Meet Durban’s bird man
A Durban resident is seen as a legend as he rides his bike to the beach with his birds perched on his head and shoulders.
BIRD man, Tom van Niekerk, is mad about his pets.
Tom is father to three African Grey parrots and a baby Indian Mynah.
Bubbles, Charlie, Captain Morgan and ‘Baby Mynah’ are his life, and he enjoys taking them for rides to the beachfront on his bike. Tom laughingly admits that many people call him a legend as they spot him riding his bike with his “babies” whistle and chirp as the breeze ruffles their feathers.
“I guess it has the same effect as flying high up in the air with their powerful wings, but the only difference is they’re all tame and they love me to bits!” said Tom.
Tom said his African Greys enjoy having a shower under the water at the beachfront and the little Mynah loves running around, but doesn’t go far from his friends. “Usually a lot of children as well as older people come talk to me and want to see what’s going on, and find it exciting. The Mynah also loves the attention! I love it, a lot of people see me, and seeing the birds makes them smile, which makes my day!” said Tom.
Tom has had the African Grey birds for a long time. He said he found Captain Morgan years ago after people contacted him to collect him.
“People thought he was a pigeon, and asked me to take him, which I did. I rescued Charlie, who was caught in a towel, and had to have his toes amputated. I have had the Mynah for two months. I hand reared it after it fell out of its nest. The birds know me like a book and I love them in return and spoil them. They eat and drink what I do, and I sometimes share an ice cream or a bit of cooldrink with them,” said Tom.
Tom drops the African Greys off at Durban Pet during the day while he is at work in Umbilo, and leaves the Mnah at an office nearby his work.
He said the Mynah and Charlie sleep in the bed with him while the other two sleep in a cage or a bicycle tyre.
“My birds make me who I am. That happiness or bond is worth more than a million rand! They are my family – no woman wants a crazy husband like me!” he said.
