Donna Costley says that back when she decided to start a bird rescue operation in 2012, she didn’t even like birds. “I hated birds. My mom had parakeets,” Costley recalls. However, one of her sons, Jon, got into birds first and brought his mother along, under his wing, so to speak. And since then, Second Chance Bird Rescue has provided a “loving rescue and sanctuary for homeless, unwanted and special needs parrots,” according to its mission statement.
Costly started the rescue in the Sacramento area in 2010 and it officially became a nonprofit in 2012 before relocating to Tumalo in 2017. Costley says they moved with 69 birds, 32 chickens, five peacocks, one turkey and five dogs. “It was the move from hell,” she jokes.
The operation makes up a compound of six buildings sitting on 10 acres on Dayton Road, alongside Hwy. 20, a couple miles west of Tumalo. On a recent cool morning a visitor arrives to hear a cacophony of shrieks and screeches emanating from the main bird house. Everyone’s waiting for fresh water and their breakfast — a healthful diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, pellet and seed. From within their cages the birds, about 50 in all, are fully aware of someone new and they warily eye the inquisitive stranger.
Those who choose to adopt these birds had best be serious. They can live for 80-100 years. Costley says the oldest bird she’s had lived to 94.
Her advice for those thinking of adopting a bird or birds (some are bonded) is to spend some time with the birds first. “They need to get to know them.” And for those with little or no experience with birds, to come and volunteer at the Rescue. People need to know what they are in for. “They are messy, they tear things up. It’s like having a 2-year-old for the rest of your life,” Costley says, adding, “They are very smart.” Anyone who has spent any amount of time around these exotic birds knows they are smart. Deceptively smart. Admiringly smart. And beautiful — a rainbow of florescent, Day-Glo colors.
As she makes the morning rounds among the cages, Costley throws out interesting tidbits about the birds. When she screeches, “Musica,” a Moluccan Cockatoo, has a decibel level higher than a 737 jet, according to Costley. Meanwhile, “Chase,” a Hiason Macaw, has a beak pressure of 1,500 pounds. Some of the cages have windows that allow the birds access to a caged area outside. Most do not care for the cold but one bird will sit outside in the snow if you let it, Costley says.
The Rescue also boards pet birds for those who are going to be away. That’s how volunteer Deb Hughes discovered SCBR, where she has volunteered for the past year. “I just love interacting with them,” Hughes says. At home she and her husband have a 26-year-old parrot that she’s had its whole life. If she could, she’d take home her favorite, “Buttons,” a Goffin Cockatoo with only one wing. They are best buds, but Hughes doesn’t think it would work with her longtime bird bud at home.
Go on the website, click on the “Sponsor A Bird” tab and there’s some 34 virtual adoptable birds from which to choose.
Consider the story of “Sydney,” a white Unbrella Cockatoo: “Hi, I am Sydney. One day my mom never came home. I was brought to SCBR by my human sister who could not keep me after mom was killed by a drunk driver in 2021.”
Or “Porter,” a Green Wing Macaw: “I came from an abusive environment. I’m a permanent resident because I’m unadoptable. Just too many scars.”
There’s “Clyde,” a Yellow-Crowned Amazon: “Hello, my name is Clyde. Before my mom passed away, she asked for me to stay here. I’m an old fellow. Please consider sponsoring me.”
And then there’s “Hoagie,” born in 1969: “Hello, my name is Hoagie. I’m a permanent resident here. My dad passed away and I was very sad. Please consider sponsoring me.”
Costley tells of a time when the birds helped her get though a horrible family tragedy. She has five sons and a daughter, but lost one son, a daughter-in-law who was seven and one-half months pregnant, and two grandsons, in an auto accident back east in 2012. “I had to get up and feed them every day, they gave me purpose,” she says. “I don’t think I would’ve survived without them.”
SCBR currently has about 10 volunteers and a five-member board. Costley says it costs about $3,000 a month to run the Rescue. In today’s economy, she says donations have been harder to come by, and the Rescue is at its capacity. Donations and more volunteers are high on the SCBR wish list.
As more of the birds are served their breakfast, some vigorously bop their heads up and down. Costley says its their way to prompt her to turn on some music. They love music, she says, especially Christmas music. But in the meantime, classic oldies do the trick.
Some of the birds do talk, she adds. In her house she has six personal birds and one greets her “Good Morning” every morning and can carry on a conversation.
Second Chance Bird Rescue
19084 Dayton Rd., Bend, OR 97703
916-956-2153
scbrwestcoastdiv.org
This article appears in Central Oregon Pets Fall 2025.
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