U.S. President Facts That Will Make You See Them Differently

Thomas Jefferson had a pet mockingbird that basically acted like it owned the White House. It perched on his shoulder during meetings, swooped around the rooms freely, and even stole bites of food right off his plate. Jefferson loved it — everyone else just had to deal.

It’s a surprisingly adorable image: the author of the Declaration of Independence hanging out like a Disney princess with a mischievous bird buddy. The mockingbird even learned tunes Jefferson whistled, turning the presidency into something of a musical duet.