Free Flight — Attraction in Del Mar

My fiancé and I visited recently and while we did enjoy ourselves, I left concerned for the welfare of some of the birds. I think the birds would be happier overall with smaller reservation groups and with other enrichment besides food.

Most of the birds are not docile or socialized very well as they are surrendered pets or were rescued from abusive homes; some appeared visibly stressed being around a large group of strangers. It may also be risky to bring young children around the birds, as they are prone to biting. I’ve been bitten plenty of times before by parrots (even the sweetest birds will bite sometimes), so I’m used to it, but newcomers may be startled. They can easily miss the food cup you’re given and go for your finger or hand. We arrived just after noon, so by the time we circled the sanctuary most of the birds were full and uninterested in food. Some birds suffered from feather-picking.

I’m originally from Orange County and used to frequent Omar’s Exotic Birds in Lake Forest. The birds there were generally friendly and used to being around people. The associates who worked there taught me so much about parrots and other exotic birds like toucans; I must clarify that I’m not an expert by any means, just an animal lover. I highly recommend making the drive up north, especially if you have never interacted with parrots before or if you are introducing your children to birds.

I think the staff truly care about the animals here, but perhaps the owner should consider more ways to improve the experience for both the resident birds and...

The birds in the sanctuary were very beautiful but unfortunately they weren’t well kept, you could tell by their feathers that many of them needed to be showered. This is coming from a bird keeper, I have been around birds my whole life because of my dad. I came in to the sanctuary yesterday with my boyfriend & we met a lovely volunteer named Charlotte, she was very knowledgeable & she even recommended we adopt an albino cockatiel named Blizzard because we talked to her about how we already have an albino cockatiel at home whom is hand trained, sweet & social. As soon as I got home I filled out the adoption application, submitted it & returned to the sanctuary the following day. When we got there we spoke to other staff members about adopting Blizzard & they turned us down right away because they believed we weren’t “a good fit” they were very prejudice, they didn’t even take the time to get to know us or hear about our lifetime experience with birds. After letting us know we wouldn’t be able to adopt him, they informed us about a membership that we could purchase in order to see if we “might have a chance” of adopting him. They were very hypocritical, they would inform us about how it is always better to adopt a bird rather than to buy from a breeder yet they are prejudice against who is able to adopt without getting to know the person, instead they decide based on appearances whether someone is fit to adopt or not. They have now left us with no other option than to buy from a breeder because we are ready to welcome a new feathery friend...

Business owner should read this. I don't usually give bad reviews but about a month ago I came in for information to board my bird and assumed the information was correct. I came 4 days prior to a vacation I had planned and they told me the information was wrong. My bird is fully able to fly and they told me they don't board birds that can fly. That doesn't make sense with the name of the business. Also, they told me that my bird needed tested and would take at least 5 days. Why so long? The vet I go to can get the results back within 24 hours. Also, when I got here the lady didn't assist me for almost 10 minutes. She kept looking at me and I said hi and tried getting here over to me but she kept ignoring me. Whoever is in charge here needs to teach employees to be kind to potential customers instead of ignoring them. Also, I suggest changing the business name to something that doesn't advertising flying birds. And post on the website that you don't allow flying birds. I will be having all of my friends and family follow up with 1 star reviews if I don't get a response...