Bird expert captures cockatoo stuck in supermarket for weeks
October 24, 2024 7:19 AM Subscribe
"She helped me lure him": How bird expert captured cockatoo stuck in supermarket for weeks.
A cockatoo named Mickey became trapped inside Macarthur Square Shopping Centre at Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west last month. He "took up residence" at the Coles supermarket before he was captured by a local bird expert.
I read 'lured into a trap' and thought it would be some sort of elaborate set up made of one-way doors, then saw that the trap was 'person stands nearby vibrating with tension and rushes to slam cage door when bird foolishly enters'. That's so charming! What love that person brought to the job! You can see their entire body relax in the biggest sigh when they stand.
posted by DSime at 8:27 AM on October 24 [2 favorites]
posted by DSime at 8:27 AM on October 24 [2 favorites]
Old Lady Doris for the win!
posted by Peach at 8:34 AM on October 24 [3 favorites]
posted by Peach at 8:34 AM on October 24 [3 favorites]
The trap was that Old Lady Doris the cockatoo, who Ravi Wasan had let hang out with Mickey for a while and make friends, was now on the other side of the cage, so Mickey came to investigate. Then the sprint and slide to close. They just needed someone who understood cockatoo psychology apparently.
Mickey has been released!
posted by tavella at 8:58 AM on October 24 [4 favorites]
Mickey has been released!
posted by tavella at 8:58 AM on October 24 [4 favorites]
Yay, release! (This is Australia somewhere? could not find.)
posted by Glinn at 9:01 AM on October 24
posted by Glinn at 9:01 AM on October 24
A general note for chariot pulled by cassowaries - I am loving this influx of Australia-specific posts you've been making recently.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:26 AM on October 24 [6 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:26 AM on October 24 [6 favorites]
Next year: small family of cockatoos. Brioche season! New migratory pattern!
Eventually, a much loved parade involving fancy human hats, like the ducks have at that hotel.
posted by clew at 9:28 AM on October 24 [2 favorites]
Eventually, a much loved parade involving fancy human hats, like the ducks have at that hotel.
posted by clew at 9:28 AM on October 24 [2 favorites]
Great story. I read it with my Senegal parrot, Turtle Bird.
I cringed when a bite was mentioned. Most folks don’t know how strong beaks can be. Psittacine bites combine all the fun of puncture and crush injury and are exquisitely painful. My hat’s off to the clever rescuer. Mickey was very fortunate.
posted by kinnakeet at 1:03 PM on October 24 [1 favorite]
I cringed when a bite was mentioned. Most folks don’t know how strong beaks can be. Psittacine bites combine all the fun of puncture and crush injury and are exquisitely painful. My hat’s off to the clever rescuer. Mickey was very fortunate.
posted by kinnakeet at 1:03 PM on October 24 [1 favorite]
Yes, seconding what EmpressCallipygos stated. Thank you very much! These are lovely posts and I am delighted to be informed of new-to-me species.
I can also back up kinnakeet’s statement. A family member once owned an African grey parrot and a citron crested cockatoo. The parrot liked me enough to allow me to hand feed it, let me touch it, climb on me, and sit on my shoulder, which was sweet, but I was always conscious of what that beak could do to me…
posted by kyraU2 at 2:12 PM on October 24 [1 favorite]
I can also back up kinnakeet’s statement. A family member once owned an African grey parrot and a citron crested cockatoo. The parrot liked me enough to allow me to hand feed it, let me touch it, climb on me, and sit on my shoulder, which was sweet, but I was always conscious of what that beak could do to me…
posted by kyraU2 at 2:12 PM on October 24 [1 favorite]
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Also, I think claiming the cockatoo was named Micky is a little presumptuous. Did they ask? I thought not.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:18 AM on October 24 [8 favorites]