Red Cross Animal Lifesaver Award

Willie, a Quaker parrot, is the first bird to win the American Red Cross Animal Lifesaver Award. Willie alerted his owner to a choking toddler by squawking, “Momma, baby. Momma, baby.” when 2 year old Hannah was choking on a Pop Tart. The owner, Megan Howard, performed the Heimlich just in time as Hannah’s lips and face were turning blue. Megan knew there was an emergency as Willie is normally a quiet bird. Megan notes that Willie started to screaming and flapping his wings. There was panic in his voice like she had never heard before from Willie. Megan is Hannah’s babysitter not mother. Needless to say, Hannah’s mother is grateful to both Willie and Megan.

Red Cross spokesman, Jim Rettew, stated, "Obviously, Willie played a very important role in saving a little girl's life. This was not just a bird chirping for his food. He saw that there was an emergency and used exemplary behavior to notify the babysitter that the child was choking."

Usually dogs are recognized by the American Red Cross with the Animal Lifesaver Award. The Denver chapter of the American Red Cross had nominated Willie for the award.