President Woodrow Wilson had several pets, the most notable of course being Old Ike, the tobacco-chewing ram. However, like several Presidents, Wilson also had several songbirds in the White House with him.
Unfortunately, not much is known about Wilson’s birds. Unlike some more famous avian residents such as Jackson’s profanity-speaking parrot, Polly, Wilson’s birds led an unremarkable life. Or at least, a life that didn’t interest reporters at the time.
President Wilson was responsible for signing into legislation that created the National Park Service, designed to protect the United States’ national parks and monuments. As these parks are home to several species of bird, one could say he took his love of animals beyond the White House walls and made sure they’d be protected for many years to come.
