Maria Kowaleski. Maria has worked at WBU for just under 4 years. Her favorite part of the job is talking to our customers and hearing what excites them about the hobby of birding. Maria’s prior work experience in both retail and education have built the perfect foundation for her to share product features and local bird knowledge with customers. Blue Jays are Maria’s favorite bird. “They are always on the lookout for trouble, especially when the hawks visit. I love to see them enjoy the peanuts and they let me know when I need to refill my feeders!”
Birdie and The Bird Crew
Cheryl "Birdie" Miller is the Owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, McKinney. She has been feeding the birds for over 30 years. Her mother and father, both educators, raised her well. They helped her develop her life-long love of learning and to always find laughter in life. Her father was also a biologist/zoologist/botanist and a college professor who gave her a deep appreciation of nature and a love for birds.
“I had been a Wild Birds Unlimited customer for many years, frequenting the Dallas shop. As I was driving the traffic-filled hour and 20 minutes home one day from WBU Dallas, I imagined that there were people like me in Collin County that would love to have a place close by to get their backyard bird feeding supplies. That is the moment I decided to open my McKinney shop!” says Birdie.
Birdie is a certified Bird Feeding Specialist, member of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Prairie, and Timber Audubon Society, and has lived in McKinney on and off since 1993. She is currently a Board Member of The Heard Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary and The Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney.
About WBU McKinney:
Wild Birds Unlimited, a nature shop, just opened in April of 2017. It is located in McKinney, at 3001 S. Hardin Blvd. in the Tom Thumb shopping center and services Frisco, Allen, Plano, Fairview, Prosper, Ana, Celina, Lucas, and other area cities. Your Wild Birds Unlimited McKinney sells feeders, bird food, birdbaths, outdoor garden accents, optics, and more.
Cheryl "Birdie" Miller, Owner
Sue Ann Burger. Sue Ann joined the Bird Crew after moving to Dallas from Denver. Brrrr… it was just too cold in Colorado, for both her and many of the birds she loves! The cardinal is her favorite and she can now find these in abundance in our area. Sue Ann comes to our shop after a 30-year career in education, teaching gifted and advanced-level students. Her extended family are all bird-watchers and she grew up listening to her parents talk about the various birds that visited their backyard feeders. When Sue Ann is not greeting customers in the shop, you can find her tutoring children online around the world or traveling. Fun fact: Sue Ann and Birdie were next-door neighbors in Oklahoma throughout their childhood years!
Angie.
Kristal Willoughby. Kristal has been with WBU McKinney since before the doors opened in 2017! Her favorite part of the job talking to customers - hearing them share about the birds that are visiting their yards, helping them attract more birds, and sharing knowledge to help them get the most out of the hobby. Kristal’s favorite bird is the Eastern Bluebird. “They are called the ‘Bluebird of Happiness’ for good reason… their brilliant plumage, the song they sing, and the fact they like to be in close proximity to people.”
Susan Philo. Susan has worked in retail for over 30 years, bringing a wealth of customer service experience to Wild Birds Unlimited. Her favorite part of the job is the people—both customers and fellow associates—who share her enthusiasm for birding.
Her favorite bird is the Northern Cardinal, which she loves for its loyalty. “We’ve had many generations of a Cardinal family in our backyard, and it’s been such a joy to watch them raise their young year after year.”
Susan especially enjoys helping customers learn how to find the right seed and products to maximize their enjoyment of birding. She wants everyone to appreciate the beauty of our wildlife.
Peter Shackelford Peter started with the Bird Crew in 2021 since he missed the memo about the store opening in 2017. His favorite part about working with the Bird Crew is providing service, support & Dad jokes for everyone! Peter came to WBU after 25 years of retail logistics/management and IT positions, having worked for retailers, banks and consultancies both in Texas and in the UK. Peter’s favorite bird(s) are the Blue Jay & Mockingbird that keep things lively in his backyard… both seem to think they own it!