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It's been a long journey from Arizona to Maryland, but the roughly 40 formerly abused and neglected tropical birds of Garuda Aviary finally have a permanent place to take flight.

The flock came to Kunzang Palyul Chˆling Buddhist temple in Poolesville in August 2006 from a converted two-car garage, where they were cared for by the Maryland center's spiritual leader. They stayed in an army tent and gutted music studio until an indoor aviary was constructed last fall, and now have a chance to fully spread their wings in their outdoor flight cage, which celebrated its grand opening on Sunday.

The $10,000 enclosure was built thanks to a donation from an African grey parrot owner in Germany, according to Claire Waggoner, the nonprofit aviary's director. The flight cage is made from a chain link fence with smaller holes that is tough enough to withstand pressure from the birds' beaks. A smaller cage will be built inside the enclosure to accommodate tiny conures and cockatoos, and a drinking system and misting apparatus will come later.

No longer solely confined in indoor cages, the public will be able to visit the birds by appointment. The birds are supervised when they're outside in case of fights or the presence of predators such as raccoons or opossums.

"They are prey animals and we're predators, so when they're in small cages, they feel trapped," Christopher Zeoli, the birds' main caretaker said Sunday from inside the enclosure, a massive hyacinth macaw perched serenely on his shoulder.

"I'm going to put in a sign on this side that says ‘bird observatory' and one the other side that says ‘primate observatory' because they're watching us, too," Zeoli joked as the birds sat on a series of handmade wooden perches, navigated the walls with their claws and beaks and hung from the ceiling.

Many of the temple's monks and nuns and a group of worshippers gathered to bless the flight cage and ask that the birds be reborn into happier lives. Many of the birds had been abused by their owners, such as one who was thrown against a wall and burned with cigarette butts. In addition to providing sanctuary for unwanted pets, one of the aviary's goals is to discourage people from buying the birds, which can live anywhere from 30-80 years and fare poorly in captivity.

"On average, a bird will go through 10 homes in seven years, which is hard because they bond with people," said author Mira Tweti, who spoke about the problems with the pet bird trade.

The sounds imitated by the birds provide their caretakers with hints about what their former homes were like, such as ones that whinny or sing opera. Some of the birds now bark, copying noises produced by the stray dogs taken in by the temple from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Others, such as two African greys cared for by Pema Mallu, a nun and holistic vet, make sounds that are more representative of their peaceful environs.

"One of Pema's birds has learned to say ‘Om mani padme hum,'" a mantra that invokes compassion, laughed monk Konchog Norbu.

To learn more about Garuda Aviary or to donate, visit www.garudaaviary.org. The birds can be viewed by appointment at 18400 River Road by calling Claire Waggoner at 301-378-0080.