If You Go

WHAT: Wisconsin Exotics Aviary

WHERE: 2051 Taylor Ave.

HOURS: 4-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

PHONE: (262) 898-1620

SERVICES: Wing- and nail-clipping clinics on Tuesdays, $3 per bird.

RACINE - Jeff Myhre, who already had one full-time job involving pets, has just given himself a second.

On Saturday, the Racine resident opened Wisconsin Exotics Aviary at 2051 Taylor Ave. The shop will carry primarily small- and medium-size pet birds - most of them raised by the business itself.

At age 36, Myhre already has decades of experience with pet birds. "I have managed, raised or kept birds as pets for more than 26 years," he said.

Naturally, Myhre - whose parents, Jim and Cindy, are involved behind the scenes - has his own pet birds: a Catalina macaw, an Eleanora cockatoo and a Congo African gray parrot.

Myhre has lots of other animal-handling experience. He is now a full time, senior dog handler at Woofdorf-Astoria Dog Hotel and Day Spa. He plans to keep that job while running Exotics Aviary.

He said he also worked at Jo-Don Farms in Caledonia for eight years as zookeeper, animal transporter and education coordinator.

Myhre said he will breed and raise about 75 percent of his store's birds. Those he cannot raise, he promised, he will buy only from known, ethical breeders.

Many of those breeders are surprisingly nearby; Myhre uses two from Racine: Penny Tyykila, and Randy and Bonnie Hansen. He also uses breeders in Illinois and Iowa, and one in California.

He thinks that will help him compete against the big pet stores, as well as using a nutritional product that Myhre considers highly cost-effective.

Birds and education

A brief rundown of the types of birds that Wisconsin Exotics Aviary will carry:

About four kinds of canaries ranging in price from about $70 to $110.

A changing assortment of finches, at least eight species. Finches can range from $24 to $180 per pair.

English and American parakeets, ranging from $15 for a standard parakeet to $150.

Cockatiels and love birds, each averaging about $85.

Bird feeds, toys, cages and other accessories.

As a former education coordinator, Myhre wants responsible, educated bird owners. His shop has an educational aviary against one wall that will change over time. Friday, that spacious aviary contained Australian grass parakeets, Bourke parakeets, opaline Bourkes, or roseys; a gorgeous turquoisine parakeet and cockatiels.

Myhre said that area will have a map showing where the birds come from, and interactive learning activities.

"We're not going to be a store where you can just walk in and buy what you want," without Myhre having a conversation with you about the bird, he said.

Similarly, he will very seldom offer any of the large parrot species, which can end up sad, neglected creatures when their novelty has worn off.

"As a first-time bird owner, I won't be selling you a yellow-naped Amazon," Myhre said.