In 1879, Washington's Birthday became a legal holiday. A quick internet search uncovered some interesting facts about birds and U.S. presidents. Lyndon B. Johnson was the last president to have birds in the White House, including lovebirds. Kennedy had parakeets, Coolidge had a wide range of animals at the White House, such as a goose and a mockingbird. Harding had canaries, and Wilson kept chickens. Roosevelt's diverse collection of animals included a macaw and an owl. Throughout history, presidents have enjoyed a variety of pet birds, from turkeys to mockingbirds, canaries, and even an eagle. This tradition of companionship began with Washington and his pet parrot, Polly.
While we are best known for educating with hawks and owls, you might also encounter Sweet Pea, the Senegal Parrot, at one of our presentations. Sweet Pea is 25 years old and was hatched and raised here in Houston. Senegal Parrots are native to West Africa, where they nest in cavities and enjoy eating a variety of seeds, fruits, and flowers. The scientific community first noted them thanks to a French zoologist in 1760. Due to the CITES laws passed in the '80s, the trade, import, and export of all wild-caught parrots are illegal.
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