F OU R I F BY S E A
For the Birds The story of a wayward pigeon that stole hearts at one local watering hole By Amanda McDanel
On
a cold winter night, several friends gathered in a secluded corner of Avalon Pier to tell a few tales. This sort of comradery isn’t unusual on any given night, as the pier’s bar often draws a colorful crowd who like to belly up for But the Davises made some cold brews in the company of kindred spirits. Akin sure Charlie wouldn’t forget to the Island of Misfit Toys, the pier beckons to a variety his forever home at the pier, too. of castaways – and there’s always a seat at the bar for In light of pigeons’ internal homing those salty enough to seek it. ability, Aubrey made sure to carefully place In August of 2019 this held even more true, as Charlie in a cage to make a trip to the pier every day in an inebriated pirate (of sorts) stumbled into the bar order to acclimate him to the local landscape. clasping a plucky creature that had just been discovered And slowly but surely, Charlie became not only the underneath the pier. Only days old, the strange looking pier mascot, but also a valuable member of the Avalon pigeon had fallen from his nest and Pier crew. Upon entering the pier, a plummeted into an entirely new place hand-painted sign read “Beware of to call home. the Friendly Pigeon” to announce Rescued initially by the bartenders, Once, Charlie even stood Charlie’s presence to newcomers. whose animal-loving instincts told in for security when a Fully recuperated and growing at a them that this was a special bird, the rapid rate, Charlie could now make pigeon dubbed “Charlie” was quickly patron indulged too much the trip to the pier from the Davises the subject of a frantic phone call to and tried to take a nap by flying solo as well, and he used Aubrey Davis, a Kill Devil Hills resident those visits to satisfy his craving for who liked to frequent the pier after under the pier – incensed, human interaction. work. From pigeons to pelicans, Charlie flew down and Whether he perched atop the Aubrey – a brewery owner by trade mechanical Pirate Zoltar to watch landed on the gentleman’s as people’s fortunes were dealt or – had long since earned a reputation as a local rehabber of the winged set. ankle bracelet in order to he descended down to the beach to Unable to resist, Aubrey peck him awake. mingle with families sunning in the immediately took Charlie home sand, he was a consummate ham. He to nurse him back to health. With especially liked to pose for pictures the help of his wife, the couple fed with the ladies – though it was most Charlie with baby food syringes, took him on daily walks often while sitting on their heads. with their three dogs, and provided him with a his own The bartenders treated him like a fellow barback, special perch right inside their home. teaching him how to fling coasters at customers and 14 | S PR I N G 2021
training him to collect bills and punch (or, in his case, poke) holes in drink cards during special “Wednesdays with Charlie.” Once, Charlie even stood in for security when a patron indulged too much and tried to take a nap under the pier – incensed, Charlie flew down and landed on the gentleman’s ankle bracelet in order to peck him awake. By October 2020, Charlie had built up some extra winter weight and his new full stature was catching the eyes of several feathered females – leading Charlie to do what any young adolescent male naturally does: He started bringing his girlfriends home from the pier for dinner with the parents. The Davises continued to put out food for him and his feathery flavor of the week in hopes that Charlie would indeed (and quite literally) spread his wings to fly. Alas, Mother Nature had other plans for our hero. After enjoying a routine afternoon snack at the Davises, Charlie fell victim to a Cooper’s Hawk that was searching for a snack of his own. The neighbors who witnessed Charlie’s unfortunate ending could confirm that all that remained were a few feathers on the driveway and a hole in the heart of a rowdy group of comrades. While the pier crew at Avalon may never be the same, a memorial celebration is planned post-pandemic to honor the memory of what was, essentially, a wayward seagull who captured the true spirit of our local shores.
