Ken Globus - "The Bird Whisperer"  Seeing Is Believing

By: Rena Fox

I admit I was skeptical. I had recently volunteered to co-chair a special event committee for a local bird club that I belong to.  I searched the web and other clubs' events and found someone calling himself a "Bird Whisperer".  My first thought was "ya sure", but that inner voice was telling me that Ken Globus was who to have at our event.  How could anyone resist coming to see a man that could tame birds in a matter of minutes? Many of us have a bird or two that we have serious issues with, and this was a subject many would have in common.  I know that there are birds in shelters that few people, if any, interact with, could this perhaps help them? Still I continued to worry that none would show up and if this "Bird Whisperer" guy was really for real. 

My fears and worries were ungrounded. The free demonstration was packed and the workshops were booked.  There was a minor miracle or two at the Manchester, NH Holiday Inn-Center of New Hampshire on Sunday, April 13, 2003.  One woman had a bird she had not been able to touch for more than 2 years, an Australian Crimson Wing.  That bird left the workshop that day on her hand.  She had tears of joy in her eyes, I think we all had tears in our eyes. I witnessed several birds become more handleable that day: a Blue and Gold Macaw, a Cockatiel, 2 Budgies, a Goffins cockatoo, an African Grey, several Amazons, and the Crimson Wing. Feedback from those attending was overwhelmingly positive. 

Ken's approach is a bit unorthodox, but not magic or inhumane.  He does not intimidate the birds with banging, hitting, loud noise, throwing them on the floor, yelling at them, or hurting them. It is Ken that gets hurt; anyone in attendance that day will attest to the amount of blood he shed. Ken LETS the bird bite him, showing the bird that this is not going to scare him away and that he is not going to hurt the bird.  His method is basically one of confronting the bird with its fears, along with some tried and true handling techniques; once the bird realizes their fears are groundless they quickly become friendlier and easier to handle.  Some birds were more difficult than others and the results were not all as dramatic, but all the birds in attendance that day made progress.  Ken approaches each bird with a sense of calm, understanding and love.  The birds that he works with are all better for having met him, as are the people who own them. He brings many years of experience with him and an understanding of the animals we all so dearly love. I hope I get the chance to meet him again and I am hoping the club will allow me to have him back.

Copyright 2003 CNC Aviary