Many Presidents and First Ladies have had pet birds in the White House. However, most of the birds aren’t the kind we would find while birding in the United States. Canaries and various types of parrots (each residents of the White House 6 different times) as well as parakeets, have been popular bird pets. A few native birds have made it to the White House. President James Buchanan was gifted 2 bald eagles. The eagles, not suited for living at the White House, lived at Buchanan’s home in Pennsylvania, where they were able to come and go. President Theodore Roosevelt, who by far had more pets of all kinds than any other President, is said to have had a barn owl living at the White House. President Calvin Coolidge had a thrush, named Old Bill.
President James Buchanan was gifted 2 bald eagles! Photo by Lito Coca from the Chicago Bird Alliance Facebook Page.
Most have probably heard the story of the turkey presented to President Abraham Lincoln as a gift for Christmas (dinner). Lincoln’s son Tad took to the turkey, named it Jack, and protested the idea of it being a main course, and therefore Jack was the first turkey pardoned by a President.
Wild Turkey. Photo by Phil Smith from the Chicago Bird Alliance Facebook Page.
Mockingbirds were members of the households of four different Presidents, including Grover Cleveland, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Calvin Coolidge. The most famous mockingbird-loving President was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson is said to have had at least 4 over the years, one of which traveled with him to France when he was Ambassador. Two birds had received “singing lessons” before Jefferson bought them, and sang American, Scottish and French tunes. “Dick” was apparently his favorite; whenever Jefferson was alone he “opened the cage and let the bird fly about the room. After flitting for a while from one object to another, it would alight on his table and regale him with its sweetest notes, or perch on his shoulder and take its food from his lips. Often when he retired to his chamber it would hop up the stairs after him and while he took his siesta, would sit on his couch and pour forth its melodious strains." Dick would also accompany the violin when Jefferson played. Writing a friend who also had a mockingbird, Jefferson wrote: “I sincerely congratulate you on the arrival of the Mocking bird. Learn all the children to venerate it as a superior being in the form of a bird, or as a being which will haunt them if any harm is done to itself or its eggs.” Wise words to consider for all birds.
Northern Mockingbirds. Photos by Jeanette Murphy from the Chicago Bird Alliance Facebook Page.