People usually spoil their pets with treats and toys, but this parrot got even luckier. His owner, Steven Loyer, took the bird snorkeling in a custom-built personal submarine.
Bebe, a white-winged parrot about 15 centimeters long from beak to tail, became an internet sensation after a video of him exploring the underwater world appeared online. In just four days the clip racked up more than 600,000 likes.
Loyer placed the bird in a custom-made sub that provided a continuous supply of oxygen.
During the 15-minute trip, Bebe descended to about 0.9 meters and watched bright corals and fish. The camera captured his relaxed, curious gaze.
Brave Little Sailor Stayed Calm During a Submarine Ride
Loyer said that before the dive he fed Bebe and gave him water. The bird entered the personal sub voluntarily and showed no signs of stress.
Some social media users loved the unusual submariner, while others argued, “the parrot doesn’t belong there.” Some even claimed the clip was AI-generated, so the owner filmed another video to debunk those accusations, the Daily Mail reported.
So how was Bebe’s submarine built? Loyer explained that the craft’s base was a clear plastic container — food-safe. The vessel used a paintball compressed-air tank pressurized to 3,000 PSI, which Loyer filled with carefully filtered air.
How the equipment worked
- A needle valve regulated the speed of the airflow entering the container.
- A one-way exhaust valve let bubbles escape.
- Lead weights on the outside provided ballast.
- An oxygen gauge monitored the conditions inside the tank.
After the dive, Bebe flew above the waves for a while before returning to Loyer, who was waiting on the shore.
Other videos show the parrot sitting on its owner’s helmet during a bike ride, hiding in a dryer, and washing itself in a glass of water.
Meet the White-winged Parrot
White-winged parrots are native to South America. They often display bright greens, blues, and yellows, with distinctive white patches on their wings that stand out in flight.
These parrots live not only in the wild but also in cities and suburbs. They are very social. When they form flocks, they communicate with loud, high-pitched calls.
Pet white-winged parrots form strong bonds with their owners and often require a lot of attention. They are very active: they climb everywhere and eagerly explore their surroundings.
