People normally think of dogs as man's best friends, but to Brian Wilson, his two pet parrots are his best friends.
It all began in 1995, when Brian was still a fire fighter. A car accident caused serious damage to his brain. After several months of treatment, Brian's doctors said that he would never talk again and would have to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.
However, according to Brian, his two pet parrots didn't give up easily. They kept talking to him day and night, until one day, he said one word, then another, and all of a sudden was talking like a normal person again!
Brian was so thankful that he decided to set up a home for birds which are not wanted by their owners.
Now 15 years later, his house is home to about 80 birds, including a great variety of birds like several macaws, cockatoos and African grays. The birds fly around from room to room, some cackling, others talking like humans. Though they all have big cages, Brian lets them fly freely inside the house.
Over the years, Brian has developed a special relationship with birds. The birds who bite other humans, seem to like him and can get along with him well. He is now called a bird whisperer.
Brian pays for most of the costs of looking after the birds from his own money, but has recently established a foundation to accept donations. He and his birds also earn money by performing at birthday parties, weddings and other social events.
For people who want to adopt Brian's birds, they have to volunteer at the foundation for three months, before they can take the pet home.
