Anima Mundi Sanctuary

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Pep.

Pep (Psittacula Cyanocephala).

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Currently, Anima Mundi Sanctuary is located at:

Flower Season - Summer 2006

Paphiopedium Alma Gavaert "Terry's Choice" X Voodoo Magic.

Larger view.

Encyclia Ceratistes - higly fragrant, robust plant.

Coincidence? We experiment with Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae and this pineapple (Ananas Comosus) found its niche on a sunny log.

Vandaceous orchids are among the most rewarding. These are preparing to bloom.

Red Passion Flower (Passiflora Coccinea).

Red profusion - best time to see Passiflora Coccinea in bloom.

Hidden in the aviary branches, a Phalaenopsis "Golden Phoenix" orchid in full display.

Epidendrum Cinnabarinum "Deep Purple" in a dazzling display of star like flowers.

Epidendrum Cinnabarinum "Giant Red" has spread everywhere.

At any time of the year, you can enjoy the beauty of the Brazilian Jasmine (Mandevilla Sanderii) - Red Ridding Hood.

The white mandevilla (Mandevilla Sanderei) is an especially showy plant.

Never would have expected that Zamia Furfuracea will adapt to full San Gabriel Valley sun...and thrive.

Dioon Edule grown from seed in fill sun... new leaves.

This is too exciting not to share...King Protea (Protea Cynaroides) will bloom for the very first time. See the bud?

A beautiful "Rosie O'Donnel" rose opening up.

Nerium Oleander "Splendens" in a cascading spray of flowers.

Purple Sky Vine (Duranta Repens) getting ready for the full show of September.

Amazing display by a flowering clock vine (Thunbergia Grandiflora).

My pride and most favorite plant, grown from a seed from Florida, this Mountain Screwpine (Pandanus Montanus) is thriving...to my surprise and joy.

Mandevilla Splendens "Alice du Pont" with large soft pink flowers.

We realized that we can easily duplicate the Australian conditions required by this Staghorn fern (Platycerium Veitchii)...they are thriving.

This Neoregelia Carolinae had to adjust to lower light exposure due to the high heat.

The Small Guys

The Small Guys.

Since Anima Mundi Sanctuary gives home to birds indiscriminately, it is only expected that in between all the branches and leaves, many little feathered friends find a place to call home. Although they are hard to spot and sometimes hard to hear over the loudness of the macaws, they are none the less there, and a real treat to see in the canopy. Some of the pics of the small birds were taken by other photographers since our birds were not cooperating and decided to hide behind leaves. However,for the 2-3 shots we had to go elsewhere, we chose pics that most closely represent our birds and their habitat

The Zebra Clan (Taeniopygia Guttata Castanotis).

In the beginning a pair of zebra finches came to Anima Mundi from Garden Grove. They were released in the aviary and almost immediately they went to work building a nest. Next day, to our surprise, there was another pair of Zebra finches that came to join the others. Since our aviary has 1 inch holes on top, finches find it rather easy to go in and out. Now, 5 months later, there is an established flock of Zebras. It is a joy to watch them fly out of the aviary in the morning and fiddle around in the garden. They fly in compact formation and sleep, eat, drink, and nest in the aviary. Their life is one of continuous movement and they build amazing nests with one and two stories.

The Canaries (Serinus Canaria hybrid).

There are 3 canaries in the aviary. One male and 2 females. The male is salmon colored and the females pure lemony yellow. The male is an accomplished singer and his voice can be heard for hours non stop at almost any time of the day. They never leave the aviary. They have a passion for flowers, fruits, and greens of any sort. They add so much liveliness through their crystalline song and bright colors.

The European Gold Finches (Carduelis Carduelis) .

Our pair of European Gold Finches came to us from the Pomona Bird show. They were looking kind of drab and the guy selling them doubted they will make it. I got to take them home and did not see them around for weeks after that. I figured that they either left or have passed away. However, one morning I heard this happy little song that I knew it wasn't the canary. I looked around and on a branch of the peach tree was the pair of goldfinches. They looked so different from the birds I brought home. The male was singing and swaying from side to side. They are a bit more shy than the other birds and we only get glimpses of them from time to time.

The Yellow Hooded Blackbirds (Agelaius Icterocephalus ).

I remember to this day going to visit one of my friends in Anaheim. He told me that someone gave him a pair of birds that were too aggressive for his little finches cage and asked me if I wanted to take them home. I looked at them and they reminded me of the grackles and marsh birds you see in Texas. I told him I will give it a try though I wasn't quite sure if I could offer them the optimal habitat. I got them home and looked them up on line. Apparently they are native to South America and I was concerned that they might not make the winter so I monitored them closely. They adapted very fast and I was pleased to find out that they were not aggressive at all. The male constructed this elaborate nest up in the branches of the lemon tree and every morning sings his metallic tunes in the crisp air. At times, after a night in the 30s, you could see his warm breath while he sings. They seem to be doing great in spite of a few colder nights. The male blends in so perfectly in the lemon tree.

The Shaft-tail Finches (Poephila Acuticauda).

Our trio of Shaft-tails have been with us for a few years. They are very social and on a lucky day, they will pick mealworms right out of my hand. They are inquisitive and bold and love to harass the cats for hair for their nests. These little guys build multiple nests. They raised many babies successfully and they are with my friend George in Anaheim that has an aviary dedicated only to Shaft-tails. Even though they could, these little fellows never leave the aviary other then to collect nest building material and insects.

The Cuban Finch (Tiaris Canora).

We call him Don Juan and he is a Cuban Melodious Grassquit. He adopted us. He came from nowhere and loves the aviary, though seldom stays in there for more than a few hours. He always makes his presence know and he is quite boisterous. I noticed he dislikes the House Sparrows as he always chases them away from the house. I am sad we can't offer him a mate to give him more of a purpose.

The Orange Weaver Clan (Ploceus Aurantius).

After we built the aviary, 5 brown sparrow looking birds came inside and decided not to leave. To my horror, I noticed them ripping to shreds various plants inside and building nests left and right. I knew they were from the Ploceidae family from their general appearance but had no idea which variety. After a few months, one of them started turning orange and black and that's when I realized that our guests were Orange Weavers. They move freely in and out of the aviary and their nests are now in the whole neighborhood. After last summer I noticed they are about 15 and growing. Their plant harvesting is not as intense though they love the many sugar cane clumps in the area. They came to our house from a colony that I observed in this creek area where a lot of bamboo is present. The boss of our little colony has the most charming displays. He gets a bit nasty with other birds but they all learnt to give him ample space.

The Diamond Doves (Geopelia Cuneata).

My friend Adrian gave us a pair of Diamond Doves when he decided he had too many. I was a bit scared to have them in the aviary as doves are slow and parrots can be mean. Within the first few days, the male got his tail plucked by the Eclectus female. However, they learnt fast to keep away from the curved beaks. There are now five of them, though it is impossible to spot them unless they're basking in the sun.

The Button Quails (Excalfactoria Chinensis).

The pair of little quails is more often heard then seen. Their hawk like little cries are heard from tome to time. They hide under the bush of pampas grass and rarely wander far from it. They have a very secretive nature and most would never know that unless you house them in a very vegetated aviary.

The Java Sparrows (Padda/Lonchura Oryzivora) .

This pair came from Adrian as well and they have a very peaceful nature. They love to perch high and never leave the aviary. I never knew how much these birds love water. They literally spend hours in the bird bath. From time to time you can hear the male's bubbly song.

The Baglafecht or Speke's Weaver( Ploceus Baglafecht).

This male was given to me by a friend. I am almost positive it is a Baglafecht Weaver though others have said it is a Speke's Weaver. He is a large bird, almost the size of the Yellow Hooded Blackbirds, with a shorter, sturdy tail. He is not aggressive and very quiet. He is quite confiding and loves mealworms. We are still trying to figure out what he really is. Please help if you know for sure.

Mr. Pitzi

Mr. Pitzi (Felis Catus- hybrid).

About six months ago, Alex came to us with a surprise. In his hand was a baby Siamese kitten, infant, and very hungry. He tells us that he almost hit the kitten in the middle of an intersection. He was just sitting there crying and hungry. Just like Mr. Mitzi, 3 years ago, Mr. Pitzi was full of fleas. We couldn't say no to those bright blue eyes. There's something about a kittens face that provokes immeasurable love and compassion. Mr. Pitzi grew fast into the most friendly cat we've ever seen. He loves hanging out with the birds and loves to play with the macaws when they actually give him attention. He has 9 neighborhood cats as his friends and they come over to eat and play daily. Mr. Mitzi does not like him much... we think it's jealousy. Mr. Pitzi makes a vivacious and mischievous addition to Anima Mundi.

Mr. Mitzi

Mr. Mitzi (Felis Catus-hybrid).

Valentine's Day 2002. One of my friends from Oklahoma called me that she will be coming to Dallas and asked me if I wanted to rescue a baby cat. I asked Teresa and she said she would take the cat in. My friend dropped by later that day and gave me a small cardboard box. Inside was this baby kitten with it's eyes still closed and crying terribly. I ran to the pet store and got all the supplies needed for an infant kitty. He was also full of fleas so we had to take care of that problem too. Teresa put all her love and devotion into raising this orphan kitty which we named Mr. Mitzi. He has a unique personality and for the longest time despised men. Teresa spoiled him so much that his personality developed as such. He walks around with such an air of arrogance and superiority. I have never seen a cat that likes its independence more than Mr. Mitzi. Everything must be on his terms. We have many stories regarding Mr. Mitzi and we will add them in time.

Duck Tran and Duck Lin

Duck Tran and Duck Lin (Aix galericulata).

Duck Tran and Duck Lin are now on a large pond together with their 8 offspring. Anima Mundi was just too small for their needs.

This pair of Mandarin ducks were also a gift from Paul Kao of Northridge. They were quite wild when they came to Anima Mundi Sanctuary and exploded in flight every time anyone got close to the aviary. After 3 or 4 months we decided to let Mr. and Mrs. Rachi take them into their home. They were there for 3 months before the Rachi family realized that there is more commitment to having a pair of ducks than they realized. Due to the circumstances, the duck family found its way back to Anima Mundi and we feel that it will be better if they reside with us. They have finally accepted us though they are still weary of close proximity. They are beautiful birds with much more complex social dynamics than we ever expected. It is a pleasure to watch Duck Tran perform his nuptial display to Duck Lin. Fresh water time is a moment of pure joy for the pair of Mandarins. They bat their wings splashing water from their mini pond in every direction and after that they enjoy flying together 2 or 3 times around the aviary. They like to perch real high and enjoy their weekly feeding of meal worms.

Toots and Dot

Toots and Dot (Rollulus Roulroul).

These beautiful jewels are a new addition to Anima Mundi. They are better known as roul-roul or wood partridges and their origin is in South East Asia. They don't have any particular story. They came from Paul Kao in Northridge and have enchanted us ever since with their inquisitive, confident, and friendly natures. They love fruits and insects and will jump all over you for some grapes.

Stela

Stela (Pionus Maximiliani).

Stela is a Maximilian Pionus that came to me through my friend Adrian Arabitg. She came from a pet collector that could not care for her anymore. I housed Stela for a year while looking for a better home for her. She is shy and loves people. She is not very found of other birds. She has this cute mumble. She was a feather plucker but she's slowly recovering. Her back, head, shoulders, wings, and most of her underside have fully covered with feathers. There are some areas on her thighs that she still plucks but I am confident that in time she will stop. I placed Stela with the Rachi family in Garden Grove and she is now one everyone's favorite list. I will monitor Stela for the next few years to make sure she doesn't resume the severe feather plucking.

Scandal and Dana.

Scandal and Dana (Chrysolophus Pictus) .

I raised Scandal and Dana from eggs. They are Golden Pheasants and they were handfed their entire youth. Scandal got his name because he was always looking for trouble and chasing after the cats. They both grew into a beautiful couple and are very energetic. They come from different parents but were raised together. They are now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Rachi in Garden Grove, CA and Scandal mesmerizes everyone with his resplendent colors. Golden Pheasants are very active birds and need an aviary that has a lot of height as they like to perch high and jump around in branches. They are also very found of greens so a lawn would be recommended in their enclosure.

Ice and his family

Ice and his family (Chrysolophus Amherstiae).

Ice is a Lady Amherst Pheasant male. He was purchased at a flea market in Texas, together with his two females of 2 years. I brought him home and slowly introduced him in the aviary. From the very beginning, Ice was very territorial. He loved to run around and spread his collar in front of his females. Since they were hand raised, they were extremely tame so I decided to move them in the back yard, in the open. They loved to sleep in trees and run around the yard the rest of the day. At the time, one of my neighbors had a very intrusive rooster that used to jump the fence with one of his chicken and eat with our birds. Ice was territorial and always chased the rooster. I was very uncomfortable with the whole situation. One day, Ice was preening his feathers while I was reading a book. Suddenly, the rooster attacked him from behind and shuffled with his spurs. Ice turn around and chased after the rooster who took off in a hurry but a few steps further, he fell to the ground. I ran over to him and picked him up to see that his right thigh was shattered to pieces. I called the vet and ran him to the clinic. They told me that the only chance he might have is to operate on the thigh. I agreed and three hours later the vet told me that the bird is done. His bone was broken in five places and he had to place two metal wires into it. I never realized that a surgery like that could run into the thousands. I took Ice home and slowly he recovered. He could never walk normal again... in fact he does this moon walk which made a lot of people start calling him Michael Jackson. His personality never changed and neither did his ability to run around impressing the girls. He is a true fighter and survivor. He was placed with Mr. and Mrs. Douglas in Laguna Hills and he, now, enjoys a stress-less life without roosters. His two females never cease to show how much they appreciate his show of color.

Fanica and Sylvia

Fanica (Lophura Diardi).

In 2001 I went to visit Bobby Coldiron, a friend of mine in Milano, TX. I was there to help him sex his Vulturine Guineafowl and look at some of his other birds. Among them he had quite a few Siamese Fireback Pheasants. Looking at them I noticed that one of the males was very stressed and it would be wise to get him out of there. I asked Bobby to sell me a pair and he agreed for $125. I was not familiar at all with these pheasants but I was gonna give them a try. He boxed them for me and I took them back to Dallas. When I got home I realized that the male pheasant was under so much stress that he couldn't walk anymore. I called my vet and he told me that the pheasant has a hyperactive adrenaline gland and he needs a quiet place to recover. I did as the vet said and late next day he started walking again, though slow, stumbling a lot. In time he regained full use of his legs and he is an extremely funny bird, though aggressive. He is the watchdog of the aviary. I am the only human that can go inside without being attacked. He loves to run around all the time displaying and inflating his red cheeks, calling out every time he sees something out of the ordinary. His spurs are very long and sharp and I came to know how much they can hurt twice. He is very gentle with the other birds. He definitely brings a lot of life and character to our avian community.

Sylvia (Lophura Diardi).

At the same time I found Fanica, I saw Sylvia too. She had very crooked toes and was chased around by the other females. I asked Bobby what happened to her and he told me her toes got broken accidentally when she was a chick and he smashed them with the door. I accepted the story though I expected genetic issues to be the cause. I guess I will never know. She was a very hyper, jumpy bird and it took 2 years before she tamed enough to accept food from my hand. Now she is living a happy life, on grass, with plenty of cover, and without the stress of being continuously chased. Her and Fanica are the perfect married couple.

Buddy and Anne

Buddy (Guttera Pucherani Pucherani).

I remember to this day when one of my friends in Texas called me and asked me if I want to take two baby birds from him. I asked him what kind they were but he didn't quite know. He said that they came with a shipment of baby pheasants and he noticed that they were different so he had no use for them. I went and picked up the chicks which must have been 5-6 days old. I looked at them carefully and decided they were probably helmeted guineafowl. I started raising them and I realized pretty fast that they were indeed different because, unlike most guineafowl, these were very tame. Summer came and with it strong thunderstorms. I lost one of the babies in one of the storms. The one that was left, I called Buddy because he was like a puppy...always following me around. This was in 2001. It did not take long before Buddy was covered in his bluish grey feathers with white polka dots all over. It was then that I was sure he was a different type of guinea. I started asking around and I was told that Buddy is a Kenya Crested Guineafowl and that I was extremely lucky to have him. Life in Texas was hard for Buddy and he had to come in the house almost every night during winter. He became so used to it that every night he was pecking at the glass sliding door to come in. Once we moved to California, he has been more in his element. He loves the dry hot summer days. He still is a very friendly bird and he will happily give anyone a tour of the aviary. He is very protective of most other birds and his territory. He is the supreme boss of the aviary and he's very good at keeping order and breaking up fights. He is a tremendous help to me as he helps me deal with all the birds from their own level.

Anne (Guttera Pucherani Pucherani).

I have always been looking for a companion for Buddy. He is a flock bird and I wanted him to have someone to talk to. For a few years I looked but never found one. In the fall of 2003, I talked to Garry of Animals Incorporated in Sacramento. He had a lot of young birds and I was so happy that Buddy could at last have a friend. Anne arrived from Sacramento and she was so little ... reminded me of Buddy when he was young. She has a red band around her leg which helps me tell at once which one she is. Unlike Buddy, she was quite wild but she tamed down within the first 2 weeks. By spring she was in her adult plumage and she bonded closely with Buddy. It is a pleasure to watch him find some tasty morsel and call her over. She is very energetic and boisterous and she explodes in this zig-zag running and jumping. Anne is a wonderful bird and we are delighted to house her in our aviary.

Floyd and Lupi

Floyd and Lupi (Amazona Oratrix).

At the same time when I got the African Grays, I brought home the two Double Yellow Headed Amazons. Floyd and Lupi, both talkative and gregarious. They were such a bonded couple that nothing could come in between them. The sad part is that Floyd had a type of avian epilepsy. I talked to our vet at the time and he told me that there's nothing he could do for the bird. I took care of him but it was heart breaking every time he had an attack. I did the best I could but unfortunately, in early 2005 he had a massive stroke overnight and did not survive it. He was a happy bird otherwise and I know that those years he spent with us were peaceful and comfortable.
Lupi mourned him for weeks and after that she became very clingy. She wanted us around at all times. I looked for another Amazon but while doing that I went to visit one of my friends, Paul Kao out of Northridge. He had three other Double Yellowheaded Amazons. I observed them and asked him if he would want to take Lupi in. He agreed and a few days later I brought her over. She immediately took to this one Amazon called Michael. They are still happily together and I am pleased that I was able to find her such a welcoming family. Paul has raised birds for many years and he has a lot of experience.

Bubu and Fibi

Bubu and Fibi (Psitticus Erithacus Erithacus).

I went to the Canton Animal Mart in Texas for quite a few years. In 2000 I met a lady from Oklahoma that had quite a few parrots and dogs. I talked to her for a while and finally I convinced her to give me four of the birds for the sanctuary. Among the birds were two feather plucked African Grays called Bubu and Fibi and two Double Yellow Headed Amazons.
Bubu and Fibi are amazing birds. They could mimic anything and though Bubu is very loud and dominating, Fibi is the one that would let you scratch her head. Bubu is wild but will take a peanut now and then. Fibi loves men but hates women with a passion. We bonded quickly and I housed them till 2005 when I found a family that was able to give them even better conditions then me. Ted and Viorica Douglas out of Laguna Hills adopted Bubu and Fibi as well as the Lady Amherst pheasants. They now have a beautiful aviary.
After I brought them home from Canton, they both stopped feather plucking and are now in great shape. Bubu and Fibi are a great success story and I will always check on them to see how they are doing.

Bob

Bob (Eclectus Roratus Polychloros).

Bob is probably the closest bird to my heart and his story is that of much previous suffering. In 2001 I was looking in the papers for a companion for Babe. I wanted a Red Sided Eclectus so she won't be alone. I found this add of a woman selling a large number of parrots among which two Red Sided male Eclectus. I went to see the birds and I was so offended by the conditions in which they were kept. The entire place was run down, with rats running around in every direction. There were weeds that had grown waste high and the birds looked awful. There was a pair of Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoos almost completely plucked, a pair of Green Wing Macaws in the same situation, among others, and the two male Eclectus. I tried to convince the lady to give the birds to me but I couldn't. She wanted $500 firm for a male so I had to pick. One of the males was lightly plucked but otherwise in OK shape. The other had an extremely overgrown beak, to the point that the tip was constantly rubbing the neck, stripping it of feathers. He could not eat and he looked very underweight. I picked him. The lady was crying when we left but, honestly, I had no compassion for her feelings.
I got home as fast as I could and cut Bob's beak to its original size and shape. He was so hungry and so happy to be able to eat that he completely ignored Babe. Bob is the sweetest and tamest bird I have ever seen. He loves people so much in spite of the abuse he endured. He bonded with Babe really fast and their relationship is one of many ups and downs. Babe is quite assertive and Bob is slightly shy at times. However, they find good company in each other and they are both excellent fliers. Bob is an acrobat in flight, being able to do circles and change speed and direction.
A few months after I got him I came home from work to find Bob in a corner, bleeding, and very week. I was in a panic and picked him up and rushed to the vet we had at the time. We got to the vet's house at 11 PM and he was so kind to see us. Bob had lost some blood. The vet stiched his leg after making sure there were no broken bones. He gave him a steroid shot and put him on pills and a soft diet that we had to feed it to him for the first three days. I was so afraid to loose him. I think he got overly confident and either BooBoo or Scarlet bit his thigh... but it could've been Babe too. Ever since then, I notice he is very attentive to where the macaws are at all times. I felt so bad for weeks and I was so happy to see him recuperate. He has a limp in that leg to this day. Even though he had so much suffering in his life so far, Bob is a very trusting and an extremely gentle bird. He is my number one friend in there and his playfulness and mooing sounds are a joy to watch and hear.

Babe

Babe (Eclectus Roratus Polychloros).

In 1998 we had a beautiful late summer in Dallas. I remember going to visit some friends of a friend and having coffee and small talk. As we were all cheery, I caught a faint cry that sounded like a parrot. I followed the sound to a shed in the back of the yard. I asked them what is the sound and they told me that they have a parrot. I immediately opened the shed and, in a small cage, I saw a medium sized red parrot. There was no food and no water in there. They kept the it in complete darkness. I asked them about it and they told me that they only gave the parrot food and water once every day at a set time so there would be no mess around. I could not believe my ears. I asked them how could they be so cruel to the poor bird and they told me that it screams a lot and they can't deal with it. They asked me if I wanted it and I said yes without thinking twice. I didn't even know what type of parrot it was and neither did they. I left right away and stopped by my regular avian store. The guy there, Ernie, was very knowledgeable when it came to parrots. I found out that she is a female Red Sided Eclectus and Ernie kept saying that she's a babe. That's why I ended up calling her Babe.
Babe came home and, at the time, I only had BooBoo. I realized that it won't work with the two in the apartment. My mother was out of town then so I went over to her house with Babe. While sitting in the backyard, Babe close to me, I had a sudden idea ... an aviary was the solution to my problem. I went to Home Depot and got what I needed and built a 10Wx15Lx10H aviary in my mother's backyard. After I was all done I installed Babe and BooBoo there without even thinking what my mother will say...It was beautiful, all green, and outside. And then, my mother came home after a few days. She thought I had completely lost all my marbles. I introduced her to Babe and it didn't go as well as I planned as she landed this nasty bite on my mom's side that made her faint and sent her into a shaking shock that lasted for hours. My mother said they all have to go or else she'd cut the aviary open. After much convincing, she let me keep it...though I had always had that fear of coming by and the birds being gone. She never did, after all, but I also moved into a house, soon after, and built my own aviary.
In a short time I came to know Babe really well. She is nothing like the macaws. She means business every time. She is a calm, calculated bird with a very innocent look about her. Every time she had a chance, she bit hard. My hands are witness to the many times she gave me her loving kisses. She never screamed like her previous owners told me and she is very dear to us. She is the most unpredictable bird that we care for but she makes up for it in beauty.