Amanda Florian

Bernie Sanders' campaign is really starting to soar.

The Vermont senator’s newest and perhaps most colorful recruiter? A parrot named Sir Henry Grey Poops-On.

The chatty bird can be found working at Sanders' East Tennessee campaign office -- nestled in a small shopping center in Johnson City, Tenn. -- chirping, tweeting and speaking his most famous catchphrase: “Feel the Bern.”

Sir Henry’s owner of nearly 27 years, campaign volunteer Carleen Claybaker, says having her pet nearby has been "a nice addition," and creates a warmer environment.

Claybaker, 65, says she supports the candidate because he’s accountable. And despite what many say, she notes, Sanders doesn’t only appeal to the younger crowd.

“I see a whole lot of people my age (supporting Bernie). It’s a nice partnership between the old hippies and the Millennials,” she says.

“Henry allowed for an easy transition into conversations concerning volunteering opportunities,” says Caleb Bailey, a sophomore at East Tennessee State University, who interned at the campaign office earlier this year. Community members, he says, were intrigued by Sir Henry, who acted as an “icebreaker.”

“The role Henry played was very important as it enabled us to get more people involved at the office and in the campaign in general," Bailey says.

But Sir Henry may not be the only bird who’s feeling the Bern. One Twitter user wrote “Spuddie Sanders” is, too.

And last summer, a Birds for Bernie Twitter account was created to rally more support for Sanders.

This bird appears to be a bit more vocal.

Amanda Florian is a Milligan College student a USA TODAY College correspondent.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.