My Friend “Booper” – A One (+1) Shot Story

Meet my little friend “Booper.” I’ve never had a pet bird. It kills me to see them caged. But I love them (all creatures really). And in the early 1970’s, discovered that some birds may even return the favor.

That old encounter occurred when my first wife and I visited some friends’ new apartment. We had just settled into their living room couch for crackers, cheese and wine, when a brilliant yellow-green streak flashed through the air from the back bedroom toward my face. Before I could even react, it grabbed the hair above my forehead, closed its wings, and stared into my eyes as it bobbed upside-down in front of my nose!

Our friends’ wine glasses froze in mid-air. “He’s never done that,” they whispered. “Doesn’t actually like men.” Their little parakeet was a skilled escape artist, and had slipped his cage to say “Hi.” He and I talked a while– I, with a special “squeaky sound” described in this article— and my new friend was eventually returned to his cage, with the bedroom door closed.

The Bird in the Hardware Store

After moving to Westford, Mass. eight years ago, my first visit to a local hardware store brought yet another surprise. A large two-tiered cage near the checkout counter contained two noisy tropical birds: “Chico” and “Booper.” I hit them with my squeaky sound, and Chico ignored me. But Booper shimmied like a firefighter down one of the cage bars, sidled toward me across a wood trapeeze, and started chirping back. I’d do three squeaks, and he’d reply with three chirps. Or four and four. He was smart.

It became a fond tradition for us, the store’s staff, and other customers (especially ones with children in tow). And after nearly seven years of “conversations,” one day, I thought to say “Hello.” And Booper returned that favor too. One of the store’s long-time managers happened to be passing by, and without breaking stride, mumbled “He really likes you.”

An Unfortunate Death

Then about two years ago, tragedy struck. Booper’s cage buddy died. Loneliness is bad for social birds. Withdrawal set in and he began pulling out his feathers. A checkout clerk asked me to visit more often– even if I didn’t buy anything– and I did. Booper has improved, but he continues to spend most of his days sleeping.

That is, until I hit him with my squeaky sound… and he always responds.

A New Relationship?

But just yesterday, our relationship changed again. I arrived, we talked, but Booper soon stopped chirping and walked away on his trapeze to the back of his cage. As I pondered this development, he turned his head to look back at me, and then faced away again.

I thought he wanted me to go back there. So I rounded the cage. And as soon as I arrived, he bowed his head and pressed it against the bars:

Apparently, he wanted me to pet him! As I did, he swiveled his head back and forth so that I could also reach its sides. He probably would have let me continue as long as I wanted. (Without realizing it, I’d fired off 50 one-handed iPhone photos– just to ensure that at least one was in focus– before finally paying for my purchases and heading home!)

If You’re Ever in the Neighborhood

Birds like Booper are extremely sociable. They can literally go mad without their wild tropical friends. And I don’t know how much longer this dear old fellow will be with us.

So if you ever find yourself in the vicinity of the Ace Hardware on Groton Road in Westford, Mass., stop by. Ask for Booper, and squeak or say “Hello.” He might even return the love!

And while you’re there, visit two noisier birds in a cage nearby. They’ve had their own hard times, but are recovering nicely… and crave human contact too.

–Dave Powell is a Westford, Mass., writer and avid amateur photographer.

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