We know that birds have brains, and feelings, too. But some of them also have their own social media accounts! Here’s some of our favorite—funny, insightful, educational, and heartwarming—wild bird personalities on social media.
Bald Eagle Couple, Jackie and Shadow
Of course we must start off with our local celebrities, Bald Eagle couple Jackie and Shadow. The Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel is a live stream of their eagle nest, where we get to watch them preen, tidy their nest, squabble, lay and incubate eggs, care for young eaglets, and everything in between. Right now, we’re in the middle of nesting season for this lively pair, who live year round in Big Bear Valley. Their nest is located almost 150 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree. Every year around their nesting season, the San Bernardino National Forest service closes the surrounding area so that human activity won’t disturb the birds or their young. Thankfully you can still keep up with them on the live eagle cam—talk about reality TV you can watch, guilt-free!
Kyle the Rooster
This unwitting bird celebrity found his human family by jumping in their car! Kyle the Rooster is a Red Junglefowl living his best life with his human parents in Florida*, and his chicken girlfriend, Miss Pumpkin, and her little chicks. Watch videos of the pair having little adventures, like exploring the house together, getting curious about the couple’s black cat Mister Beans, and going through some paperwork. Follow @rooster_kyle_and_friends for more.
Yaffle the Owl
Brimming with personality, Yaffle is a burrowing owl who lives with his “hooman” dad and “brother” of sorts: a Tawny Owl named Henry. Captive-bred Yaffle and Henry live in a home-turned-bird sanctuary in the UK*. He enjoys rescuing spiders, dancing, and enjoying some afternoon snacks. Watch Yaffle enjoy cuddles (and demand more!) on their Instagram, at @yaffletheowl.
Carl the Crane
Carl, a Sandhill Crane, visits his friend Autumn every day in Florida. In fact, she gets a Ring notification at her door daily. Like clockwork, it’s Carl. In fact, Carl—a fitness aficionado in his own right—doesn’t skip a yoga session with Autumn. On any given day, you can see them striking poses outside (though Carl is, ironically, not a fan of the Crane pose). In the hot summer heat, you’ll also find Carl relaxing in a kiddy pool, and playing in the front yard with his crane friends. Check Carl out on TikTok or Instagram at @healthyish.autumn.
Donut the Pigeon
Rescued in 2022*, Donut the Pigeon now leads a charmed life. He now snuggles in his cozy dog bed, enjoys the fresh air from his outside perch, and takes relaxing baths in his very own fountain. Recently, Donut has been bonding with his newly rescued sister, Soufflé! More of Donut’s hobbies include preening, playing with his toy llama, and pulling his human mama’s socks off her feet. More than just sharing Donut’s fun antics, this Instagram channel is used to debunk common and harmful myths about pigeons, and to provide helpful resources on how to care for pigeons correctly. Browse their Instagram account @donutthepigeon.
Loki the Raven
A famous raven from across the pond*, Loki the Raven is a captive-bred rescue that lives with his bird dad, Elliot. The two have bonded closely, and it’s not uncommon to see the corvid seek out cuddles from his adopted father. Watch Loki eat his favorite fruit snacks, play with toys in his indoor/outdoor aviary, and make meaningful conversation with Elliot. Follow their story, and enjoy watching their bond, on TikTok at @lokitheraven or by the same handle on Instagram.
Gracie the Blue Jay
When Dina was diagnosed with cancer, it was around that time that she met Gracie. Gracie is a Blue Jay that visits Dina daily, offering a bright ray of hope each time she comes. You’ll find Gracie in Dina’s kitchen, picking through acorns, splashing in the birdbath, and perching on Dina’s arm for a friendly hello. Gracie found Dina at the hardest time in her life, making Dina refer to her as her guardian angel. She even credits Gracie for helping her beat cancer! A small but mighty story, Dina’s visits with Gracie have inspired news articles from People Pets and The Daily Mail. Follow their story on Instagram at @gracie_the_bluejay.
Ready for Some Fall Fun?
- Keep birds safe this spooky season! Learn How to Have a Bird-Friendly Halloween.
- Did you know that ravens can copy your voice? That’s just one of 13 Surprising and Spooky Raven Facts.
- Gather your family and friends for some fun turkey trivia! Test your knowledge on these bearded birds.
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*IMPORTANT NOTES: While it is illegal to keep wild birds as pets in the US, not all types of birds fall under this law, and state and local laws must also be considered. In addition, some of the birds mentioned in this post were rescued, and reside, in the UK, which has different wildlife laws. (For a brief overview of some of the US laws affecting wild birds, please read our blog post, What to Know About Wild Birds and the Law.)
Within the discussion of this blog post, there are some important notes to consider: a) under certain circumstances, it is legal to keep a rescued wild bird in the UK, b) it is legal to keep a Red Junglefowl as a pet in the state of Florida (following state laws) if you have a permit, and c) it is legal to keep a pigeon as a pet in the US. (They are not included on the list of birds protected under the Migratory Treaty Act.)
