Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
May 16 wildlife rescue history is written one animal, one challenge, and one breakthrough at a time. This May 16, 2025, has added yet another unforgettable chapter to that legacy. As I type this, we’re in the dark, literally. A massive power outage rolled through the city, and we’re clinging to what little battery life our iPads have left. Every outlet is dead, yet the babies needing us are very much alive.
We’ve got incubators running on backup, heating pads layered like lasagna, and a crew of sleepy-eyed caregivers keeping tiny bodies warm with whatever we’ve got. The air smells like formula, feathers, and stress, and yet somehow, also like hope.
Let’s rewind to a previous May 16 and one of the tougher moments, a dove caught in the wrong place at the worst time. Last year, she was hit by a lawnmower. I only showed her front side online out of mercy, but the back half? I’ll spare you the details. She had no business still breathing, but she was.
And so were we. Doing what we’ve done for decades: patching, praying, and pushing forward. Our May 16 wildlife rescue history is made of thousands of these moments, strung together like beads on a frayed shoelace.
That same day, while I was trying not to cry over a dove, one of our baby birds decided to flex his wings. We lovingly called him Bernie Sanders Jr., a scruffy little guy who looked like he’d been ranting about Medicare for All since hatching. He spent the day doing dramatic fly-bys and ignoring me, only showing up when his crop was empty.
Classic kid. One day they’re glued to your hip; the next they’re living rent-free in the trees.
Later, during a goose-and-duck run (because of course May 16 doesn’t believe in letting us breathe), I found two little ones wobbling around the Shively ditch. Now, if you know Shively like I do, you know that ditch isn’t winning any tourism awards. It’s more known for needles than nature. But there they were, fighting to exist. I couldn’t leave them.
I scooped them up, cracked a joke, and carried on. What else do you do? You make it work. That’s the core of our wildlife rescue history: finding a way when there isn’t one.
This day isn’t just about the work we’ve done, it’s stitched into the fabric of history that shaped us.
On May 16, 1910, the U.S. Bureau of Mines was founded, laying groundwork for modern environmental policies and safety standards. That structure eventually helped people like us operate sanctuaries safely and responsibly.
Fast-forward to 1980, when the residents of Love Canal took a stand, demanding relocation from their chemically poisoned neighborhood. Their grassroots resistance led to the creation of the Superfund program, helping clean up toxic messes that endangered animals and people alike.
That courage to stand up for what’s right? That’s something we carry forward in every rescue, every rehab, and every stubborn little life we fight for.
Even the birds have a voice in this timeline.
In 2019, conservationists in Virginia’s Big Woods banded the first nestlings of the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, proof that habitat restoration works. That same belief fuels our aviary designs today: giving birds the freedom to fly and the safety to heal.
Their survival echoes through every perch we build and every release we plan. Moments like these keep May 16 wildlife rescue history alive.
And then there’s the needle.
Yep. The uncapped one I found right by my back gate in 2023, where I walk Derby. It’s a reminder that even in our little bubble of birds, love, and organized chaos, the outside world creeps in.
But we stay vigilant. Boots on. Gloves ready.
Some May 16s hit harder than others.
One year, someone hit a baby goose with a golf club. On purpose. I’d been trying to take a rare night off. Spoiler alert: that didn’t last long.
People always ask how I keep doing this. And honestly? There’s no easy answer. When heartbreak knocks, you’ve got two options:
Turn away
Or lean in
I lean in. That’s the thread that holds us together.
But it’s not always tragedy.
Some May 16s are pure magic,literally. One year, Magic the macaw made it into a parrot magazine (probably for his sass alone). He ha d the attitude of a rockstar and the voice of a foghorn.
Other years brought bantam chicks hatching under confused hens, parrots sunbathing like royalty, and me insisting a bird was Ray… until Tara laughed and told me I was talking to a shoe.
We’ve had ducklings rescued from sprinkler nightmares, baby geese raised by furious hens, birds helping me water flowers for the first time, and sanctuary residents watching Transformers from the couch like feathery couch potatoes.
These aren’t just stories. They’re brushstrokes in the mosaic of Ruffled Feathers. Every photo, each post, all the chaos and joy, they form the heartbeat of our sanctuary.
This isn’t just a timeline, it’s a living, breathing story of hope, heartbreak, and healing.
Even the Sedition Act was passed on this day in 1918, a warning of what happens when voices are silenced. But here? We’re loud.
Sometimes too loud (if you ask Kiki), but we believe in making noise for the voiceless.
- Let go of a little more sorrow and hold tighter to hope
- Watch babies grow wings while their parents fade gently into the background
- Charge into chaos, fueled by purpose (and caffeine)
- Power through exhaustion with courage and snark
- And above all else, we remember:
This work matters. To them, to us, and to the world.
To all of you who’ve followed us, whether from the beginning or just this year, thank you. You’re part of this story now.
We didn’t just build a sanctuary with cages and feed bowls. We built it with memory, with community, and with heart.
And all of that lives on in our May 16 wildlife rescue history.
Until next time,
– Brad
Tonight we have a dove that was hit by a lawnmower. I�m only showing its front but it may be the worst I�ve ever seen….
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2024
My little Bernie sanders baby is almost all grown up. He�s at the stage now where he plays around all day learning to fly and I don�t see him. Every morning and when he gets hungry I still see him sitting on the chair right by the front door waiting on me to feed him. Those times will grow fewer and fewer until I don�t see him anymore and he will be all grown up and on his own. At least if I do see him I won�t know it�s him. I�m convinced a lot of the birds I release stay and live close by.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2024
On a goose and duck run today I spotted these two babies trying to eke out an existance in the shively ditch. Poor babies don�t know that ditch is only used for liquor, needles, and hooker goo. Maybe they are trying to find the source and damn it up. Carry on little ones carry on.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2024
It�s that time of year again.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2024
Nothing like finding a loaded uncapped needle right by your back gate. Right where I take derby to go potty most days…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Shh nobody saw nothing. It�s too early for babies. ?
Posted by Brad Harmon on Sunday, May 16, 2021
I also want to share a story if anybody wants to read it. The other day I was out running picking up animals. I got a…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Saturday, May 15, 2021
Was taking the night off relaxing getting some of my work done at home and somebody legit hit a gosling with a golf club…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Saturday, May 16, 2020
Momma hatched her out some babies. I counted 10 little bantams running around in there. They even helped me hatch out…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, May 16, 2019
Magic is preening himself and being a good boy. I�m so glad his �terrible twos� and threes are over. He was sassy for a…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, May 16, 2019
Is it crazy that I think this is Ray but I�m not 100% sure. I take so many pictures and I cant see his crest. Lol. Don�t mind me I�m just losing it. Have a good day! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, May 16, 2019
Beautiful boy out on a walk. Have a wonderful Thursday everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Thursday, May 16, 2019
Birds of Eurasia: Common Treecreeper Although they appear so very similar, the two species of treecreeper have adapted…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Aviary fun! Have a great night! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Aviary fun! –
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Hello everyone! Smokey is enjoying himself in the aviary. Everyday this guy says something that I�ve never heard him say before. Even after all these years having birds it still surprises me. -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Smokey is so special to us. Many of you know his story but not to be too long winded a friend of the page contacted us…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Good Morning everyone! Tickles is awake and ready to start the day! Hope you have a great day! -Tara
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Hard to see thru the mesh but 11 baby ducklings. Momma got eaten by a cat or drove off by maintenance not sure which. We didn�t know how long she had been gone but it was too long and maintenance would have smashed them the next day. I didn�t think any would be good still but I figured after my big failure to act on another duck I�d give these a shot and stuck them in the incubator. They were in there for a few days but then my fancy quail eggs that I ordered 6 months ago and forgot all about showed up. So I needed the incubator. I figured what the heck I have chickens sitting on eggs and one that sits on nothing everyday. I stuck them all out there in the box for the one who sits on nothing. She must have thought it was Christmas when she saw all those eggs appear because she started clucking and got all excited. She ruffled up and plopped herself right down on those eggs. The next day baby ducks were all over the place and I had to take them from her to put them in a brooder. She is probably the angriest chicken ever at me now. Lol since I have adult wood ducks of other kinds they can grow up and take off from here. Never would have thought they were alive still but worth taking a chance on. Glad I did now and glad people cared about them enough to have me try. Can�t wait to watch them grow up. Then they better get jobs and get the heck out. Lol
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2019
A very rare treat. I really do get the best visitors.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Thursday, May 16, 2019
Here is a video of their wonderful evening.
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
This is why I do what I do. These elderly cockatoos the 3 amigos may have been caught and taken from the wild but they…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Today I'm working the desk but had to go to the bathroom. While in there I heard somebody come in the door. I left Lilly…
Posted by Brad Harmon on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Birds of South America: Bananaquit A bold and indiscriminate feeder and a tireless nest-builder, the self sufficient…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
My Aaron says "Good Evening!"??
Posted by Jennifer Wiggins-Mejia on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
I just wanted to share this video of Baby out helping water the flowers the other day. This was the first day she has ever helped me and it can get kind of hectic with a busy highway being so close. It can take some of them several times to get used to all of the noise. It really helps us with getting them adjusted and adaptable to all kinds of different situations. Baby is such a good girl and is just so happy all the time she is just fine with whatever happens as long as she is hanging out. She is one of the best behaved and most wonderful bird's I've ever had the pleasure to spend time with. Have a great evening everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
I like for everyone to get to hang out outside with us in the evenings. Even if that means I make a lot of trips and…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
This guy is not happy to have his picture taken and his meal interrupted. Of course I will stop and take a picture of…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Misty says "I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it." First said however by Marilyn…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Good morning. I figured a little color might be a good way to start the day. I liked how this picture turned out with…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Tuesday, May 16, 2017
I saw this and immediately started laughing while thinking of our sweet Marsha! I know its no bird… but I dont know if Marsha can tell that yet shhhh 😉 We love you Marsha!!!! -Seeairuh
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Birds of North America: Red-winged Blackbird The "Redwing" is one of the most successful and well-known North…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Everything is moved again. They love exploring new surroundings 🙂
Posted by Dan Lawrence Berg on Monday, May 16, 2016
It's Captain America time 🙂
Posted by Dan Lawrence Berg on Monday, May 16, 2016
I wasn't going to use this one because I thought I was boring. I didn't think the phone would even pick up me talking because the road is so loud right behind me. Lol Oh well I decided I liked it still so I decided to use it anyways. Hope it's still enjoyable. Have a great evening everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
I just finished my bath now it's Avengers time 🙂
Posted by Dan Lawrence Berg on Monday, May 16, 2016
This species of bird is pretty spectacular the chicks pretend to be something else to avoid predators..Can you name the species ? -Margaret
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
This was written by a wonderful friend and I wanted to share it because I thought it was very nice. Eyes are the…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
This bird goes by several different names. Do you know any of them? -Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Ok when I see a family of geese trying to cross a busy 4 lane road I do indeed turn around and throw on my flashers…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Benji says "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." First said however by Mother Teresa. Enjoy the day everyone. – Brad
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Rio just checking she's got enough nuts ? -Margaret
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Someone wanted to go to work with me this morning… He/she was coming right to me! Have you ever had wildlife approach you (that wasn't trying to eat you?) LoL -Bethany
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Good morning from Nyla. She decided to watch transformers with me yesterday. This look says aren't you supposed to be…
Posted by Ruffled Feathers on Monday, May 16, 2016
Meet the newest member of our family. This is Cinnabar. He's 25 and a real sweetie. He came to us as a "rescue" of…
Posted by Lou Annette Holden on Sunday, May 15, 2016
WATCH: This man is asking for the public's help finding his dog after a tornado "ripped him out of my arms." "Each second that passes makes our hearts break more and more. Not knowing where he is terrifies us. I can just see his face and hear his bark. Even though everything was lost, all we wish for is Ruger; he is absolutely priceless." — via WPSD-TV
Posted by NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on Friday, May 13, 2016
Posted by Brad Harmon on Monday, May 16, 2016
Way to go Magic! He is in this month's parrot magazine. He's a star! Lol
Posted by Brad Harmon on Monday, May 16, 2016
Posted by Brad Harmon on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
