Queensland man runs retirement home for birds whose owners have passed away

A Queensland bird lover has founded a special home for a variety of birds whose owners have died or are too old to continue caring for them.

Cawarral man Ken Banks’ efforts currently see him watching after a 91-year-old one-eyed cockatoo and hundreds of canaries, ABC News reports.

Mr Banks, who has had birds as pets since he was a young boy, said the amount of birds presently in his charge – which range from tiny finches to galahs and spectacular cockatoos – sits somewhere between 1500 and 1800.

He said many of his resident cockatoos are in fact much older than him.

Between taking care of his charges Mr Banks also serves as the president of the Rockhampton Finch and Parrot Social Club – proof that his passion for birds remains as strong as ever.  

"I just love them. My wife will tell you I spend 90 percent of my time with the birds,” Mr Banks said.