Bird is the word: Cookie the Cockatoo turns 78 at Brookfield Zoo, birthday celebration on June 25

Cookie the Cockatoo's 78th birthday is celebrated on June 25, 2011 at Brookfield Zoo. The average life-span is between 40 and 60 years for cockatoos kept in captivity

Brookfield, Ill. — Bird lovers of all ages can flock to Brookfield Zoo and join in the 78th birthday celebration for the zoo’s oldest resident — Cookie, a Major Mitchell’s cockatoo — on Saturday, June 25.        

The festivities get underway at 10:30 a.m. outside the zoo’s Perching Bird House. There, guests can join zoo staff in singing a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” to the birthday bird. For a treat, Cookie will receive a muffin-size birthday cake made of his favorite foods. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to send birthday wishes and greetings to Cookie by signing an enormous birthday card.

Zookeepers will also be available to answer questions about the birthday bird, and guests can hear straight from the keepers how Cookie is enjoying his time off exhibit.

Cookie is the only animal at Brookfield Zoo that is from the original collection, dating back to the zoo’s opening in 1934. He has been permanently off exhibit since September 2009 but will be making his annual appearance for his fans on his big day.

Because of his advanced age and several medical maladies, including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, Cookie has been enjoying himself off exhibit with his keepers, who give him a lot of attention and provide him with a variety of enrichment items to occupy his time and stimulate his mind. Additionally, on warmer days, keepers are able to bring him outdoors for play sessions.

Since Cookie arrived at the zoo in 1934, millions of guests have seen him. The charismatic pink cockatoo has become one of the zoo’s most famous animals. He even has acquired quite a loyal fan base affectionately called “Cookie’s groupies,” who come specifically to see him. In addition, Cookie regularly receives fan mail and toys from his many admirers.

Cookie is well beyond the average life span for his species. He arrived at Brookfield Zoo at the age of 1 from Taronga Zoo in Australia. It is believed that he is the world’s oldest living Major Mitchell’s cockatoo in a zoo setting. The next oldest bird of this species in a facility is a 32-year-old female at Paradise Wildlife Sanctuary in England. Currently, there are 124 Major Mitchell’s cockatoos in zoos or other facilities worldwide. Only 13 North American zoos, including Brookfield Zoo, have this species in their animal collections. According to a reference in the Encyclopedia of Life, the median life span for this species in a zoo setting is between 40 and 60 years.

For more information on Brookfield Zoo, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org.