Next time you’re heading into the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland park, look up. At the window above the entrance to the attraction you may see Zoyie, a Goffin’s Cockatoo, watching as you pass beneath. For more than fifteen years, Zoyie has watched not-so-silently as Disneyland park guests make their way through Adventureland.
With a distinctive personality – “spunky, high-spirited,” as she’s described by Circle D Corral Stable Attendant Kirsten Foster – Zoyie is the kind of bird who likes to see and be seen. A true showbird, she loves to dance to music and perform her favorite trick with her favorite snack: a peanut.
“She likes to put the peanut on her back, let it roll off and catch it. Then she puts it on her back and lets it roll off again,” says Kirsten.
Since cockatoos are very intelligent, the team at Circle D Corral always works to keep Zoyie entertained and occupied. While on her perch at the Jungle Cruise and at her home in the corral, she has lots of games and toys to keep her busy. One of her favorite activities involves a box with treats hidden among shredded paper. It’s a rewarding challenge for this smart bird. And she’s got no shortage of playmates – in addition to her fellow bird friend, Poppy, who is “learning the ropes” at Circle D, her handlers make time to play with her every day.
“It’s a pretty fun life for a bird,” says Kirsten.
Zoyie also likes to say her own name. As she’s carried out to the park in the morning, she passes through a short backstage tunnel, where she likes to repeat her name and make lots of noise so she can hear herself echoed throughout the tunnel.
One of her favorite activities, though, is watching guests walk by from her perch above Adventureland. If you see Zoyie next time you’re there, be sure to say hello!
Comments
Oooh. Is the bird’s name pronounced ‘Zoh-yee’ or some other way? I’d like to say hi when next I happen to spy her!
Great question, Lorin! Her name is pronounced “Zo-ee,” like Zoe.
I have not seen that. I’ll have to look for that next time! Very interesting. I love this blog because you learn so much!
Very cool, I didn’t realize that was a live bird was in that area.
Wow! I have been on that ride probably a hundred times as it’s one of my favorites and I love the corny jokes of the boat drivers. I can’t believe I never spoke to Zoyie! I will be there next week and be sure to say, “Hello!”.
How did I not know about this? Jungle Cruise is my favorite ride!
Wow! That’s awesome. I’m guessing she’s not going to be up there the whole day in that cage or is she?
Hi Trisha –
No, Zoyie is not there all day – her home is at the Circle D Corral. She’s at the Jungle Cruise for just part of the day, and only when the weather is right. But in Southern California, the weather is often “just right,” huh? 🙂
this is awesome! just when you think you’re a disneyland know it all smartie pants, you learn something new! i cant wait to share this with everyone! thx:)
I think this is so cool!! I have passed by there to many times to count. Is there a time of day she is there or is it just in the mornings? I am going tomorrow, I will have to go and say hi for myself. You learn and find out some many things about Disney that we didn’t know. Thanks for sharing this.
Erin – Great piece! And to think, all the times I’ve rode the Jungle Cruise, I never once knew there was a bird there! Since Zoyie can talk—or is at least able to say her own name—is she available for an interview for our blog? We promise to ask her questions that can only be answered with “Zoyie”! LOL.
Cage is to small for that bird… 🙁
Ooooh, it’s a REAL bird??
Haha, I’m so used to Tiki-Room birds that it took a second.
I’ll be sure to say hi to her soon!
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