Surprise visits are the best.
I had planned to blog about my very interesting eye cases today but a unique visit has prompted me to postpone the eye case discussion.
We got a phone call this morning from the owner of a SUPER STAR PET asking if she could honour her promise. Although I was still in bed and my husband had a severe case of the flu, we happily welcomed the much unexpected visit. We had a chance encounter with the owner two weeks ago when we sold her one of our bird cages. We discovered she owned ‘Tango‘, the blue-and-yellow Macaw that starred in the movie ‘The Real Macaw’. If you haven’t watched ‘The Real Macaw’, you ought to. Unfortunately the Aussie accent isn’t appropriately portrayed by the movie but you get to see ‘Tango’ absolutely thriving in the lime light.
We were obviously beside ourselves in excitement when she informed us she owned a famous and very talkative Macaw. I mean for god’s sake, ‘Tango’ even has an agent! The agent contacts the owner whenever a prospective role is available for ‘Tango’. Apart from starring in movies, ‘Tango’ has had roles in several commercials for different brands such as Freedom Furniture in Australia and McDonald’s in Hong Kong! We made it very clear that we would love to meet ‘Tango’ one day.
And so ‘Tango’ dropped in for his much-anticipated visit today.
He was happily sitting on his mom’s shoulder when they came out of the car and into our house. His mom showed him around our place so he got a chance to settle into his surroundings. He then sat on the couch while Wally and I stared at him in absolute awe. We offered him heaps of cashew and almond nuts and he ate a couple then made it clear he was full. Check out the video footage and many many pictures we took of him below. We obviously couldn’t get enough of him!
Tango happily prancing around the house.
Tango sitting on the couch and getting a photo shoot & yummy treats.
The colours of his feathers were just so vibrant; he was even bigger than we expected him to be.
He was quite the mama’s boy. He kept squawking at her for reassurance and attention.
Although he is usually a very talkative fellow, he only said ‘Hello’ in front of us. We obviously posed with him. He happily stepped up on our hands and was a very polite parrot. We were advised not to pat him as he doesn’t like strangers doing that. Instead we let him run around the house and enjoy his explorations.
After an hour or so, he grew impatient and kept squawking for his mom and making it clear he would like to go home.
It was just so beautiful to see the very deep bond he had formed with his owner.
He allowed her to lift his wings, pat his tail, and give him head scratches and kisses.
We also found out he turned 21 last week! We hope to see him more regularly and establish a good relationship with him. It would be a great day when he finally lets his guard down and starts chatting away in front of us.
Don’t we feel lucky! I mean what are the odds of meeting a superstar parrot!
Dr Rayya's Online Veterinary Journal 
February 19, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Wow, he really is stunning!
February 20, 2012 at 7:33 pm
He sure is 😀
February 19, 2012 at 10:13 pm
SUPER!! SQUAWK!!
February 20, 2012 at 7:34 pm
😉
February 19, 2012 at 10:37 pm
COOLEST. THING. EVER!!!!!
February 20, 2012 at 7:35 pm
I know ;-). Can’t believe you are in awe inspite of your bird phobia!
February 19, 2012 at 10:49 pm
What beautiful, intense colors he sports. Nice to document the visit by such a super star! Thanks for sharing,
February 20, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Hey Ruth. His colours were really unbelievable. Glad you for to appreciate his beauty. 🙂
February 19, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Wow, what a great bird! Thank you for documenting his visit. Interesting to hear how engaging he is with people and new surroundings. Fun photos too!
February 20, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Het Tricia. I had to share this experience with you all. It wad just so surreal. Thanks for enjoying it. 😀
February 20, 2012 at 12:42 am
Rayya, your hair is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!
February 20, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Thanks Nicole. Can’t believe you noticed my hair with Tango’s flashy colours. 😉
February 20, 2012 at 2:40 am
I use to own a parolette mini parrot only 7 grams he was such a sweetie. Beautiful photos this was a taadaa moment for sure. Thank you for sharing!
February 20, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Hey Melody. What happened to your little parrot? I definitely feel very lucky to have met ‘Tango’. 😀
February 21, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Oh he died years ago from picking his feathers was very sad.
February 22, 2012 at 10:36 pm
That’s terrible. We lost a parrot to feather picking 😦
February 20, 2012 at 3:42 am
I love the way he tosses his head like a real movie star! He’s certainly got the attitude. What beautiful plumage!!
February 20, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Hey Jo. ‘Tango’ is definitely used to being the centre of attention & enjoys the fuss + being pampered. A true super star 😉
February 20, 2012 at 5:11 am
How lucky are you guys!!!!! Im so jealous! Loved the movie!! 🙂 Missing u all…..
February 20, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Hey Umbilicus. We feel so privileged. You ought to be jealous, hehehe.
February 20, 2012 at 7:33 am
Howdy Doc –
I bet that was a surprise. Opportunities like that don’t come come along often. I enjoyed the move and Tango is a nice looking Macaw.
February 20, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Hey Cowboy. We will treasure this experience forever. Macaws are magnificent creatures. 😀
February 20, 2012 at 7:35 am
Beautiful bird and those colors, awesome! Thanks for sharing.
February 20, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Glad you appreciated ‘Tango’s beauty! 🙂
February 20, 2012 at 9:37 am
So sweet! Our zoo used to have a blue and gold macaw as part of our program collection. She was unusual in that she would work for lots of different people. If she liked you. She adored my coworker. Me, not so much. It could take a half hour to even get her out of the cage!
February 20, 2012 at 7:59 pm
Hey Heather. Parrots are definitely very selective & will bond to a very few people. Our parrots definitely preferred my husband. I was amazed by how close ‘Tango’ was to his owner. 😉
February 20, 2012 at 9:52 am
Thats so awesome! If only I stayed for the weekend!
February 20, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Hey Lanny. You totally missed out. I really can’t tell you how,amazing it was to have ‘Tango’ running around our place 😉
February 20, 2012 at 10:28 am
Hi,
Wow, that is spectacular. So very beautiful, and I did see the movie, now I know about the star. 😀
What a great video, and fantastic photos, it is a shame he didn’t say a few more words, but he was magnificent on his own without words.
The chances of meeting a super star parrot, I would have to say never on that one, you were so very lucky. 😀
February 20, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for your wonderful feedback. I totally agree, meeting ‘Tango’ was a one in a lifetime experience. 😛
February 20, 2012 at 10:41 am
You were very lucky to be able to meet Tango in person and enjoy this most beautiful bird; his colours are so vibrant, he is just gorgeous!
A meeting never to be forgotten, so thanks for sharing it with us Rayya, along with the great video and pics.
February 20, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Hey Barb. Thanks for sharing my post on your facebook page. I had to share this amazing experience with you as I knew you’d appreciate it. ‘Tango’ rocks. 😀
February 20, 2012 at 11:21 am
He is just gorgeous.
(Love the photos – they are excellent and really show his feather detail).
February 20, 2012 at 9:31 pm
I sure went camera crazy. I am so happy you enjoyed the pics. 😀
February 21, 2012 at 12:27 am
Very cool, I’m not a ‘bird’ person, but that’s pretty cool.
February 22, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Very sweet comment 🙂
February 21, 2012 at 3:41 am
You’re forgiven from straying from the script! What a stunner – hope you get to know him better and to talk to him.
February 22, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Thanks heaps. I hope so too. 😀
February 21, 2012 at 5:56 am
Glorious photos, thanks so much for sharing! I’ll have to look up that movie. Bravo, Tango!
February 22, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Thanks Amy. You should definitely watch the movie. Tango is a great actor 😉
February 22, 2012 at 4:29 am
It’s beautiful! I think there are very smart animals!
Ah and I also saw a Barça T-shirt! Barça it’s my team!!!!
February 22, 2012 at 7:43 am
Parrots are highly intelligent creatures for sure :-)… My husband is crazy about Barca. He flew there recently just to watch Messi and he even got me a barca t-shirt. When he got back, he was ready to move to barcelona and live there. hehehe
February 23, 2012 at 9:47 am
He’s such a gorgeous parrot! I’ll have to go look up the movie!
February 25, 2012 at 7:40 pm
‘Tango’ sure is a gorgeous fellow and he knows it :-). He has his mom wrapped around his little claw.
February 24, 2012 at 7:34 am
Hello Thank you very mutch very Good
February 25, 2012 at 7:40 pm
You are most welcome 🙂
February 25, 2012 at 10:13 am
I’ve really enjoyed following your blog these past few months and learning about the day-to-day ups and downs of a practicing veterinarian who is also a talented writer! No pressure, but I’m passing on the Kreativ Blogger Award to you. I hope others will find your blog as inspirational and touching as I have! Tricia
http://triciabookerphotography.com/2012/02/24/february-22-2012/
February 25, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Tricia…Thank you so much for your very kind words. I am so glad you have enjoyed my vet tales. I am very touched with the award. Thank you heaps and I hope to keep you captivated with my blog 🙂
March 8, 2012 at 4:46 am
I think we all like to actually see what happens!
Even if I am personally afraid of parrots…and big animals as horses.
March 9, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Hey David. Thanks for reblogging my post. You should definitely watch Tango’s movie. Keep up the great blogging. 🙂
March 8, 2012 at 4:48 am
Reblogged this on historiasveterinarias and commented:
El comportamiento amistoso de un loro, artista de cine en Australia.
Filmado por Rayya para su blog Rayyathevet.com
March 21, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Congratulations! Read here: http://havehest.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/the-liebster-award-no-5-thanks-sooo-much/
Cheers,
Ann
March 23, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Dear Ann
Thank you so much for the lovely award. I am very flattered 🙂
June 3, 2012 at 11:08 am
Wow this is amazing. I can’t belive I’ve stumbled upon this, I actually knew tango when he was in training and shooting the movie, my uncle, Peter Gregg was his trainer. Its fantastic to see he’s still so beautiful and i definetly agree tango is a great movie.
June 3, 2012 at 11:10 am
I mean The Real Macaw haha
June 4, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Hey Josh. Tango sure is gorgeous. Your uncle did great work with him. Now Tango enjoys being spoilt by his new family.
June 15, 2012 at 7:43 am
Hello, Rayya. I just love your blog. And I absolutely could not resist stopping by to say hello to that adorable parrot. So, Cheers from NYParrot to a Parrot from Britain:)>.
June 16, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Hello N.Y. Parrot. Thanks for dropping by blog. You are most welcome here anytime. Warmest regards from down under. 😀
June 26, 2012 at 2:45 pm
way cool, he’s gorgeous!
July 4, 2012 at 11:37 am
Hey Nicole. He sure is 😀