{"id":42711,"date":"2025-04-08T15:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T20:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/?p=42711"},"modified":"2026-01-19T16:22:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T22:22:47","slug":"a-parrots-mess-becomes-a-creative-expression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/a-parrots-mess-becomes-a-creative-expression\/","title":{"rendered":"A Parrot\u2019s Mess Becomes A Creative Expression"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"parrotlet
Image courtesy of Tina Kirmis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the years, we\u2019ve been joyed by the artwork created by a few truly extraordinary parrots, lovingly shared by their caregivers. A look through our article catalog will uncover some of these talented birds. These stories reveal just how unique parrots can be\u2014often surprising us with their unexpected talents. Like humans, each parrot is a one-of-a-kind individual, never to be seen again in quite the same way. Some set themselves apart even further through the things they grow to love. Art is one such passion, especially abstract art, which resonates deeply in the broader world of creative expression and its many admirers.<\/p>\n

Bruce is a 17-year-old parrotlet who resides with Tina Kirmis in Vancouver. Kirmis is a volunteer working at the Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary works on adoptions, surrenders, and overall care of birds in need of assistance. Kirmis adopted a then 9-year-old Bruce in 2016 to add to her adored flock of other parrotlets, budgies, cockatiels, and a 50-year-old Amazon parrot. Most of her rescued birds have health problems, including Bruce, who suffers from heart, liver, and cataract issues. Bruce has since lost most of his sight due to a seizure suffered in February (2025), with some vision in his right eye still available to him.<\/p>\n

When Fruit Meets Paper: A Bird\u2019s Artistic Side<\/h3>\n
\"parrotlet
Parrotlet Bruce in his “dome,” which includes a large “exit” route for him to come and go as he pleases. Image courtesy of Tina Kirmis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With Bruce, it was quickly noted that his eating habits were more than a bit messy. His eating of fruit often resulted in splashes of fruit juice on walls and other out-of-bounds areas. Kirmis chose a light plastic cover called the \u201cberry eating dome\u201d to contain his messes. \u00a0The dome itself has a huge doorway cut out for Bruce\u2019s easy entrance, and he can exit as he pleases. But Bruce loves eating inside the dome. With paper underneath him, the resulting mess from the berries has left amazing \u201cart\u201d that has become an interest.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Kirmis wrote and published two children\u2019s books featuring Bruce and his art. The first book, called “Bruce in His Berry Eating Dome,” is filled with photos and a tale of Bruce as he eats and creates. It is 48 pages of heart-warming prose that gives Bruce a bit of a celebrity status. The second book is called “Bruce\u2019s Berry Good Art,” and its 48 pages contain a story on his \u201cdreams\u201d that lead to his expression of them on paper as he eats his meal of berries. Both books are available on Amazon here<\/a> (Berry Eating Dome), and here<\/a> (Berry Good Art). The profits from the books go to the previously mentioned Greyhaven Sanctuary (here<\/a>) as well as The Nest (here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"parrotlet
Image courtesy of Tina Kirmis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"parrotlet
Bruce’s artwork is featured in two books. Image courtesy of Tina Kirmis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kirmis also started an Instagram<\/a> page so people can become interested in birds and their care, in addition to her Facebook<\/a> page. Both are under the name “Follow the Feathers,” where followers can find frequent, engaging posts with pictures, videos, updates on Bruce’s journey, bird care tips, rescue stories, and more delightful moments from her colorful flock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A parrotlet named Bruce has turned his berry-stained eating habits into an unexpected form of abstract art, inspiring books and raising support for bird rescue efforts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8046,"featured_media":42713,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[171],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-everyday"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Parrot\u2019s Mess Becomes A Creative Expression – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A parrotlet named Bruce has turned his berry-stained eating habits into an unexpected form of abstract art, inspiring books and raising support for bird rescue 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