Royal Pets: Islay, Tilco, The Macaw and Two Lovebirds

Islay, Tilco, the Great Macaw
and Two Lovebirds
Sir Edwin Landseer, 1839
The Royal Collection

Islay, the terrier, was a favorite companion of Queen Victoria. The scruffy darling is shown here in this 1839 portrait by Sir Edwin Landseer—the great painter of animals. Islay is joined by his friend Tilco as well as some fowl sidekicks. The Great Macaw (not to be confused with The Lory) was known to have spent a great deal of time with Islay. With them are two love birds from the Royal Aviary.


Not to be outdone, Bertie and his friend, The Lory II, have posed for a picture of their own.