In Australia, Ken Banks has dedicated his life to something most people would never imagine: running a “retirement home” for birds. More than 1,400 parrots, cockatoos, and other species live in his sanctuary—birds who have outlived their owners and would otherwise face a sad fate.
Among them is Popeye, a 91-year-old cockatoo, blind in one eye from cancer but still spirited and full of life. For Ken, Popeye isn’t “just a bird.” He’s family. “I can’t see a bird being put down when it’s healthy and I can give it a home,” Ken says.
Ken doesn’t take a cent for what he does. There are no admission fees, no donations required, and no fame sought. Every single day, he wakes up early, cleans cages, prepares food, and spends time comforting the birds. He talks to them, listens to their squawks and whistles, and makes sure each one feels safe.
His work isn’t glamorous. It’s hard, messy, and often exhausting. But it’s fueled by one thing: love. Love for creatures that others may have forgotten, but Ken refuses to give up on.
Through his quiet devotion, Ken proves something powerful—that dignity and care shouldn’t stop just because life nears its end. For Popeye and every bird in his sanctuary, Ken Banks is more than a caretaker. He is their protector, their voice, and their home.