"FLOPPER’s" FRIENDS
(Blue Jay Assistants)
Purpose: To provide healthy daily care to our resident blue jay,
"Flopper".
- Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide appropriate care to the blue jay on an assigned day
- Be reliable
- Add safe, pre-approved enrichment "toys" or food to stimulate normal bird
behavior and prevent boredom
Requirements/Skills:
- Ability to sit on floor to clean out cage
- Prepare a variety of nutritious food items
- Willing to handle mealworms and wax worms which are essential parts of the jay’s
diet
- Properly clean food and water dishes and cage with antibacterial soap
- Enjoy working with birds
- Evaluate general health, appearance and behavior of the blue jay
Training Required:
- Volunteer Orientation, Special training given on individual basis
Time Commitment:
- Accept assignment of one day per week. May be a substitute if unable to commit on a
regular basis
- Time needed: any time before 10:00 am on weekdays; 10:00 am on Saturday and 1:00 pm on
Sunday. Actual work time is about a half hour. (Many stay longer to enjoy watching
"Flopper" find his favorite foods and then hide them under the newspaper.)
Benefits:
- A fun, entertaining and educational experience with the blue jay
- Work independently and at your own pace in helping TOC with their education bird
- Learn about the care of a wild bird in captivity
- Be part of a unique group of volunteers with a specialized assignment
- Obtain a blue jay pin made by Jim Jackson after completing four days of
"Flopper" care.
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