Meet Zorro and Luna, Rafiq's free-flying feathered friends

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

Rafiq Haikal Rosdi started training his birds Zorro (left) and Luna to free-fly when they were about two months old. (Rafiq Haikal Rosdi pic)
PETALING JAYA : Have you heard of
Have you heard of
free-flying birds ? These are birds that are trained to return to their owners after flying outdoors.
That's exactly what Rafiq Haikal Rosdi's feathered companions, Zorro and Luna, can do! On National Parrot Day today, FMT Lifestyle shines a spotlight on these beautiful birds and their bond with their human.
Zorro, an Edward's Lorikeet, has striking greenish-yellow plumage with a splash of blue on his head. Luna, a Red Lory, is just as eye-catching, with glossy crimson plumage tinged with purplish and dark blue hues.
'I started training them to free fly when they were about two months old,' Rafiq, 23, shared. He began with commands like 'fly to me', 'walk to me', 'jump down' and 'jump up', training them indoors at first before gradually moving outdoors.
'When they're flying, Zorro always follows wherever Luna goes. But Luna doesn't follow Zorro!' he added with a smile.
Zorro is a lovelyEdward's Lorikeet, while Luna is a vibrant Red Lory. (Rafiq Haikal Rosdi pic)
Although he hasn't conducted DNA tests to accurately ascertain their genders, Rafiq believes Zorro is male and Luna female. Both birds, he said, are about two years old, with Zorro being four to five months older.
Rafiq dotes on his feathered friends and makes it a point to spend his evenings engaging in free-flying sessions with them.
When time permits on weekends, Rafiq – who lives in Lumut, Perak – travels to places like Bukit Antarabangsa in Selangor to meet other bird owners, so Zorro and Luna can soar through the skies alongside fellow free-flyers.
His dedication doesn't stop there: every morning, he feeds the birds fresh fruits like bananas, papayas and apples.
On weekdays, whenever his schedule allows, he returns home during his lunch break to give them extra food. Thankfully, his office isn't far from his home, making these midday visits possible.
Zorro and Luna will boldly go where most birds won't: near a cat! (Rafiq Haikal Rosdi pic)
Rafiq has cared for the birds since they were three or four weeks old, hand-feeding them three times a day when they were younger. Naturally, they've developed a close bond with him.
'When I return home, they start chirping as soon as they hear my voice,' he said fondly.
Zorro, Rafiq noted, is the more affectionate of the two – although Luna has a jealous streak and doesn't like it when he plays with his kitten!
While most birds steer clear from cats, Zorro is an exception: the bird tries to befriend the resident feline, sometimes by playfully nibbling on the kitten's ears and tail. The kitty is usually unimpressed.
Both birds, Rafiq noted, are also fascinated by shiny things: if he's wearing a ring, they love to peck on it!
Rafiq dotes on his feathered companions, and it's clear the affection is mutual. (Rafiq Haikal Rosdi pics)
Indeed, Rafiq's feathered companions fill his life with happiness, and he treasures the lasting memories they create together, especially during their free-flying sessions.
'When Zorro and Luna fly back to me, it's a heartwarming feeling,' he concluded.
Follow the adventures of Zorro and Luna on TikTok.
This article was written by Sheela Vijayan @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathered friends to [e-mail]. Don't forget to include details like your pet's name, age, breed and a short story about them.