This is a travel day for me, so I’ve posted these photos to give you a Monday morning chuckle.
My mom’s parakeet developed a funny habit in her declining years. She overcame her fear of flying into the kitchen of my mom’s apartment, and she figured out how to pry the door of the cupboard open and slip inside.
Mom would eventually realize Birdie was missing and would call out, “Birdie, where are you?”
Birdie peeped an answer from inside the cupboard.
“You better come out of there,” Mom said.
And Birdie would nudge the cupboard door open enough to peer out.
Eventually she learned to push the door hard enough that it would stay partway open. From her perch inside the cupboard, Birdie supervised all activity in the kitchen until she grew bored and returned to her toys by her cage in the living room.
Yes, the cupboard required frequent cleanings. My brother got that job. Ha.
Birdie had a few other tricks, but nothing quite as much fun as the birdie in the cupboard game. She was the tamest bird I’ve ever met.
When I came to visit, she was nosy, but mostly wanted to inspect my shoes. She liked my shoelaces and the Nike Swoosh. She would have liked to land on my head, but I wasn’t too interested in that idea.
It’s pretty strange that we became so attached to this parakeet. Over time, however, I decided her little birdie brain held a lot more information than I would have thought possible.
Birdie is gone now. I’m glad my brother managed to get these photos. How else would anyone believe such a silly story?
Wow, much smarter than our parakeet. However, I often thought the same as you, that that “bird brain” held a lot more than I gave credit. We also have a family cockatiel which is so attached to me, it knows my voice over the phone and will sing to me over the phone if I call home. I adore your pictures but would have believed you without them!
it is hard to believe that they call goofy folks ‘bird brains’ isn’t it. I know that each of my hens and my roo have a distinct personality and they are all vastly amusing. I love these pictures and I love these various wonders that are our world!
The photo of her peeking out from the cupboard is truly priceless! Quirky personality 🙂
That is a wonderful story. It makes me want to go out and buy a bird.
CD
What a special little bird!) It’s impossible not to smile when looking at the photos.
Pat, I’m glad it’s a travel day for you, ’cause we got the birdy story! Neat! It is amazing how we can all work through our fears, eh?
Birds aren’t as “bird-brained” as the stereotype.
[Do newspapers help in the cupboard? My NYC daughter is trying to potty-train her mini-parrot.]
And of course, if you wrote it in a book, half your readers would think you were OTT.
As an avid animal lover, I enjoyed this post and pics. Such cute antics from Birdie!
i just loved this! Thanks, Patricia.
Those little birds can have a lot of personality and they can get into a lot of mischief. Thanks for sharing Birdie’s story.
This did give me a chuckle, Pat. Thanks for sharing.
karen
Hey Patricia – lovely post and great photos. They did make me smile on a rainy Monday here in Dublin. I must say I think birds, for creatures with very little brains, are very clever. And Birdie clearly proves that!
The photo’s certainly gave me a Monday morning chuckle. Safe journey.
Yvonne.