Willie the Parrot

Willie the Parrot is a South American Quaker parrot who belongs to Meagan Howard, a babysitter in Denver, Colorado. In November of 2008, the parrot alerted Howard to the fact that her charge was choking.UPI: Parrot credited with choking tot rescue (November 10, 2008)

The parrot was given the Denver Red Cross chapter's Animal Lifesaver Award.Los Angeles Times: WebClawer: Hero parrot wins award... (March 24, 2009)

In November 2008, Meagan Howard was in her own home babysitting Hannah Kuusk, a two-year-old girl, when she stepped away to use the bathroom. Willie the Parrot flapped its wings loudly and then began to scream "mama, baby" over and over again.

When Howard came out of the bathroom she discovered the little girl was choking to death. She performed the Heimlich maneuver on the little girl and she recovered. In March, the Denver Red Cross awarded the parrot the Animal Lifesaver Award.UPI: Parrot credited with choking tot rescue (November 10, 2008) Los Angeles Times: WebClawer: Hero parrot wins award, Belfast Zoo searches for elephant savior, U.K. pig may be the real-life 'Babe' (March 24, 2009)

Quaker Parrots are gregarious, intelligent birds who live in communal nests in the wild with up to 20 compartments. Curious and fun-loving, Quaker parrots are native to South America and have a lifespan of up to 20 years.Pet Education: Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus) Species Profile: The Monk Parrot