SENIOR CITIZENS ENJOY BIRD WATCHING IN NEW AVIARY AT AREA NURSING HOME

A new group of Cape Girardeau residents have joined the hobby of bird watching.

"It's fast becoming a popular pastime here," said Jo Hancock, administrator of Cape LaCroix Care Center. "The residents can watch such birds as diamond doves from Australia, green singing finches from Africa and an orange-cheek waxbill from Africa."

These species, and others, are included in a special bird aviary, which has been added to the nursing care facility at 2525 Boutin Drive.

"Research has shown that contact with animals of all types is beneficial to people," said Hancock. "The aviary can serve as a form of therapy."

The aviary, designed, built and stocked with birds by Living Design, Inc., of Sioux Falls, S.D., was installed at the local center Oct. 1, and is home to 19 birds 10 varieties.

"We don't have a canary yet," said Hancock, "but, it will be here in the near future. Watching birds is an ideal activity for people who can't participate in other activities. The aviary is designed to place birds in a natural setting."

"They're just beautiful," said Estelle Koerner, a resident at the center. "I could stay here all day and watch them."

Koerner's favorite is the orange-cheek waxbill.

"I'm going to call him Pretty Boy," said Koerner. The waxbill sports a bright, almost-red cheek patch, and is one of the most active birds in the aviary, a setting which measures just over six feet high, eight feet long and three feet wide.

"The waxbill is the only `loner' in the aviary," said Hancock. "All of the other birds are pairs. They say the waxbill is mean to its mate, so they won't pair him up until mating season."

"I love 'em," said Frances Shemwell. "I just can't believe we have the birds here every day."

Cella Bretz and Rosie Foster also like to watch the birds.

"They're great," said Bretz.

"It amazing how much interest has been shown since the birds arrived," echoed Jewell Ellis, who is in charge of medical records at the facility, and Teresa Pell, activities director. Pell said, "This area of the facility has really been crowded at times."

But Velma Orr still likes the fish tank, with its seven fish.

"I have named each one of the fish," said Orr. "There's Big Daddy, Golda, and Burger, among others."

While the aviary at the home is providing residents with enjoyment, it is also providing birds for other aviaries. Young birds which will be raised in the aviary will be removed when old enough and placed in other aviaries.

"We already have eggs in one nest," said Hancock. "The society finches four of them are all involved in taking care of the eggs in the nest."

The society finches were developed by the Chinese to be foster parents to other birds, noted Hancock.

The aviary includes several nesting baskets.

"The residents here can watch baby birds grow up,"said Hancock. "Hopefully other birds will soon be laying eggs and raising their young."

The idea of an aviary at Cape LaCroix came from a volunteer.

"One of the volunteers suggested it," said Hancock. "He had heard about the birds being used as a sort of therapy in other nursing care centers."

Hancock said she had an opportunity to see an aviary when she attended the Missouri Health Care Convention. "People there raved about them," she said.

"We've always been aware of the therapy benefits of animals," said Hancock. "We're located just across the road from the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, and from time to time, they bring animals here to visit patients, and will continue to do so."

Hancock said the center she previously worked at had two resident cats.

"They (cats) had the run of the facility," she said. "Here we also have our fish tank."

"We are so pleased with our new bird aviary," said Hancock. "we feel the aviary will be a continued source of enjoyment for residents, patients, visitors and staff. When the residents found out the birds would be here permanently, they were pleased."

One of the early benefits of the aviary has been the interaction of patients as they watch the birds. "It (aviary) appears to be an ice-breaker for the residents," said Hancock. "The residents start conversations with each other as they talk about the birds."

Living Design, a Sioux Falls, Iowa firm, has aviaries in 350 nursing homes in 14 states.

"Our aviary is on a lease-purchase plan," said Hancock. "Living Design replaces the birds as needed and does a complete maintenance check every three months."