Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
You know what’s absolutely mind-blowing? For fifteen freaking amazing years, we’ve been posting our sanctuary updates, bird stories, and conservation messages on July 28 World Nature Conservation Day — without even realizing it! Talk about the universe having a sense of humor! Here we are, accidentally celebrating alongside the world every single year without even realizing it. From our very first post back in 2010 when I was just some guy celebrating Brandon Phillips’ grand slam (Reds go, baby, yeah!) to this year’s post about being ready for anything with baby bunnies and opossums — we’ve been part of something so much bigger than we realized.
…while that war was tearing the world apart, nature was still out there doing what nature does – surviving, adapting, healing.
And isn’t that exactly what we see every single day here at Ruffled Feathers? Our birds are living proof that even after the worst traumas – neglect, abuse, abandonment – there’s still hope. They can heal, find joy again, and build new families.
Looking back through our July 28th posts is like watching a time-lapse of our evolution as conservationists:
2010: Just me, excited about baseball, probably had no idea I’d end up running a parrot sanctuary.
2015–2016: We’re starting to hit our stride. Chaco taking those extra five minutes to wake up (don’t we all need that sometimes?). Pearl sending encouragement videos to her original bird mom who got a new job. Hamish enjoying country views with Margaret. These weren’t just cute bird posts; they were documentation of individual lives that mattered.
2017: This was a huge year for us, but sadly the world lost dear Disco with his record-breaking vocabulary, and I still bow my head in memory of that incredible bird. But we also celebrated new friendships forming between Stormy Grey and Chase, watched Lilly become part of the gang, and saw Shazam looking for love with his ring and everything. We were asking for volunteers in Louisville, sharing educational content about rare parrot species like the Vasa Parrot, and really establishing ourselves as more than just a rescue – we were becoming educators.
2018–2019: Our educational mission was in full swing. We were teaching people about tropical bird species like the Keel-billed Toucan, showing Phoenix enjoying his chop outside with the flock, and I was posting about that elderly Amazon who taught me how to be truly brave. These posts show our growth from rescue to rehabilitation to education.
2021: Houdini’s adventures visiting granny and making gas station stops. These seemingly simple stories actually represent something profound – the integration of these birds into our daily lives, the way they become family members who go on errands and visit relatives.
2023: “In 24 hours you better be ready for anything around here.” Truer words were never spoken about sanctuary life! Baby bunnies, baby opossums, and who knows what else may be walking through our doors
Here’s what gives me chills: World Nature Conservation Day falls on July 28 and acknowledges that the foundation for a healthy society is a healthy environment. For fifteen years, we’ve been living this truth without even knowing we were part of a global movement.
Phoenix dipping his chop in water. Pearl sending encouragement to her bird mom. Disco amazing us with his vocabulary. Each moment showed that saving plants and animals facing extinction is a core conservation goal.
But here’s what makes us different from the big conservation organizations: we don’t just save species – we save individual souls. Every bird that comes through our doors has a name, a personality, a story. Wilma with her Chuck Palahniuk quotes about not wanting to die without scars. Ray Ray the snuggle bug who loves kisses until he decides to bite. Shazam with his ring, ready to charm the ladies.
What started as personal posts about birds has accidentally become something incredible. We’ve created an archive of individual animal lives that span over a decade. We’ve documented friendships, losses, growth, education, and hope. We’ve shown that conservation isn’t just about big policy changes or saving entire ecosystems (though those matter too) – it’s also about recognizing that every single life has value.
Think about it: in a world where July 28th is remembered for the start of the most devastating war in human history up to that point, we’ve been quietly documenting peace. We’ve been showing what it looks like when different species live together, when former enemies become friends, when the wounded find healing.
I’ve seen nothing else like us on the web, and now I know why. We’re not trying to be conservationists in the traditional sense. We’re not policy makers or wildlife biologists or environmental scientists. We’re just people who fell in love with individual birds and couldn’t stop sharing their stories.
But you know what? That might be exactly what the world needs right now. In an age of climate change and mass extinction, when the problems feel so overwhelming that people just shut down, we’re showing that conservation can be personal, joyful, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at the same time.
Every July 28th post we’ve made has been a small act of rebellion against the idea that individual lives don’t matter. Every photo of Hamish enjoying country views, every video of “just another night in the aviary,” every educational post about exotic bird species – they’re all saying the same thing: these lives matter, these stories matter, this work matters
As we move into our sixteenth year of accidentally celebrating World Nature Conservation Day, I’m filled with this incredible sense of purpose. We didn’t set out to be conservationists. We didn’t plan to create a fifteen-year archive of animal stories. But we did – and in doing so, we accidentally joined a global conservation movement. And you know what? The work continues. Tomorrow there will be more birds who need help, more stories to tell, more friendships to document, more healing to witness. The baby bunnies and opossums from this year’s post will grow up and move on to their next chapter. New birds will arrive with their own traumas and their own potential for joy.
Here’s the thing that makes me prouder than anything: we’re not just saving birds. We’re changing how people think about individual animal lives. Every person who follows our page, every share, every comment, every smile we’ve inspired – that’s conservation in action. That’s how you change the world: one story, one bird, one heart at a time.
So yeah, July 28th might be remembered historically for the start of World War I, but at Ruffled Feathers, it’s the day we accidentally became part of something beautiful. It’s the day we celebrate not just World Nature Conservation Day, but our own weird, wonderful, completely unique approach to making the world a better place for creatures who can’t speak for themselves.
Fifteen years of posts. Hundreds of birds. Thousands of stories. One accidental conservation movement that started with a guy watching baseball and evolved into something I never could have imagined.
Here’s to the next fifteen years of being ready for anything, celebrating the individual, and proving that sometimes the most powerful conservation work happens not in boardrooms or laboratories, but in the daily, messy, beautiful work of just giving a damn about the creatures in our care.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what July 28th really means to us: it’s the day we remember that every life matters, every story deserves to be told, and every small act of love is actually a revolutionary act of hope.
Keep being amazing, you beautiful people. The birds are counting on us, history is watching, and we’ve got work to do.
Brad & The Entire Ruffled Feathers Family
Below continue checking out our content or take a stroll through this day in time to see what happened around the world on July 28th.
- Celebrating July 11th: Birds and Historical Milestones(Opens in a new browser tab)
- April 30 – This Day in History
- May 6: A Day of Historical Triumphs and Sanctuary Tales
- May 16: A Reflection on Hope and Resilience
In 24 hours you better be ready for anything around here. This doesn�t even show the 4 baby bunnies, 1 baby opossum, or…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Friday, July 28, 2023
Houdini went to visit granny with me after hitting tractor supply yesterday. Then we stopped at a gas station and I ran…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Houdini stopped by to visit granny with me after hitting tractor supply. On the way home I stopped at a gas station and…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Phoenix is outside with all the other birds. He really enjoys his chop.He especially loves dipping it into water. Hope you are having a good day! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Sunday, July 28, 2019
I love her messy beak. She is the one who helped teach me how to be truly brave. We love our elderly amazon to the moon and back. Have a great Sunday everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Sunday, July 28, 2019
Haven�t posted one in a while so here is some birds.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Sunday, July 28, 2019
Birds of South America: Keel-billed Toucan The 43 species of the toucan family (Ramphastidae) inhabit the woodlands of…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Saturday, July 28, 2018
Just another night in the aviary. Have a good night! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Saturday, July 28, 2018
I liked these two for this quote. We are starting to integrate some of the new birds with the flock and see who may get…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Saturday, July 28, 2018
Goodbye dear disco. We loved you and your pretty little voice with your record breaking vocabulary. Our prayers are with all that loved you.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Friday, July 28, 2017
Do you have some extra time on your hands? Do you like birds and live in the Louisville area? Would you like to do some…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Friday, July 28, 2017
Regardless of how you feel about breeding parrots it is heart warming to see the love that they are given at Shaku Varna…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Friday, July 28, 2017
Parrots of the World: Afro-Asian Distribution Vasa Parrot DESCRIPTION Length 50 cm. Adults general plumage…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Ray Ray is my little snuggle bug. He loves to give kisses. It's all fun and games until I get bit. Lol Have a great night! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Shazam is looking for a wife. He has a ring and everything.He's the most eligible bachelor but watch out he is very fond of kissing the ladies! Lol -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Disco has passed away. I bow my head in memory of this dear bird and his vast vocabulary. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Guess what Friends?!? It's time to stop what you're doing, put on your dancing shoes, oh, and maybe some protective gear this go around, because today's Happy Feet dance quickly turned into some major slam dancing! ??? Happy Friday from Dooby and the Gang! ? Like us at Happy Wings Sanctuary and follow the adventures of Dooby and the Gang! ?
Posted by Happy Wings Sanctuary on Friday, July 28, 2017
Lilly girl is out and strutting her stuff today. She's such a pretty sweet girl and has really became part of the gang. Have a great day! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Mica Showing her true character ? -Margaret
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Peeking out at the weekend!! We love weekends!! -Bethany
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Wilma says "I don't want to die without any scars." First said however by Chuck Palahniuk in Fight Club. Wilma is a bird…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Good Morning everyone! Stormy Grey and Chase are becoming good friends. They are starting to preen each other. Well…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Friday, July 28, 2017
Birds of Australia: Spotted Crake Crakes, which live mainly among reeds, are difficult to see and the average…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Pearl says hiMy camera lens kept fogging up because we were outside right after a rain storm. Pearl wanted to make sure I passed along this video to her original bird mom. Congratulations on your new job and new opportunities in life. Pearl always has your back and is never far away with an inspiring video. We knew you could do it. – Brad & Pearl
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
I try not to post pictures of myself on this page but…just look at my little guy. He makes me smile. Hope he gave you a smile too! -Bethany
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Chaco & Pearl seem to be hitting it off just fine as well. Chaco is such a sweet bird and Pearl really is too. They are…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Hamish enjoying some country views -Margaret
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
I love the red mohawk on this bird. Can you name it? – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
The girls were just wanting to hang out and be close to Kiki today. He doesn't mind sharing his house with others. I…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
JoJo says "In imitating our words, the parrot seems to take on some of our inclinations and habits�in a house of…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Riafiki standing to attention lol -Margaret
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Good morning. Chaco isn't quite ready to wake up today. Oh well just 5 more minutes won't hurt. Have a great day today everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Hope our Ruffled Feathers members had a wonderful Wednesday! Frankie finally got it! He got that when he lets mom give…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, July 28, 2016
I was just driving along when I notice a car in front of me had a DVD player going for the kids in the back. I just keep…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Tuesday, July 28, 2015
I fell asleep during the game earlier so I decided to watch the rerun I'm glad I did or I would have missed Brandon Phillips grand slam! Woohoooo Reds go baby yeah!
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
I fell asleep during the game earlier so I decided to watch the rerun I'm glad I did or I would have missed Brandon Phillips grand slam! Woohoooo Reds go baby yeah!
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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