‘Rare and Important’ Bird Found Shivering in Cruise Ship Hot Tub
During a cruise on the Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess, a family discovered an unexpected stowaway on their vacation.
Charlene Halsey and her daughters spotted a “shivering” corn crake hiding under the step of a hot tub on the ship’s 16th deck. This small bird is classified as endangered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Experts suggest it might have taken refuge on the ship while it sailed through the Mediterranean, only to be trapped when heavy rain began.
After discovering the bird, Halsey informed the crew and regularly checked on it in its hot-tub hideaway. They eventually brought it into their cabin for the night to keep it warm and comfortable. “It was raining heavily, and the poor thing was shivering. We watched it for a while, and it appeared unable to fly,” Halsey shared with the BBC.
The family provided the corn crake with a cozy sleepover, wrapping it in a towel for warmth and naming it Aaron Burrd, inspired by a character from the musical Hamilton.
“It was amusing to watch it playing with its reflection in the mirror and tossing my daughter’s hairbands in the air,” Halsey recalled.
As animal enthusiasts, the family was determined to ensure the corn crake received proper care after docking in Portland, England, the next day. Through research, they identified the bird as a corncrake and arranged for bird rescuer Derek Davey to collect it upon arrival in Portland.
Davey shared the unusual incident on Facebook, describing a call from a passenger about a bird sheltering from the rain. He confirmed it was indeed a corn crake, which migrates to Africa for the winter. He noted the challenge of caring for it until it can be safely released back when spring arrives.
Davey expressed his privilege and responsibility in looking after such a rare and elusive bird.