This Job's for the Birds-- Part 4: Eatin' and 'Scapin'

The official title of Ravenmaster is only fifty years old, though the role is far older, and Barney Chandler is the sixth holder of the post.    He is charge of the health and welfare of the ravens, who usually roam freely by day and sleep in cages at night.

Duties include maintaining the birds' enclosures, arranging veterinary checkups and keeping them fed on their preferred diet of raw meat supplemented by the occasional treat of a hard-boiled egg or a hardtack soaked in blood.

"They're carrion birds," said Chandler.  "They'll eat almost anything."

The birds' feathers are trimmed to keep them from flying away, although they occasionally escape.  According to Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that oversees the tower, a bird named Grog flew off in 1981 and was last seen outside an East End pub.

Chandler, who served in Afghanistan and around the world during 24 years in the Royal Marines, has been on bird handling courses and had other formal training for his role.

--DaCootFlyingAway

This Job's for the Birds-- Part 2: The Beefeaters

Michael "Barney" Chandler took over the post of Ravenmaster on March 1, 2024.  As such, he leads a group called Yeoman Warders, which goes back to the 15th century.  You may know them better as Beefeaters who dress in the very distinctive black and scarlet Tudor-style uniforms.  If you've ever seen a bottle of Beefeaters Gin, that's them.

They perform a hybrid role at the Tower of London.  They not only provide security, but also lead tours of the tower and perform ceremonial duties.

He leads a group of 4 former military men looking after the tower's seven ravens-- the six decreed by Charles II and a spare.  In case you're wondering, their names are Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, Branwen and the latest addition, Rex, who was named in honor of King Charles III last year when he had his coronation.

--Cooter

This Job's for the Birds: Tower of London's New Ravenmaster

From the March 5, 2024, Chicago Tribune "A job that's really for the birds" by Jill Lawless, AP.

If an ancient prophesy is correct, then Michael "Barney" Chandler has the most important job in England.  The 56-year-old former Royal Marine is the new ravenmaster at the Tower of London.  It is his new job to be responsible for looking after the feathered protectors of the 1,000-year-old fortress.

According to legend, if the ravens leave the 11th century fortress beside the River Thames, its White Tower will crumble and the Kingdom of England will fall.

In the 17th century, King Charles II was told of the prophesy and decreed that there must always be six ravens at the tower.

--DaCoot

The "Birds" Get After DeKalb

From the October 18, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"The passing of great flocks of birds over the city every evening this week has been watched with interest by many DeKalb people.  The birds settle over the city during the day and at sundown fly to Huntley Park for the night.

"Neighbors in the vicinity say that the birds can be heard for blocks and that the park is full of them."

DeKalb County is going to the birds.

Keep An Eye to the Sky.  Prepare to Duck and Watch Where You Step.  --Cooter

Sparrows Take Over the County Courthouse in 1917

From the November 29, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"It appears DeKalb has its blackbirds to contend with and Sycamore has its sparrows, but in Sycamore's case, the birds select the small tree at the entrance to the courthouse property at State and Maple streets.

"Yesterday morning it is estimated there were more than 2,000 birds in the tree, and rather than having a wintery look as is the case most of the day, it looked fully leafed.  Efforts have been made to exterminate the birds but with little success."

Da Birds in Sycamore.  --Cootfeather

Cookie Outlasts All of Zoo's Originals

From the June 25, 2011, Chicago Tribune by Victoria Pierce.

All the rest have died, but Cookie, believed to be the world's oldest Major Mitchell cockatoo living in a zoo, turned 78 last year, and apparently is still alive this year.  All the rest would be Brookfield Zoo's original animals from when it opened in 1934.

He arrived at the zoo back then in a huge shipment of animals from Australia with 200 mammals and 900 other birds.  Cookie has outlasted the normal life expectancy of his breed, 40-60 years in a zoo.He was just 1-year-old when he arrived. from the Taronga Zoo in Australia.

He has some of the typical ailments for his age including osteoarthritis and osteoporasis and has been removed from display ever since 2009, but still entertains the staff from his home in the trainer's office.  He has a birthday celebration June 25th with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" and a muffin-size birthday cake made of his favorite foods.

So, Happy 79th, Cookie. --Cooter