by Dottie Barnes

photos by Bernadine Carey-Tucker     video by Jeremy Knickerbocker

“Hi Babe,” or “Good Morning” are some of the ways Paul Plotkowski is greeted — by his pet birds.

In the 1967 song, “Talk to the Animals,” Dr. Dolittle said imagine it — talking to the animals would mean he would be “no boring M.D.” Well, Plotkowski is no boring Ph.D. He and his wife, Doreen, talk to and care for 11 pet birds, four dogs and seven cats. The birds are the only ones that talk back, in English.

“If properly socialized, birds interact with each other and with their owners,” said Paul, dean of the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. “They cuddle, play and talk back. They talk to each other and develop vocabularies.”

Paul and Doreen call their birds by name: Izzy (Green Cheek Conure); Louie (Cockatiel); Stella, Reca and Greyson (African Greys); Rosa, Casper and Manny (Goffin’s Cockatoos); Tootsie (Amazon) and Pepper (Macaw).

Most of these parrots were rescued by the Plotkowskis and brought back to good health. The couple also own Tillie, a Mini Toucan that they keep at their store. In 2012, they purchased Casa La Parrot in Wyoming, Michigan. The store has about 100 birds for sale, representing 20 different species, from finches to macaws. They also sell bird food, toys and cages, and offer grooming and boarding.

Their interest in birds began 12 years ago when their daughter, Jessica, wanted a pet bird.

“We had all kinds of animals up to that point — hamsters and guinea pigs — and then Jessica asked for a bird. Doreen did some research and we bought Izzy at a local bird fair. We all fell in love with her,” said Paul.

Doreen began to study birds and the nature of conures. “We quickly found out conures love to direct and be the flock leader,” said Doreen. “Izzy is a huge bird in a little body.”

Their fascination with birds grew and, within a year of purchasing Izzy, the Plotkowskis turned the lower level of their home into a place to breed birds and make bird toys. “We found out that birds entertain themselves by destroying toys, literally,” said Paul. “Doreen started making bird toys using
consumable items like paper, cardboard, rope and wood. Before we purchased Casa La Parrot, Doreen provided the store with toys for sale and that’s how our relationship started with the owners.”

The business has become a family affair. Paul designed, renovated and expanded the store, and Jessica,’13, now works there.

When the family first considered buying Casa La Parrot, Paul said they sought help from the regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) housed in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley.

The SBDC provides counseling, business education, planning and technology guidance to businesses in the state. SBDC representatives helped the Plotkowskis develop a business plan and secure financing.

The store has two full-time employees and a lot of volunteers. The Plotkowskis no longer breed birds, but use the lower level of their home as a workshop to make bird toys. Like most pet lovers, Paul and Doreen have a real connection to their birds.

“Birds are extremely intelligent and intuitive; many people don’t realize that,” said Paul. “Birds can really understand you and your emotions. They empathize with you. You can’t just buy them and put them in a cage. It’s not what they want.”

The Plotkowskis said cockatoos are cuddly and like to kiss and African Greys do more than mimic, they know what to say and when to say it, and can have a conversation.

“I always tell the birds I will see them after work, or that I will see them in a couple days if I am going away for a while,” said Doreen. “I try to give them a sense of timing. They understand whether I will be home in a couple hours or a few days. Several of our birds have been in a few different homes and this helps to keep them from feeling that they are going to be abandoned.”

Vacuuming at the Plotkowskis triggers some unusual behaviors.

“Tootsie will wolf whistle and say, ‘I’m a good boy.’ All of the other birds try to climb into their water bowls to take a bath. We don’t understand it, but it happens at the store, too,” said Paul. If Reca senses someone is feeling down she will say, “Are you all right?” and if she sees someone put shoes on, she will say, “Go bye-bye,” “Reca go bye-bye.”

“When our dogs are outside, the birds call the dogs back inside for us,” said Paul.

Talking to the animals, just imagine it. The Plotkowskis are.