Quick five questions with Yvonne Patterson

1 You belong to the Pet Bird Club. What is the purpose of this organization, and who are its members?

The Pet Bird Club is a not-for-profit educational organization whose purpose is to provide avian education to the general public in the proper nutrition, care, housing and socialization of pet birds; to provide funds for bird rescue and care; and to prevent cruelty to birds in captivity. Its members include individuals and families who have a pet bird(s) in their home. Speakers are very knowledgeable and respected in the avian world come to educate us the first Sunday of each month at Petco near Noland Road on 40 Highway in Independence, Mo.

2 Tell us about the club’s annual fundraiser.

The club hosts an annual fundraiser the last Saturday of July each year (this Saturday July 26) at the beautiful Sermon Center in Independence. The bird fair begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

3 Why should the public attend this benefit?

It is a wonderful opportunity for families to see some varieties of tropical birds that exist in captivity ranging in size from finches to parrots, up to a bird of prey. Seeing and touching baby parrots and holding pet parrots and petting them, is a great experience for children. The $4 admission includes a raffle ticket for bird-lovers and other family items. 

4 We understand participants can have their photo taken with your club’s mascot, Swoop, an eagle-owl. Tell us about how the photo opportunity works, and about Swoop.

Swoop, the Eurasian eagle-owl, is one of the largest owls in the world who just turned a year old. He has a 5-foot wingspan and bright red-orange eyes – the females have a 6-foot wingspan and capture small deer and goats as prey in the wild. Swoop is the club’s mascot and an integral part of the Wings of Love, Inc’s educational/interactive bird shows, another not-for-profit operated by me which was begun in Independence in 1969. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Enphinitee Photography will shoot a 4x6 or 8x10 inch photograph of an individual or an entire family with Swoop the eagle-owl.

5 Is there any other information we should know about the club, Swoop, or birds, in general?

The Pet Bird Club was begun in 1998 and has always been the club for people who enjoy having pet birds that talk and do tricks. The club does have a couple of families who breed and show birds for ribbons, but it is the only true pet bird club in the metro area.