Did you hear about the parrot?

[alfreda89]

Specifically, an African Grey with a vocabulary of 950 words. He appears to have as much understanding as say a toddler, and this should open the eyes of all bird folk -- are you meeting your bird's need to explore, play, and learn?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3430481.stm

Comments

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, I believe it. 1minnesotagirl's parrot can do both phone ringers, and sounds just like the "Hello, Moto!" voice on her cell. Paris loves to get her up and checking phones. This story I related was about an old friend of hers. The friend is getting up in years, and it's time to start planning where his bird will go. One son travels too much to take the bird, one doesn't want it, and they're not sure the third is forgiven for being a kid -- his friend certainly wasn't! That parrot knew the friend's voice over ten years later, and exacted his revenge!

[juliabk.livejournal.com]

This is another reason why I would probably never be able to bring myself to own a parrot. I can't see taking on a pet that's going to outlive me and that I'll need to try and provide for after I'm gone. I imagine that when I start approaching my last years, I'll likely not have pets at all, for that reason.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I understand the dilemma -- but having pets appears to make people healthier and live longer. I'm going to put money in the will to take care of the last animal, vet bills and such. I figure I'll want at least a cat for quite a while yet.

[juliabk.livejournal.com]

True. I guess a lot will also depend on where the kid is at the time. If she's in a position at the time to take on any pet I might leave, that might sway me. I think I'll always be feeding and taking care of any strays around me.

Maybe she'll marry a vet (she's already said there's no way she wants to be one ;-). That could make the whole stray matter much easier to do. :-)