This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Scottie delights Sunny Hill residents

     JOLIET -- Nineteen-year-old Scottie turns heads. And he has the temperament to match his good looks, posing with residents of Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County, sometimes giving a kiss or letting them stroke him lovingly.

     Or sometimes eye him warily.

    Scottie is known as “The Midwest’s Most Loveable Performing Parrot.” He and his owner /trainer Lou Chatroop appeared at the county-owned facility on May 13 as part of National Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme was Living the Aloha Spirit.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

    The blue and gold Macaw has been performing throughout Chicago and the Midwest since 1999.

    “He is really something special,” said Chatroop. That’s not just his opinion; he had parrot experts from as far away as California tell him that before he started performing. Parrots generally aren’t so friendly.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

     “They have the same (lifespan) as we do. They will live 80 to 85 years.” he told residents at the county-owned facility. “Most of these birds see three owners at a minimum.”

     He is Scottie’s second owner.

     Although quieter during the middle of the day, Scottie can say hello, good-bye, bless you and, when tired, good night.

     He’s 32 inches long with a wingspan to match. His beak and claws grow, and he gets manicures. Before his performance at Sunny Hill, Chatroop filed Scottie’s claws to make it easier for residents to hold him.

     National Nursing Home Week begins on Mother’s Day. Other events included performances by John Boda, the Ukelele Moonshiners and hula dancers. 

     Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County, 421 Doris Ave., is led by Administrator Karen Sorbero and is under County Executive Larry Walsh’s office. For additional information about the facility, go to www.willcountyillinois.com or check it out on Facebook.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?