Oscar the Cockatoo

I caught this last week on Animal Planet. Oscar (a girl) came to the Broward County Humane Shelter 12 years ago with the disease Beak and Feather and they expected her to live on 6 months. The disease makes her feathers uncomfortable and she plucks them all out except those on her head that she can't reach:

When she was rescued by the wildlife center, the veterinarians realized she could not be around other birds. They called the Broward County Humane Society shelter in Florida who took her in and has become their unofficial mascot.

“She’s a very beautiful bird if you get past her appearance.” says a handler. “Her personality just shines through.”

You have to admit, Oscar the naked cockatoo is quite unique, and once you get to know her, it’s guaranteed she will leave a lasting impression.

“She’s our little mascot.” said the handler. But she’s also their entertainer, and loves the attention she receives. Oscar is one rockin mama, as she performs a pretty mean Mick Jagger impersonation.

The feather-less underdog who’s beaten insurmountable odds has become be the star attraction of the Broward County Humane Society and always draws a crowd.

While Oscar may not be a beauty queen, what she lacks physically, she makes up for in heart and personality and her quirky sense of humor.

But it’s her voice and precious charm that sticks with you as she shows off her signing talent. It’s these sounds from a featherless bird that makes all those who meet her smile, as she enchants visitors, customers, and staff alike.

In addition to a healthy diet of bird food, Oscar also gets to eat anything she wants. Her favorite snacks include McDonald’s hash browns, egg rolls, cottage cheese with fruit mixed in, blueberry pancakes, and lollipops.

“Everybody shares her lunch with her.” says Cherie Wachter, director of marketing at the Broward County Humane Society.

Eventually, the disease will effect Oscar's beak, but until that time she's the star of the Shelter.