This is Hilo, a seven year old Black Capped Conure. He is very intelligent and caring, and even talks. He loves a wide variety of foods, including blueberries, walnuts, peppers and squash. This picture is an homage to Hilo, but also shows how common the exotic bird trade is in our country. Hilo is well taken care of and happy, but there are many parrots in captivity in our country that are living in squalor. This has also damaged the native ecosystems of these birds. Maybe appreciating these birds in pictures, or visiting their ecosystems would be a more appropriate way to enjoy them.