Dubai: Ever seen a macaw play basketball or hoist a flag in the UAE? Or other winged beauties dance Gangnam Style, speak different languages, do maths, solve puzzles, even steal your money?
A new exotic bird show in town, the first of its kind in the UAE, offers all this and more. Introduced by the Dubai Dolphinarium at the Creek Park recently, the show has around 20 exotic birds that can wow audiences with a wide range of acquired skills and stunts.
“The exotic birds are rare and we are hosting three daily shows - four over the weekends - to showcase their talent. The birds include green winged macaws, eclectus parrots, sulphur crested cockatoos, sun conures, African grey parrots, red billed hornbills, even a baby owl,” said Samantha Watson, Sales and Marketing Manager of the dolphinarium.
The shows, held at a purpose-built arena that seats 350 visitors, are packed with around two dozen displays, even as DJ Cast and MC Bob do the honours.
Traill Stocker, animal behaviourist who has been training the birds, said they arrived from Malaysia last November. “Some of them were trained already, but we are teaching the others a range of activities through positive reinforcement and operant conditioning.” What this means is that the birds get to learn through trial and error, with the trainers shaping their behaviour after letting them do what they want.
“Birds can fly and you can’t have control over them. The working environment is varied, so we have to have a strong relationship with them,” said Stocker.
The biggest draw among visitors is the ability of Ali Baba, one of the birds, to steal their money. The bird which flies from the dais reaches a volunteer and picks up a note in one quick swoop. The note is duly returned in the next swoop.
Besides the birds’ skills on display, visitors can also learn about their habitats, social structures, training regimes, diets and conservation. Stocker said trainers spend eight hours with them, catering to their food and other requirements. They are fed pellets, fruit, vegetables and sunflower seeds.
Each show runs for 25 minutes and costs Dh50 per adult and Dh30 per child.
