Bloomington’s cherished bike-riding parrot, Charlie Bird, died Wednesday at 41 years old.
The green-winged macaw was a beloved local figure for the better part of two decades.
His handler, JoJo Porowski, announced the news Friday on Charlie's Facebook page.
"We are all very sad about the death of Charlie, but are reminiscent of all the amazing experiences we had as part of Charlie Bird's entourage," Porowski wrote in an email to WFIU/WTIU news. "I met a lot of great people around town I would not know without Charlie."
Porowski adopted Charlie in 2004 after his previous owner died. Since then, he’s become a Bloomington staple.
Charlie and Porowski were often seen together at the Farmer’s Market, Lotus Festival, Morgenstern’s Dunn Meadow, Indiana University football tailgating, and local parks.
Charlie enjoyed paddleboarding biking, kayaking, and hiking with Porowski.
"I think the reason Charlie Bird was so special is the way he conducted himself around so many groups and people, young and old," Porowski wrote. "Charlie seemed to love the attention and being out on the bike with me."
The pair are the subject of a recent children’s picture book, “Charlie Bird Loves Bloomington,” highlighting their favorite activities around Bloomington.
Charlie almost died in 2018 due to an avian virus but received life-saving support. He required long-term medical care in the years following.
Porowski said he is glad he was able to spend one last weekend in Bloomington with Charlie.
"We went to WFIU's jazz music in Dunn Meadow, the Farmers Market downtown, celebrated Lotus Festival, and had a final day at the lake together," he wrote. "Charlie had complete trust in me as his handler. I gave unconditional love to Charlie and he in return gave his unconditional love to everyone else."
Porowski says he is collecting photos and stories of Charlie to commemorate his life. They can be sent to charliebirdphotos@gmail.com.
