Show business is for the birds. Just ask Yvonne Patterson.

“They love it,” the Kansas City area birdkeeper said.

It’s a trick training a bird to roller-skate. But Patterson has taught her flock to skate, shoot hoops, dance and sing.

She and her feathered troupe drew crowds Thursday at the Lawrence Public Library, where her “Wings of Love” team performed stunts for dozens of delighted children.

Uala, the salmon-crested cockatoo, did somersaults in the air like a gymnast.

And the bird held on as Patterson swung it in wide circles over her head before gliding the bird into her arms, cradling it like a child.

“He loves this because he’s my little baby,” she said.

Uala also hopped on a bicycle and, turning the pedals with clawed feet, made it glide across a table.

Taking it up a notch, Uala rode the bicycle across a high wire, each trick rewarded with food.

The show also featured Cosmo, a white triton cockatoo with a yellow crest, and Mr. Bo Jangles, a blue and gold macaw.

“They’re not just birds,” said Ben Munson, 13, who took in the show. “All creatures of the world have their special talents.”

Patterson has had birds since she was young, she said. But her “Wings of Love” business – which offers the show for schools, parties and other events – came about somewhat serendipitously. Patterson, a horticulturist, first put three of her birds on display at a miniature golf center in the Kansas City area.

The caged birds attracted audiences, so Patterson put on a bird exhibit. She found that people loved to be entertained by the birds while also learning about their exotic origins. And the business was born.

According to her Web site, www.awesomebirds.com, Patterson charges anywhere from $260 to more than $700 for various programs.

Several of Patterson’s birds are endangered in the wild. According to her Web site, Patterson hopes her programs raise awareness of tropical deforestation and the growing market for smuggling the birds.

The exotic birds have origins around the world, including the South Pacific and Central and South America.

“They’re a lot like children,” Patterson said. “They need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise.”

The birds are about as smart as a 5-year-old child, she said.

Some tricks take longer for them to learn than others.

To teach a bird to roller-skate, the first step was simply to put the skates near the bird. Each step was followed by a treat. Once the bird was used to the skates, she set the bird atop them. Again a treat. With the bird atop the skates, she moves its feet back and forth demonstrating the walking action. Slowly the bird learns to walk.

Swinging upside down is an easy trick for the birds.

“They love going upside down,” she said. “They do that in the wild.”

Patterson simply elaborated on the natural behavior, she said.

When teaching birds to speak, Patterson uses a clicker machine. When the bird speaks, she makes a quick click – a fast encouragement. Then she follows up with a treat.

But the tricks she’s learned to teach over the years are not for everyone. Patterson said there can be abuse. And in many ways, birds require as much care as children.

Patterson’s birds live in a big sunroom attached to her house and eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

“They need a lot of socializing and love and stimulation,” she said. “I’m a slave to these birds.”