A Blue and Gold macaw from Broken Hill enjoys a January sea-change at Wallaroo’s North Beach
January at Wallaroo’s North Beach usually means plenty of utes and 4x4s, esky traffic and familiar faces from inland towns.
This summer, add a free-flying blue and gold macaw from Broken Hill to the mix.
Her name’s Kizmet, and she too is making the most of a January sea-change.
Like most holiday-makers, Kizmet keeps a pretty loose schedule. Most mornings she’ll spread her wings and head out for a fly, with another adventure often pencilled in for late afternoon – weather permitting. She’s got people to visit, views to admire, and a very clear preference for the two-storey homes along the esplanade.
She’s Not Lost, She’s Just Living Her Best Life
Locals say she’s been making the rounds, often visiting the same friendly faces on her daily circuits. Recently, she took things up a notch – landing on a fishing boat out at sea, reportedly while being chased by a seagull.
She’s causing a bit of a stir, but most locals and holidaymakers are getting the hang of it, happily explaining to newcomers that Kizmet is a rare “free flyer”. She’s not lost, or missing. She’ll head back to the holiday house when she’s good and ready.
Her owner, Cassie Koch, says Kizmet’s nickname is Esmay Watson – because she’s quite the stickybeak. And it fits. Back home in Broken Hill, the vibrant South American parot once gatecrashed a house auction, completely stealing the show before the hammer fell and earning herself a cameo on the Broken Hill First National Facebook page.
Originally from Toowoomba, Kizmet’s destiny (yes, that is what her name means) was always bigger than a backyard perch. Since Cassie adopted her in 2024, the pair have clocked up a fair bit of travel – from the Grampians to Mount Gambier.
“She’s basically an ADHD toddler,” Cassie laughs. “Only she doesn’t get past the toddler stage.”
For Cassie, letting Kizmet fly free is a calculated choice, and one she stands by.
“Birds are born to fly,” she says. “You do have to weigh up the risks, but I also believe most people are good people. They enjoy seeing her, and they let her make her own way home. It’s not every day you see a bird like her flying around the place – not in a cage.”
But Cassie does stress, for anyone who thinks they’d like a bird just like Kizmet, Macaws are a big commitment. They live a similar lifespan to a human, need a balanced diet, fresh fruit and veg, plenty of attention… and yes, they can be wildly destructive. “They’re not the kind of bird you leave in a cage and get the neighbours to feed while you’re away,” she said. Her suggestion for anyone thinking about taking on a bird like Kizmet, is to look for ones who already need adopting and rehoming.
If you ever spot Kizmet on your travels — who knows where her next adventure will be — enjoy the magic, snap a pic (tag GSA, we’d love to check out her travels), and let her fly free, make mischief and head home when she’s ready!
