Parrot Mountain and Gardens in the Great Smokey Mountains was amazing.  The gardens and exotic birds piqued everyone’s interest.  It’s a great family activity if you’re traveling with children.  So, today I’m sharing my pictures on this unique travel destination.  Heading to the Smokey Mountains in TN in the fall to relax from the year’s activities has become an annual trip for me.

The fall colors and the laid back environment is a draw.  Especially, when I need to regroup and release some stress.  I try to visit someplace different each time I go to the Smoky Mountains.  I’m a bird watcher and feeder, so Parrot Mountain and Gardens was high on my list of things to do

Fletcher Hollingsworth owns Parrot Mountain and Gardens.  He purchased the property and opened the bird sanctuary and gardens.  He likes to say that he opened the business on a wing and a prayer.  Apparently, he acquired a love for birds when he was a little boy.   He has a collection of 130 species.  Some were pets that owners no longer wanted or could take care of, abused or needed to be rehabilitated.  They are also bred them as well.

First, Parrot Mountain is located on top of a mountain.  If you’re not comfortable driving up, over, around or down a mountain, you may not want to be the driver.  If I had found a place to turn around, I would have missed this treasure.  I thought I was driving straight up to heaven.

If you are driving an RV, there is an area where you can park and an employee will come down to the area to get you.  Now that I’m thinking about it, they may do the same for those who have a fear of driving up the mountain.  I didn’t know the pull off area existed; however, I heard a conversation between an employee and a visitor.  I did notice it as I was going back down the mountain.  I must admit, going down wasn’t as nerve wrecking as going up.  The beauty of the sanctuary outweighed my nerves in the end.

Once you enter the parking lot, these beautiful parrots await you.  More likely than not, they’re having a party!  They’re loud, talking, squawking or just commanding attention.  It gives you a glimpse of what awaits inside the park.

Once you enter, there’s a sidewalk that leads you around the displays.  There’s more parrots and birds than I can count, but each have their own personality and they are beautiful.  You can take your time strolling through the park, and watching them interact or checking you out.

The birds are loved and well taken care of at Parrot Mountain and Gardens. The cages are immaculate, and you won’t find a feather on the ground. The only smell is fresh air. They are housed in cages outside during the spring and summer. During the winter, they are moved inside.

This is the Green Wing Macaw, which is confused with the Scarlett Macaw at times.  However, the Scarlett Macaw has more yellow in its feathers.  (See the first picture above.  The bird with the yellow and blue on its wings is a Scarlett Macaw).  These guys loved posing for pictures and crave attention. The Green Wing Macaw is native to South America, and has become an endangered species.  It’s a large bird that loves Brazil Nuts and sliced fruit.  If interested in purchasing, you will need a large cage.  However, if taken care of properly the Green Wing Macaw can have a life span of 70 years.

This was my favorite bird at the sanctuary, the Hyacinth Macaw. Maybe because blue is my favorite color. The Hyacinth Macaw is a large bird as well, and also native to South America. They are also an endangered species. Furthermore, they are one of the most expensive birds on the market. They come at a price tag of $850 to $15,000. Their lifespan in the wild is between 50-60 years. However, they are not meant for the novice bird owner.

Another beauty is the Moluccan Cockatoo.  It’s actually a pinkish color rather than white.  This guy loves attention.  He primed and posed for the camera.  Moluccan cockatoos are native to eastern Indonesia. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, nuts and insects.  They require a lot of space, and a lot of attention.  If they don’t receive it, they will become aggressive.  Possibly harming themselves.  Furthermore, they don’t like to be confined.  You will need to provide an area where they can be free.  But, don’t let them near your furniture.  They are destructive. Put a play gym on your list.

The Goffin Cockatoo looks very similar to the Moluccan Cockatoo.  However, the Goffin is more white than the Moluccan Cockatoo.  Also, the Goffin Cockatoo is small for a Cockatoo, but it requires lots of attention just the same.  They can be destructive as well, and require a large cage.  They Goffin  Cockatoo is also native to Indonesia.  Your pet Goffin Cockatoo will want lots of toys.  They like to chew and destroy.  Toys that challenge them are their preference.  Taking things apart and undoing knots keeps them occupied.  Unlocking their cages is a challenge for them.  Make sure you have a sturdy one.

This is the African Crane.  Reminded me of myself on a bad hair day.   The African Crane is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Additionally, Uganda, where it is represented on its national flag and Kenya to eastern South Africa.  Also, it is an endangered species.  These cranes eat plants, seeds, grain, insects, worms, snakes, and small fish. They spend the day looking for food and roost in trees at night.  It too is an endangered species.

This is the Great-Billed Parrot or Island Parrot.  The Great-Billed parrot is native to the south-east Asian islands including eastern Indonesia, the Philippines and islands of west New Guinea.  They require a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and a high-quality seed mix of safflower, paddy rice, wheat, oats, canary grass seed and various millets.  Other foods include pine cones, cooked rice, rose-hips and small quantities of dried shrimp.  They are generally quiet birds, but require lots of space.

We also saw a Silver Cheek Hornbill.  It is native to Africa as well.  They love fruits, insects, rodents, small reptiles and centipedes.  What caught my eye was the covering on the beak, which I later learned is a casque.  This bird is quite large, and the color striking.  It sits quite majestically on its perch just checking you out.

Parrot Mountain has an area where kids and kids at heart can interact with the birds.  You can hold them, have your picture taken with them or just watch everyone around you and take your own pictures.  There is a fee for the picture, and they can be picked up in the souvenir shop.  Additionally, they have a vending machine where you can buy seed for a quarter.  The birds love them.  This is an employee handling one of the birds.  You can see where the birds have torn holes in his jacket.  For this reason, I by-passed holding any of them.

There’s also an area where they have baby birds for sale.  Make sure you have padded your purse or wallet, they are pricey.  But, you can be assured that your purchase at Parrot Mountain has been loved.  Just follow the pathways to view the exhibits.  After you have exhausted yourself, stop at the café and grab a bite to eat.  They have a small souvenir shop there as well.  So, be sure to add Parrot Mountain to your list of Things to Do in Sevierville, TN.  You will pass Dollywood as you’re heading to Parrot Mountain, so be sure you plan for both.