My Big Bird's Eye View!
Many people inherit items from family members before them that hold either monetary or sentimental value. One might receive a precious gift, such as an antique necklace, rare family photographs, or even grandma’s secret recipe books! However, my family, in particular, has been passing down a very unique, and very much alive, family ‘heirloom.’ Our African grey parrot, Big Bird, has lived with multiple members of my family for over 60 years! These past 64 years with Big Bird have been filled with so many hysterical memories that always bring smiles to the faces of those who are willing to listen!
Originating from habitats within the West and Central parts of Africa, African grey parrots are one of the longest living within the parrot family. African greys typically can live between 70-90 years, depending on the care they are given. Besides being a beautiful creature of flight, African greys are known for their intelligence and dynamic personalities.
Their intelligence is reflected in the way they can easily pick up words, and comprehend the different phrases that they learn. African greys can identify objects, colors, shapes. They can understand the concepts of same and different, category, and even count objects. African greys are capable of amassing vocabulary of up to 1000 words or more! Due to their quick comprehension, these birds are very social and can form very strong bonds with their owners. Big Bird certainly connects with every person she meets!
Born April 2nd, 1955, Big Bird started her life with my maternal grandmother, and her eight children. My grandmother has always been an animal lover, but especially a lover of birds! Growing up with Big Bird, my mother, Erin, who is the youngest of my grandmother’s children, can recall some of her fondest memories, “Big Bird has been with me as long as I can remember. She was born into our family—coincidentally born on the same day as my brother, Robert. Ironically, he was probably the closest to Big Bird. He would spend hours with her, and seemed to enjoy his time with Big Bird more than with actual people.”
My mother paused to laugh as she recounted a specific memory, “Those two were as thick as thieves—practically inseparable. He taught her all kinds of phrases and tricks as well. Robert used to always call shower time, “tubby time” and when he would tell Big Bird it was “tubby time,” she would just go crazy and screech in excitement until he took her in there with him. She loved sitting in the steam, perched on the shower curtain rod and just dancing and cooing.”
This is definitely true, Big Bird knows several words and phrases—including each of our names in my immediate family. When she needs something, whether it be a snack or attention, she will call us over like she’s just another member of the family! Any time that we are cooking dinner, she always wants to partake in the taste testing and will scream ‘Mommy!,’ or ‘Big Bird wants a cookie,’ until she is brought some dinner. Some of her favorite snacks include chips, peanut butter, crackers, and even mashed potatoes!
The best part is when she receives her snacks, she whistles and clucks her tongue while bobbing her head as if she is doing a little happy dance. Then if you clap along to motivate her, she will whistle a small tune and dance even more! On top of having Big Bird, we also have multiple dogs and cats. Anytime a cat passes by her cage, depending on her mood, she will either meow or hiss at them. She also has learned how to growl at the dogs if she needs her space. Another neat trick that she can do is if you pretend to chew bubblegum and smack your ‘gum’ loudly, she will mimic the sounds and act as if she is chewing bubble gum!
Like most African greys, Big Bird is a very sociable bird, who loves to be a part of whatever is happening within the household. Sometimes, when Big Bird is not in the best of moods, or she feels she is not getting enough attention, she will sit and grumble in the corner of her cage—as if she is pouting. We quickly reassure her she hasn’t been forgotten and give her a treat to make her feel better!
One of her favorite activities is to sit on my mother’s shoulder as she does chores around the house. She also loves snuggling up with us when we settle down and watch movies at night. Sometimes if we watch horror movies, Big Bird will even scream on cue during jump scares, and it always sends us into a fit of laughter. Especially since she sounds like a middle-aged woman screaming at the top of her lungs! Big Bird is constantly keeping us on our toes.
When I ask my mom about Big Bird’s personality and what it is like to have had her in her life as she has, she says: “Big Bird has always just been there growing up, and now that it’s my turn to take care of her, it’s almost like having another child—she’s honestly just another member of the family.”
Big Bird has gone down the line of family members, living with multiple members of my extended family before living with us. Even though our version of ‘family heirloom’ is a little unorthodox, Big Bird has kept us laughing, and connected with our family for over 60 years, and counting. We truly cherish the time we have had and continue to have with her. I strongly suggest for anyone looking for a new animal, to truly consider having an African grey parrot as your companion!