Charlie (parrot) facts for kids

Charlie, also known as Charlie the Curser, is a female blue-and-yellow macaw parrot. She lives at a garden centre in Reigate, Surrey, England.

Charlie's Famous Story

Charlie is well-known because of a special story about her past. Her owner claimed that Charlie once belonged to Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II.

The Owner's Claim

The owner said his father-in-law sold Charlie to Churchill in 1937. He also claimed that after Churchill passed away in 1965, the bird was returned to his father-in-law. According to these stories, Churchill supposedly taught Charlie to shout rude words. These words were aimed at Adolf Hitler, who was the leader of Germany during the war.

Doubts About the Story

However, the people who manage Chartwell, Churchill's former home, do not believe this story. They have said that Churchill did keep a grey parrot, but it was not at Chartwell. Also, Churchill's daughter, Lady Soames, stated that her father never owned a macaw. She confirmed he had a grey parrot named Polly. But Polly was sold before Churchill became Prime Minister.

Charlie Today

Charlie has been living at Heathfield Nurseries for a long time. Sylvia Martin, the manager there, often takes care of her. Sylvia says that Charlie has become a bit "grumpy" as she has gotten older. However, she is still a very "bright bird."

See also

In Spanish: Charlie (loro) para niños

• List of individual birds