How to Do the Live Bird Magic Trick

Put on a shirt and jacket where the cuff of the sleeve is snug against your wrist. The wrist openings of the jacket should be large enough to accommodate the circumference of your wrist and the circumference of the bird's body.

Gently smooth the feathers of the bird down and straighten the bird's body. Slide the bird into the sleeve of the jacket so that it is sandwiched between the shirt and jacket fabric. The pigeon should be far enough inside that an observer could not see the bird's head. Slightly bend your wrist to cover the outlet of the jacket sleeve to prevent the bird from escaping.

Hold a scarf up in front of you. The scarf should be made of fabric that is opaque in the light used during your performance. Have an observer certify that the material can not be seen through.

Show the observers the front and back of the scarf so they can confirm that there is nothing attached to the scarf or hidden anywhere. Position the scarf so the front of the scarf is prominently displayed and covering the opening of your sleeve.

Straighten your wrist to allow the bird to emerge. If the bird does not emerge on its own, you can gently reach in and pull the bird from your sleeve using your other hand. Guide the bird to the center of the scarf. Fold the sides of the scarf around your hand and the enclosed bird.

Grasp the center of the scarf and lift it up and away to display the bird. Release the bird into the air for added effect.