VietNamNet Bridge – Many members of the HCMC-based Exotic Parrot Club have this hobby in common, gathering together every week these days to show off their pets, and to share their enthusiasm toward their colorful talking birds that are close friends to them.

David Lim, founder of Exotic Parrot Club, poses for a photo with parrots

“In early mornings, my parrot often calls me “Chi oi, day di choi” (Sister, wake up and go out) as if it wished me a happy day ahead,” says Tran Hong Trang, a member of the club when meeting with other members at a café in the city. Accompanying them to such offline meetings are of course colorful parrots that are able to talk, that seem to understand what their owners say, and can entertain people around.

The club was founded five months ago by David Lim, a Malaysian man of Singaporean descent who is currently living and working in HCMC, with hundreds of members around the country. Members of the club are ones who love parrots but many of them also have passion for other pets. Therefore, guests to the gatherings are also playful squirrels, lazy cats, gentle iguanas and snakes.

At such weekly meetings, which normally take place at cafés around the city or somewhere in outlying districts, members happily share their passion for parrots, and talk about how to take care of them and where to buy foods and toys for parrots. While admiring beautiful parrots and other species, they also share experiences on how to give quick treatment when parrots get sick, and what and where to find proper food for parrots in different periods of their lives.

Members of the club often post videos, images and information about parrots onto the club’s social network.

“Parrots are very smart birds and they can live as long as humans with about seventy years,” says Lim. He notes that parrots can eat all fruits, except avocado, all vegetables except mushroom, and cannot drink alcohol nor eat chocolate.

The club boasts many types of parrots of such names as Sun Conure, Jenday Conure, Fisher’s Lovebird, Rosy Faced Loverbird, Indian Ringneck, Macaw parrots, Blossom Headed Parakeet, and Grey Headed Parakeet among others. They are often imported from South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, and India, as well as from the Central and the South of Vietnam. Dried foods for parrots are often imported also.

“Parrots can not only mimic a human’s voice but also are emotional ones as they can be happy, sad, or angry like people. Therefore, the important thing for parrot owners is to know how to play with them and consider them friends to talk, to smile, to eat and to sleep together,” says Cao Thi Thuy Ngan as a club member.

Lim agrees with Ngan, saying that in many foreign countries, parrots are used to treat mental trauma, especially for kids.

Huynh Dinh Huy, student at a university, talks about his squirrels and parrots, saying he always feels happy with those pets.

“My family becomes busier, happier and noisier with small friends and my parents always play with them whenever they are free,” Duy takes pride on the pets.

And such little friends can also give lessons to their owners, remarks school student Huynh Huu Nghia, who adores parrots and green iguanas. Nghia says that he can learn a lot from such small species, such as being loyal, patient and always confident.

SGT/VNN