Feathered Friends give orphans confidence to debut at the Sydney Royal Easter Show
Bee the nankeen kestrel fell out of a tree. She has spent the last few months learning to fly with Alex Saleeby. It’s like a scene out of War Horse — he whistles and she just appears.
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Visitors to the Sydney Royal Easter Show will be in for a real treat this year.
Liverpool’s Feathered Friends are offering three shows a day, giving people a glimpse into the life of a bird handler.
Some of the birds’ stories are true tales of despair, but after being rescued and cared for, they have created strong bonds with their handlers.
The birds will soar freely around the amphitheatre as the crowd watches on.
Bee the nankeen kestrel will make her debut.
The orphan fell out of a tree.
Birdman Ravi Wasan said Bee’s mother didn’t do a good job looking after her and as a result, she couldn’t fly.
“Bee joined the sanctuary a few months ago and Alex Salleby has raised the bird all the way through,” he said.
“It’s like a scene out of War Horse — he makes a whistle and the bird just appears.
“Bee is naturally a sly and secretive bird of prey, but she’s built a lot of confidence in just a short few months.”
Bee got her name because she buzzes and hovers around like a bee.
Another bird, Cricket the boobook owl is one of three birds that is being raised at the sanctuary. Mr Wasan said Cricket had spent the last few months learning how to fly.
“They’re at such a great age because they’re building a relationship with their handler.”
There are two pelicans that washed up after a recent storm.
“They have been seeking refuge at the bird sanctuary. We’ll be sharing their story.”
Mr Wasan said the phenomenal feedback from last year’s one show a day at the Easter show allowed them to expand in 2016.
This year they’ll be offering three shows a day — with one in the 25,000 seat Spotless Stadium.
“Even though it’s a big stage, it’s very intimate. It’s not like any other bird show.
“People want to see the birds we live with and the relationships we have with the birds, so that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver.
You’ll meet some of Australia’s most beautiful bird species, including the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo and an owl which you can hold and fly.
Watch as tropical parrots screech above your head.
Keep an eye out for the oldest and most intelligent cockatoo in the team.
He will demonstrate how he can pick fruit from trees, put rubbish in the bin and take money from wallets.
Mr Wasan said it was important to share with the audience that the birds’ lives weren’t just all about being on show.
“It’s not about prancing ponies,” he said.
“This is about real life stories.”
“There are birds that have been rescued because their mum wasn’t doing a good job of caring for them.
“And I get to run out there with two of the macaws.
“We get to teach the audience a little about the birds and show them what we can do with them.”
Feathered Friends has partnered with the Ara Project in Costa Rica.
Their goal is to raise funding to help release some of the most exotic birds in the world from extinction in the wild — the scarlet macaw and great green macaw.
“Without global help, they will become extinct in the wild,” Mr Wasan said.
Details: featheredfriends.com.au.
FLYING HIGH
■ Ravi Wasan and the team from Liverpool’s Feathered Friends will be at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year
■ Shows will be held daily in the amphitheatre at 1.30pm and 4pm, except March 17 and 20
■ Spotless Stadium shows will be held daily from March 17 to March 30 at 12.05pm, except Tuesday, March 22
■ All the birds are trained using positive techniques that strengthen the bond to return to the trainers
■ Feathered Friends is a specialised institution licensed by the Department of Primary Industries to educate, train and provide behavioural information about wildlife and domestic animals
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