That’s what we used to say on this page. Now, however, after watching and re-watching the Batgirl episodes, we’ve come to the conclusion the truth isn’t quite that simple.
Sometimes, Barbara’s pet bird seems small, like a parakeet. At others, he’s larger, like a parrot.
To solve the mystery, first consider this excerpt from Yvonne Craig’s book, From Ballet to the Batcave and Beyond:
After watching the Batgirl Batman episodes in the order in which they were filmed (not broadcast) I think the mystery is solved. Despite what Yvonne wrote, it appears Charlie I was a parakeet. Charlie II, however, was the larger parrot!
The one character (and he was that!) that I absolutely loathed was Charlie, my pet parrot. The writers needed a means of advancing the plot by having me talk about what was going on. In an effort to keep me from muttering to myself like a bag lady, they chose to write in a bird for a pet. Unlike a cat or a dog, which would require a trainer on the set, it was reasoned that a bird would be low maintenance and the perfect foil. The original Charlie was a Mexican green parrot whose set life was extremely short due to someone’s overzealously spraying him for mites.Charlie II was a constant source of frustration because as long as he was in the scene but unseen by the camera he squawked mercilessly. Then the instant I had a scene with him and approached his cage for our chat, he would hunker down on the floor of the cage unseen by the camera lens while I nattered away at an empty perch. Not a sane sight!
He also had a penchant for leaving his cage anytime someone opened the door to replenish his provisions. More than once we had to shut down shooting while we tried to recapture him and restore him to his perch. Nonetheless, we persevered.
At the end of the season my stand-in took him home with her. When we weren’t renewed, I never gave him another thought. Some 20 years later on another set, a grip walked up to me, introduced himself as my ex stand-in’s husband, and said when his wife knew he’d be working with me, she said to be sure and let me know that they still had Charlie and that he was fine. He’ll probably outlive us all, the little scamp.
"Charlie" made his debut in Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin.
He was still a short, stubby fellow in The Sport of Penguins, the second episode to be filmed, but the fourth to be shown.
Still a parakeet in The Ogg and I, the fifth episode filmed, but the eighth shown.
Perhaps sharing the screen with Batgirl was too much for the old boy. In Ring Around the Riddler, the seventh episode filmed, but only the second to be shown, Charlie has grown!
Here are two more views of Charlie, the parrot, from Louie the Lilac.
. . . Charlie (both of them!) has given us some behind the scenes information on the filming of our favorite Bat-Trap scenes.
Be forewarned: this section peaks behind the curtain and discuss how these scenes were done and some real-life reactions from Ms. Craig and others. So, if you don’t want to spoil the fantasy, read no further.
Back to the Batgirl Bat-Trap Homepage!