It's party time for the birds! All they need now is a disco ball and a laser light show and they can start selling tickets to standing-room-only crowds.

More than ever before, the birds at Best Friends are getting a chance to mingle. These are birds who have been chatting as neighbors for years, in some cases, but have never had a chance to rub wings together. Until now.

It's interesting how things unfolded. At first, staff decided to build a big outdoor flight area for the cockatiels. Then, it was going to be a cockatoo flight area instead. After all, cockatoos are much bigger birds and need more room to stretch and play. And then, there were the macaws to consider.Š

But then, a new wrinkle. You know how when there's a new toy in the house, all the kids fight over it at once? Same thing here. All the birds wanted to check out the spiffy new play area. So the bird caregivers came up with a great idea: They'd just rotate who got to use the place. Kinda like a parrot park.

The new room is big enough, for instance, to put all the African grays at Best Friends in at once. Or, all the macaws at once. Bird get-togethers this big have never happened before. And the birds are loving it. Here's just one example. Cody is a single male African gray who has lived at Best Friends for years. He went into this new party room with all the other "grays" at the sanctuary, many of whom are already bonded pairs.

Cody was the only eligible bachelor at the party. So, two single female "grays" swarmed right over to meet the handsome stranger. Boy, were the sparks a flyin'! Cody has already asked Santa for a little black address book as a stocking stuffer this year. Sounds like he's going to need it.

Story by David Dickson
Photo of cockatiels by April Dickson

Would you like to learn more about parrots? Here's everything you need to know in a nutshell.

Or, sponsor Cody (or sponsor him for someone on your gift list!).

December 21, 2007 : 2:56 PM ET
posted by: magsfarm

Thank you for your comments~! Those are cockatiels in the photo. You make a good point!!!

It is very sad that parrots were ever taken out of the wild and made into pets – and continue to be bred in captivity because of their popularity. unfortunately now we have a huge problem of homeless parrots to consider. You might want to check out one of our Parrot Staff member’s blogs – to read more about his views and opinions “parrots as pets”.

http://network.bestfriends.org/Blogs/Detail.aspx?b=1594&g=737f8fa31801411e9a79a4b22b95b826

December 21, 2007 : 1:20 PM ET
posted by: rmlamasney25

What kind of birds are those in the photo? Sorry, I know little about exotic birds...but they are so pretty with the sweetest expression. can see why someone would like them for a pet.

However, I think birds are best left to live in nature....I'll be content with admiring the winter flock at my feeder: flicker, downy woodpecker, cardinals, bluejays, juncos, titmice, chickadees, mourning doves, song sparrows, goldfinches, purple finches....

December 21, 2007 : 12:59 PM ET
posted by: MagsFarm

Dear RavenLove~ I love what you wrote about Cody!! You need to come and visit again soon and hear all the new things that he has learned, and is now teaching the other Parrots at Feathered Friends~!

I can hear him out in the kitchen while I am 2 rooms away at my desk. He is always entertaining, whether you are chopping up food in the kitchen or mopping the floor - He will have something to say about it!

December 20, 2007 : 1:35 PM ET
posted by: MagsFarm

Hello~! The new outdoor flight aviary is resting right now until we have warmer weather up here again. We have great plans for next year - more outdoor flights and maybe we'll even get some indoor flights for the larger parrots like we have inside for the Cockatiels - for next winter!

For a photo of the outdoor aviary and its builder, Al Johson - see our Parrots at Best Friends community page: http://network.bestfriends.org/News/Admin/21452.html

And - while you are there please join our community - Thanks! Maggie and the Parrots

December 20, 2007 : 7:31 AM ET
posted by: ravenlove

This is great, the birds have a chance to spread their wings and socialize! I have a Cody story. During an immersion day at Feathered Friends last year, I was cleaning parrot cages. At the time, Cody was in a room that you had to walk through to get to the other parrot/cockatiel rooms. Cody can say many phrases but the one he seemed to be stuck on was, "What cha doin'?" He said it pretty much everytime I walked by. Being the patient person that I am, I think to myself, "I can handle this, I'll play the game." So, each time I answer, "Nothin', what are you doin'?" However, about 45 minutes into it, I was cleaning the room where he lives and by now I'm a little hot and sweaty. I bent down to pick up the soiled papers that were under his stand and he said "What cha doin'? for what felt like the hundredth time, and I looked up at him and said, "Cleaning, would you like to help?" He immediately turned his head to the side with his beak to the sky as if to say, "Not me!" I replied, "I didn't think so..." I thought maybe we were done, but he waited about fifteen minutes or so, and as to test the waters, sheepishly said, "What cha doin'?" He was so cute with his head cocked to the side, staring intently. What could I do but reply, "Nothin' what are you doin'?"

December 19, 2007 : 2:51 PM ET
posted by: marys

How fun for the birdies! Love that you all care so much about their happiness, as well as their health.

December 18, 2007 : 8:38 PM ET
posted by: Squeakie42

If you're going to do a dance party for them, I'd recommend downloading the YouTube video of Snowball the cockatiel dancing to Backstreet Boys. You could leave it playing on a loop setting and see how many birdies join in!

December 18, 2007 : 5:23 PM ET
posted by: deegers

Great picture of the cockatiels. What a neat idea!

December 18, 2007 : 4:58 PM ET
posted by: kittychump

Great news!! :) So glad the birdies will have their own, much cooler version of the "Christmas office party!" :D I'm impressed with the versatility of the space/design involved - and the flexibility involved regarding caregiving and careplanning. Nice holiday gift to the birdies, for sure!!! ;)