Canada's insider blog

Some use their beak. Others like to paint with their toes. But whatever their preference, they go at it with gusto.

“Once they start they have so much fun because they like to squish things and the more you laugh and the more you jump up and down, the more they will do it!” says Wendy Huntbatch, president of the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs, B.C.

‘They’ are some of the more than 800 parrots that live permanently at the refuge after being abandoned by their previous owners.

Getting them to paint is one way for the educational organization to raise awareness, as well as money to feed and care for the birds.

And for parrots with an artistic bent, it’s a chance to show off.

The cockatoos have proven to be the best painters so far, says Huntbatch.

“Bailey’s prolific. He can paint three pictures in a day.”

Then there’s Lucky-Loo and Dinkie Doo.

“Dinkie Doo is blind,” explains Huntbatch “and Lucky-Loo makes sure he knows where everything is. I have to say that he painted the best picture. It was beautiful.”

The paintings sell for $75 each and can be ordered online. Even better, visit the refuge and meet your favourite Picasso in person.