Airports are stressful enough without a surprise passenger who refuses to go through security. At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, travelers in one check-in line recently found themselves dealing with exactly that: a small green bird with a big attitude.

Videos of the encounter have been making the rounds online, and the story was reported on October 20 by UPI, citing an interview the airport worker who filmed it gave to CBS Chicago.

What happened

According to UPI, the bird flew into Terminal 5 at O’Hare through an open door on October 13. It may have been a parrot, though that has not been confirmed.

Videos captured near the Air France check-in line show the green bird landing on travelers’ heads and luggage. It was not exactly a friendly visit. The bird became aggressive and pecked at anyone who tried to touch it or catch it.

‘The bird chose fight, not flight’

The video was captured by O’Hare worker Paris Elbert, who described the scene to CBS Chicago.

“A lot of people wanted to get the bird, but every time they tried to either grab the bird or be nice to the bird, the bird chose fight, not flight,” Elbert said, as quoted by UPI.

That line alone is probably why the clip took off. It is hard to resist the image of a tiny bird holding its ground in one of the busiest airports in the country.

A janitor saves the day

In the end, it was not airport security or animal control that ended the standoff. According to UPI, a janitor managed to capture the bird using a shirt.

The bird was then taken to a veterinarian to be examined and scanned for a microchip, which could help identify an owner if it is someone’s escaped pet.

Why a pet bird might end up in an airport

Without knowing more about this bird, it is impossible to say how it got there. But in general, pet parrots and other exotic birds sometimes escape through open doors or windows, and once outside they can wander far from home. A big building with open doors and lots of food smells can be an appealing place to land.

Escaped pet birds can also be stressed and frightened, which may help explain the pecking. Unlike wild birds, they may be used to people but not to crowds, noise and strangers grabbing at them.

Tips if you meet a loose pet bird

If you ever cross paths with a bird that looks like a lost pet, a few general tips can help:

  • Give it space. Chasing or grabbing can scare it and lead to bites.
  • Let trained staff or animal control handle the capture when possible.
  • A towel or cloth gently placed over a bird is a common way to calm and contain it, which is essentially what the O’Hare janitor did.
  • Report the sighting to local animal services, since owners often search there first.
  • If you find a bird, a vet or shelter can check for a microchip or leg band.

Why we love stories like this

Part of the appeal is the contrast. Airports are all schedules, lines and rules. Then a bird shows up and ignores every one of them. The clips are funny, a little chaotic and, thanks to a janitor with a shirt, end without anyone getting seriously hurt.

The landing

The green bird of Terminal 5 had its moment of fame, perching on heads and pecking at would-be rescuers before being safely caught and taken to a vet. Here’s hoping the microchip scan helps it find its way home, preferably not through an airport this time.

Image: Green Parrot by Ruth Caron via StockSnap, CC0 1.0