Bonita Bent of South Bend has always loved birds. She loves birds of any kind including chickens. But she especially loves her 19 year old blue and gold macaw, Abby and her 12 year old African gray, Shaka Zulu. If you have ever been to the Yellow River Festival you may have met one or both of them. They visit every year.
They also recently visited residents and guests at Miller’s Assisted Living. Bent and her birds attend powwows, festivals, pioneer days, and man other venues. She uses these opportunities to dress in period costume and talk about her birds. As she talks she has her birds demonstrate their intelligence and sense of humor. Both birds are native to the African rainforest. Bent stressed that taking on these types of birds is not to be taken lightly as caring for them is a lifetime commitment. McCaw’s can live to be over one hundred years old. It’s feasible that these birds will outlive Bent and her husband. It is important to plan ahead so the birds will have someone to care for them n the event that Bent is not able to do so.
The audience was captivated by the birds’ beauty and intelligence. One of the most surprising aspects to them was that the birds are potty-trained. Bent admitted it was actually easier than potty-training her children!. Other interesting facts about Abby and Shaka Zulu are: Abby weighs 4 ½ pounds, her best friends is a red-tailed hawk named Ruby, she reads people really well and she will point to what she wants with her beak; Shaka Zulu weighs 2 ½ pounds, he has adopted a kitten as her own, can imitate many different sounds including shattering glass, wolf whistle, a ringing telephone and microwave and other beeps. There is never a dull moment when Abby and Shaka Zulu are around. Many of the guests and residents wanted to have their picture taken with the birds when the program was over.
Photo:
- Bonita Bent and her very talented birds.
- Frances Byrer poses with Abby the Gold and Blue McCaw.
- Volunteer Kathy Ambrose has known Bonita Bent and her bird Abby for a very long time. Abby never forgets a friend!
