About Us

Nancy Willson and Vicki Livingston are neighbors who share a special love for all kinds of animals. Having raised such a wide variety of animals in their lifetimes, they each have come to find their involvement in parrots and birds in very different ways.

Vicki got her first bird, a parakeet named Cindy, at age two. Her grandmother raised canaries and cockatiels in a uniquely designed indoor atrium in her home. Her Uncle raised finches and other small birds for much of his life. So, understandably, Vicki had a great deal of exposure to birds throughout her lifetime. In addition, as a 4H leader for more than 12 years, Vicki raised caged birds and pigeons for 4H members and their families.

With a knock on the door, a woman asked to trade a horse Vicki owned for a pair of Umbrella Cockatoos that were supposed to be breeders but had never laid an egg. Within 3 months of the trade, a new clutch was laid but the parents abandoned the nest. What was Vicki to do - assist in the hatch, of course. Everyone she contacted said she'd never be able to do it, but knowing the babies would die if she didn't try, she proceeded. 10 hours later, the first baby was out and crying for food! Her first hand fed parrots survived!

Then, while delivering a horse to a client, Vicki was introduced to the Hyacinth Macaw! She was asked "why do you hand feed cockatiels and parakeets when it is the same amount of work to raise a macaw and for a lot more return?" - A light went on!!! She was already feeding 8 small babies and 2 cockatoos - what were a few more? With the support of her husband, Don, two adult sons, Christopher and Michael, as well as her Mom, Lois, Vicki now raises parrots of all varieties.

Nancy, on the other hand, has been a horse and dog person for most of her life, but had very limited exposure to birds until she and her husband, Scott, bought the ranch next door to Vicki. Since then, Nancy has got stuck feeding, cleaning, trimming nails and generally caring for Vicki's birds. Finally, after meeting a special ambassador, Ellen, the Yellow Naped Amazon with the personality of a stage comic, Nancy was hooked! Ellen, standing at the cage door saying "Come on, come on!" as she approached to trim her nails and running for the nestbox while shouting "Oh no, no, no!" when she saw the net was too much to resist....plus listening to her carry on both sides of a conversation or sing "La Cucaracha" when she's trying to get some attention will get her accolades every time! So, Cedar Mountain Aviary was born...

Our aviary is hidden in the San Francisco East Bay, Cedar Mountain Aviary sits on a few hundred acres of secluded, rolling hills. Surrounded by thousands of acres of cattle grazing land and a Regional Park, we are fortunate to raise our babies in privacy and security. Our aviary is closed to the public allowing us to keep our birds from being exposed to outside diseases and to guarantee the highest quality health and care for your baby.

Visitors are always welcome to see available babies but not in our nursery or aviary. An appointment is made for your visit and babies will be brought to our visiting location. We are happy to provide pictures of your baby, its parents, our nursery and aviary for your review. We also post updates, with pictures on our website so that you can follow your baby's progress and share your fun with your friends!

Please enjoy our website!