Oct 15, 2026 - News
How a mechanical bird from New Orleans inspired Disney magic
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A Disney employee works on an animatronic bird in 1962 for Disneyland's Tiki Tiki exhibit. Photo: Tom Nebbia/Corbis via Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson's drama with a mechanical bird has me thinking about New Orleans' famous bird automaton.
The big picture: Walt Disney was vacationing in New Orleans in the 1950s and found a singing robotic bird at an antique shop.
- He was likely at M.S. Rau, but shop spokesperson Sarah Celino says they don't have definitive proof.
- The caged bird whistled, flapped its wings and turned its head. He bought it, the Disney family museum says, and brought it to his Imagineers to figure out how it worked.
- The technology led to Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room and the company's expertise in animatronics, the official fan club says.
Zoom in: Singing bird boxes are still "wildly popular" at the Royal Street store.
- "We don't hold onto them for very long," Celino says.
- M.S. Rau currently has three for sale, starting at $19,850 for a jeweled silver version.
- Feel like splurging? Go for the $68,500 option with a "lifelike feathered bird that sings a joyful melody" while turning its head, fluttering its wings and opening its beak.
