Rocket Scientist, 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist and Hard-Worker™!! RMCAD grad, noise maker, I never sleep and I'm a BONAFIED ASSHOLE. (。•̀ᴗ-)✧
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How did Christopher Driggins of Vancouver, WA earn the nickname, “Birdman”?
Living with more than 30 exotic pet birds probably has something to do
with it.
“I won’t discriminate against a feather,” said Driggins. He
spends his free time helping orphaned pet birds in Vancouver while
working two jobs unrelated to bird rescue. “My average day is 4-5 hours of sleep, 7 days a week, working two jobs and taking care of 30 birds in three locations.”
“It is true, I’ve had to
make a few sacrifices in my life. Thus, I’ve always been single…almost
married twice. I have 32 “kids” at home at this moment that need me,“
said Driggins.
Birdman’s specialty is orphaned exotic pet birds.
Owners often don’t realize the lifelong commitment an exotic bird
requires. On average, domesticated exotic birds can change hands 8 times
in their lifetime. Once the bird is completely rehabilitated,
Driggins carefully finds an owner who fully understands the
responsibility and commitment it takes to properly care for an exotic
bird.
Driggins also fields injured bird calls 24 hours a day via his
bird hotline. He’s visited nearly every corner of Clark County helping
hawks, owls, blue herons – you name it. Driggins rehabilitates birds at
his Vancouver sanctuary which also doubles as his home. He’s been doing
bird rescue since 1988, making quite the name for himself. Local police
and fire often rely on Birdman’s expertise in emergencies.
Recently
he received a call from the Coroner’s office for urgent assistance.
Animal control was in a standoff with a pet bird guarding an owner who
had recently passed away. Chris swept in and quickly diffused the
situation.
Chris created Northwest Bird Rescue, a not for profit
business that relies heavily on volunteers to keep it running. He posts
his adventures regularly on his Facebook and YouTube channel.
If you
see his gold Town & Country van rolling around Vancouver with the
yellow emergency light and bright yellow decals reading “CAUTION,
INJURED BIRD ON BOARD,” be sure to smile and wave – he’s doing great
things for our community.
Northwest Bird Rescue suffered a major loss in 2006 when a volunteer embezzled all of their funds in 24 hours. They have been trying to regain flight ever since. Northwest Bird Rescue is a not for profit business that relies heavily on volunteers.