneath his left nostril and informed Susanne. She said he just bonked it.

September 6 2024
The nodule was swollen and raised, visibly protruding and eventually got so big it was surrounded by reddened skin. Looked more like an abscess. The area had been worsening over time, as referenced in prior notes about swelling under one nostril. Susanne had been informed by multiple staff members and was well aware of the issue.

October 1 2024
Susanne stated that she took Buddy to a vet for his abscess and they said it wasn't cancer, but the swollen area was still there and no medication or treatment was provided to relieve his discomfort.

October 5 2024
Susanne said she had an appointment with a different vet to take birds who had loose poop to be seen (specifically Lola and Buddy). She showed up to the store and then left without the birds who needed vet care because "she said" there were no carriers ready for them. There were always clean carriers staged and ready for parrots. She claimed they were the wrong size for her large SUV. Texts detail that event below.

October 15 2024
Susanne told staff that she and another part time staff member had popped and drained his abscess. It appeared smaller but not gone.

Jan 25 2025
Morning feeder noticed blood all over Buddy's cage and informed the Store Manager when she arrived. Store Manager observed blood everywhere and the only place she saw any blood on Buddy was near his nostril (that had the abscess).

Early 2025 (Exact date not in documentation)
She requested that the Animal Care Associate towel Buddy and remove him from his cage. Susanne had the staff member restrain Buddy while she used her bare hands to pop the abscess and squeeze out debris and blood. The area wasn't cleaned prior to this action, her hands were not cleaned or gloved, and no pain meds were provided to Buddy. Buddy screamed in pain and Susanne kept applying pressure and pushing fluid and blood out of his face. The staff member tried to sooth and comfort Buddy and Susanne scoffed that he was fine. She applied Silver Sulfadiazine once to the ruptured opening.

From late 2024 to Early 2025
Buddy’s conditions did not improve. He continued to exhibit abnormal waste and his abscess continued to grow. His keel was visibly protruding. His appetite had drastically decreased. He appeared pale. Photo below.

March 7, 2025
Susanne fired the Store Manager, one of the staff who had been documenting Buddy’s condition and advocating for medical care. Most remaining staff resigned immediately after.

March 9 2025
Buddy was found dead in his cage.

He was loved by all of the staff who left and is terribly missed.

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