- “Oh, this bird talks as mangy as he looks!”
- ―Baloo
Ignatius is a one-shot character who appeared in the TaleSpin episode "Polly Wants a Treasure".
Role in the episode[]
Ignatius was a stowaway on the Sea Duck, and Baloo and Kit, who had just bought crystal glass, are heading back to Cape Suzette. Ignatius sneezes very loudly in the back of the plane. Baloo goes to investigate and finds him hiding in a treasure chest. Baloo takes a disliking, but Kit is indifferent. The three are then raided by Mad Dog and Dumptruck, who break the glass they were holding for Rebecca.
Back at Higher for Hire, Rebecca scolds Baloo for "lying" to her and demands he pays her back. Ignatius tells Kit that he knows where some buried treasure from his old owner, Juan Toomany, who did not trust maps. So, he had Ignatius memorize the location. Kit tries to tell Baloo, but Ignatius refuses to tell him because he does not "speak half-wit." Baloo tries to tackle the bird but falls into the water.
Back at Pirate Island, Don Karnage berates Mad Dog and Dumptruck for not taking Ignatius, saying he is a living, breathing treasure map, and tells the two to go back and get the parrot.
Mad Dog and Dumptruck head to Higher for Hire and have Dumptruck disguised as a birdwatcher. He asks Baloo if he is willing to sell the bird, and Baloo immediately agrees and leaves Kit and Ignatius alone while he talks with the "birdwatcher." Ignatius and Kit leave to find the treasure and leave a note to Baloo that says, "Gone to Tucker Forest for treasure. Don't wait up. Yours truly, Kit."
Kit and Ignatius head to the forest, and Ignatius says the treasure is located in Carlsbear Caverns. But the two are spotted by the Air Pirates, and Karnage captures Kit while Ignatius flies off to tell Baloo.
Ignatius finds Baloo, but the two get into another argument, which ends when Baloo hears Kit laughing in the distance. They find Kit being tickled by Mad Dog, and Ignatius makes a diversion by shouting in the distance at Don, saying the bear has come to rescue Kit and he has the bird. Ignatius is able to save Kit from a dazed Karnage.
The three head to the Sea Duck to escape but are followed by the pirates. Kit tries to tell Baloo to go back to get the treasure, but Baloo refuses. Ignatius tells him he will tell them where the treasure is, and he is out of Baloo's life for good, which Baloo agrees to.
The three fly into the cavern, and one by one the pirates' planes are destroyed. But the three are still able to catch up with them and hold Kit hostage while Baloo and Ignatius are trapped due to Baloo setting off a booby trap. Karnage won't let Kit go unless Baloo hands over the bird.
After setting off another trap, Baloo and Ignatius find the treasure, but the two get into another heated argument. They make amends and go save Kit.
While thinking of a way to save Kit, Baloo sets off Juan's biggest trap, which sends the caverns falling apart, and the three escape.
At Higher for Hire, Ignatius is able to give Baloo the money he owes Rebecca for getting a job at the museum and telling the tale of how he single-handedly saved Baloo from a fate worse than death. He says goodbye to the bears and flies off.
