When anyone leaves the house Buster throws a fit. Of course there are the usual questions, "Goin' to work?" or "Goin' shoppin'? or "Goin' for a little swim?"
Often he will instinctively know which one is appropriate by watching for signs of what we are about to do. Most often he is right.
When we leave the house, he demands water and the music on (the radio-he loves rock and roll). Then as we go out the door Buster lets out with the most pitiful squeal.
On day Buster was in his outside cage on the porch and I was daydreaming on the glider. An older gentleman named Shelly came by on his way to the pool. He stopped by Buster's cage to say hello. Buster didn't say a word but looked him over very carefully. He noticed the straw hat, swimming trunks and a towel thrown over Shelly's shoulder. Then he said very distinctly, "Goin' for a little swim?" Shelly's mouth dropped open, he looked at Buster, then at me, shook his head in disbelief and continued on his way to the pool!
Note: I've had several people write to me who also have talking birds. I invite you all to tell everyone about your bird's antics by writing in the comment section below. I would love to hear all about your bird! Please share your stories with me!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
PARROT JOKE AND UNUSUAL STORIES
The insulting parrot.
A man buys a parrot, only to have it constantly insult him. He tries everything to make the parrot stop, but nothing works. Frustrated, the man puts the parrot in the freezer. After a few minutes the insults stop. The man thinks he might have killed the parrot, so he opens the freezer and takes the parrot out. The parrot is shivering. It stammers, “S-s-sorry for being r-r-rude. Please f-f-forgive me.” Then, after a moment, the parrot softly asks, “W-w-what exactly d-d-did the turkey do?”Lost Parrot Talks Way Home
Police rescued a parrot from a roof two weeks ago near Tokyo, Japan. The parrot didn’t say much to the law enforcement officers, but it couldn’t stop talking once passed on to a veterinarian.“I’m Mr. Yosuke Nakamura,” the parrot reportedly told the vet. Yosuke also provided his home address down to the street number and sang songs to entertain the hospital staff. Once the address was checked, officials found a Nakamura family indeed lived there.
The Nakamura’s had been teaching their parrot its name and address for two years. It paid off, and the bird was returned home.
Parrot mimics owner's voice to boss around her other pets
A parrot that learned to mimic his owner's voice is using the skill to issue orders to her other pets.
Margaret Sullivan: 'Barney's a really bossy parrot. He even chats back at me and swears when I'm talking sometimes ? he's so cheeky'
Barney, an African Grey Parrot, calls Margaret Sullivan's three dogs – Harry, Tilly and Bluey – by name.
The bird, 10, squawks out orders like "come here" and even offers praise to his favorites such as "good dog".
Mrs Sullivan, 65, who lives in Tredworth, Gloucestershire, with partner Ken Kersey, 62, admitted that Barney has a "very high opinion of himself".
She said: "Barney's a really bossy parrot. He even chats back at me and swears when I'm talking sometimes – he's so cheeky.
"He's always tried to learn how to speak in my voice but he has got better and better at it ever since I bought him.
"Barney's got a really high opinion of himself and he certainly likes to think he's my favourite out of the pets. He's not – but I would never tell him that."
Mr and Mrs Sullivan own three dogs, Alsatian-Collie cross Harry, 12, Cairn terrier Tilly, three, and her son Bluey, eight-months.
Mrs Sullivan, a grandmother-of-seven, bought Barney as a young parrot in 1998 and he has been perfecting her voice and accent ever since.
His favourite games is calling out to a cat named Shadow. He then praises him when he does as he is told and sits on top of Barney's cage.
Mr Sullivan said: "He always says 'come here', 'come on' and 'good dog' to the pets and gives out orders to all the animals in Margaret's voice.
"It's uncanny. He mimics her perfectly and when the dogs come over to the cage as if they are following his orders.
"The animals all think he's Margaret when he speaks. He loves ordering them around and commanding them – it's very surprising. He's not frightened or scared of them at all."
Barney, an African Grey Parrot, calls Margaret Sullivan's three dogs – Harry, Tilly and Bluey – by name.
The bird, 10, squawks out orders like "come here" and even offers praise to his favorites such as "good dog".
Mrs Sullivan, 65, who lives in Tredworth, Gloucestershire, with partner Ken Kersey, 62, admitted that Barney has a "very high opinion of himself".
She said: "Barney's a really bossy parrot. He even chats back at me and swears when I'm talking sometimes – he's so cheeky.
"He's always tried to learn how to speak in my voice but he has got better and better at it ever since I bought him.
"Barney's got a really high opinion of himself and he certainly likes to think he's my favourite out of the pets. He's not – but I would never tell him that."
Mr and Mrs Sullivan own three dogs, Alsatian-Collie cross Harry, 12, Cairn terrier Tilly, three, and her son Bluey, eight-months.
Mrs Sullivan, a grandmother-of-seven, bought Barney as a young parrot in 1998 and he has been perfecting her voice and accent ever since.
His favourite games is calling out to a cat named Shadow. He then praises him when he does as he is told and sits on top of Barney's cage.
Mr Sullivan said: "He always says 'come here', 'come on' and 'good dog' to the pets and gives out orders to all the animals in Margaret's voice.
"It's uncanny. He mimics her perfectly and when the dogs come over to the cage as if they are following his orders.
"The animals all think he's Margaret when he speaks. He loves ordering them around and commanding them – it's very surprising. He's not frightened or scared of them at all."
Friday, September 11, 2009
BUSTER AND THE BABY
Buster was only about 4 years old when baby Taylor came into his life. I wasn't sure what he thought about this new addition brought in the house by my daughter until one day the following happened:
My daughter worked for us in our home business and because she couldn't afford a babysitter she brought her new baby to work every day. Baby Taylor was NOT a happy baby, screaming during his waking hours. This went on for several days with Baby Taylor in the kitchen where Buster was.
One day apparently Buster had enough of the crying and tried to solve the problem himself. First, he asked, "Are you thirsty?" After a few minutes of more crying, he tried, "Want treats?" When that didn't work his last try was (in a really loud voice), "Gotta go!"
At that point when nothing happened Buster just went back in his cage and ate some seeds.
My daughter worked for us in our home business and because she couldn't afford a babysitter she brought her new baby to work every day. Baby Taylor was NOT a happy baby, screaming during his waking hours. This went on for several days with Baby Taylor in the kitchen where Buster was.
One day apparently Buster had enough of the crying and tried to solve the problem himself. First, he asked, "Are you thirsty?" After a few minutes of more crying, he tried, "Want treats?" When that didn't work his last try was (in a really loud voice), "Gotta go!"
At that point when nothing happened Buster just went back in his cage and ate some seeds.
Friday, August 28, 2009
BUSTER SILLINESS
Buster's sense of humor is outrageous. He loves to tease us and laugh when we screw up!
"You''re silly!", he'll shout then waiting for a response which we will reply, "I'm not silly! You're the silly one!". He then repeats his silly statement followed by "Neenerneenerneener." Then he laughs. One time he responded by saying, "No, I'm the bird!"
My husband Dennis plays poker on the computer and Buster is in his cage right behind him. When he wasn't doing too well one day, he decided to go all in and lost. Buster commented, "That was stupid!" Didn't do much for Dennis' attitude!
"You''re silly!", he'll shout then waiting for a response which we will reply, "I'm not silly! You're the silly one!". He then repeats his silly statement followed by "Neenerneenerneener." Then he laughs. One time he responded by saying, "No, I'm the bird!"
My husband Dennis plays poker on the computer and Buster is in his cage right behind him. When he wasn't doing too well one day, he decided to go all in and lost. Buster commented, "That was stupid!" Didn't do much for Dennis' attitude!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
THE WATER FAUCET
My husband and son bought a new kitchen faucet. When they came home with their purchase, they put the box on the table and we all gathered around to open it. I hadn't seen it and Buster couldn't see it because he was behind us.
We got the box open and while we were admiring it, Buster, apparently frustrated that he couldn't see it said loudly, "WHAT...IS...IT?" He really got our attention!
Of course we had to take it over to him so he could see it and touch it with his beak.
African Grays intelligence is unbelievable. He was never taught to say this. He learned to talk by observation, not us drilling words into his head. This is why his speech is so appropriate and why he can make up his own sentences. Sometimes the sentences are very basic, other times they are fully complete with correct verbs, etc. He continually shocks us with what he knows and what he says!
We got the box open and while we were admiring it, Buster, apparently frustrated that he couldn't see it said loudly, "WHAT...IS...IT?" He really got our attention!
Of course we had to take it over to him so he could see it and touch it with his beak.
African Grays intelligence is unbelievable. He was never taught to say this. He learned to talk by observation, not us drilling words into his head. This is why his speech is so appropriate and why he can make up his own sentences. Sometimes the sentences are very basic, other times they are fully complete with correct verbs, etc. He continually shocks us with what he knows and what he says!
Monday, July 20, 2009
IS IT BUSTER?...OR THE PHONE, THE MICROWAVE, ETC.?
African Grays don't squawk. They whistle and make all sorts of sounds ranging from sawing and hammering to snapping sounds to old car squeals and car alarms. We never taught Buster to speak. Because of his intelligence he is able to observe situations, body language and tone of voice. He is never wrong in his response.
African Grays are masters of imitation. When we start to fry something, Buster starts the "smoke alarm" sound. This would be bad enough but then a real one goes off and then our second one. We then have three smoke alarms sounding off at once!
Most times when we use the microwave, even though Buster can't see us he can hear the microwave door. Just as we push the first number, Buster makes the "microwave beep". Now we aren't sure if we pushed the number or not. I once set a mug of coffee to heat for 444 seconds instead of 45. I had quite a mess to clean up.
He loves to answer the phone and imitating the answering machine. One day he said, "Hello, this is Carol and Dennis"...and he added, and the bird!" He follows up with undetermined jabber as though he is leaving a message.
Our son birdsat only once. Because he worked nights, he slept during the day or at least he tried to do so. When we came home, our son greeted us with bloodshot eyes. Apparently Buster "hammered and sawed" so loudly each day along with all his other sounds and talking, that our son hadn't slept for three days. He never agreed to birdsit again!
Another time our son tried to take a nap on our couch. Next to the couch was a lamp with a copper shade. Well...unfortunately on the other side of the lamp was Buster on top of his cage. As soon as our son put his head down on the pillow, Buster leaned over and starting tapping on the metal shade. No nap for our son that day!
African Grays are masters of imitation. When we start to fry something, Buster starts the "smoke alarm" sound. This would be bad enough but then a real one goes off and then our second one. We then have three smoke alarms sounding off at once!
Most times when we use the microwave, even though Buster can't see us he can hear the microwave door. Just as we push the first number, Buster makes the "microwave beep". Now we aren't sure if we pushed the number or not. I once set a mug of coffee to heat for 444 seconds instead of 45. I had quite a mess to clean up.
He loves to answer the phone and imitating the answering machine. One day he said, "Hello, this is Carol and Dennis"...and he added, and the bird!" He follows up with undetermined jabber as though he is leaving a message.
Our son birdsat only once. Because he worked nights, he slept during the day or at least he tried to do so. When we came home, our son greeted us with bloodshot eyes. Apparently Buster "hammered and sawed" so loudly each day along with all his other sounds and talking, that our son hadn't slept for three days. He never agreed to birdsit again!
Another time our son tried to take a nap on our couch. Next to the couch was a lamp with a copper shade. Well...unfortunately on the other side of the lamp was Buster on top of his cage. As soon as our son put his head down on the pillow, Buster leaned over and starting tapping on the metal shade. No nap for our son that day!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
MR. MANNERS
As I wrote last time, Buster is the Commander in the house. He also picked up on appropriate manners.
He is not friendly to visitors, especially the cleaning ladies and their vacuum. My husband rescued him the last time the cleaning ladies were vacuuming around his cage because he was screaming in fear like a small child. When the cleaning ladies stepped out the front door to leave, Buster said "Thank you!". The boss cleaning lady came back in to collect her check and turned around to step out the door, Buster, again, said "Thank you!" The ladies laughed knowing Buster was glad to get rid of them. (Remember, last time I wrote about how Buster gets people to leave.)
Often when Buster gets his food, seeds or water he also says "Thank you!"
The other day when Buster asked, "Are you ready to watch TV?", and I replied, "Yes.", Buster said, "Thank you!"
His speech is always appropriate to the situation. He also adds the emotion he picked up at the time he learned it. We only taught him to say one thing, "Neener, neener, neener." hoping he would say this to our son but he hasn't so far. We carry on simply conversations with Buster often the instigator. Birds love to interact with each other and us so to not respond is cruel. Sometimes the conversation is the same one we've had many times with some variations but we respond anyway.
He is not friendly to visitors, especially the cleaning ladies and their vacuum. My husband rescued him the last time the cleaning ladies were vacuuming around his cage because he was screaming in fear like a small child. When the cleaning ladies stepped out the front door to leave, Buster said "Thank you!". The boss cleaning lady came back in to collect her check and turned around to step out the door, Buster, again, said "Thank you!" The ladies laughed knowing Buster was glad to get rid of them. (Remember, last time I wrote about how Buster gets people to leave.)
Often when Buster gets his food, seeds or water he also says "Thank you!"
The other day when Buster asked, "Are you ready to watch TV?", and I replied, "Yes.", Buster said, "Thank you!"
His speech is always appropriate to the situation. He also adds the emotion he picked up at the time he learned it. We only taught him to say one thing, "Neener, neener, neener." hoping he would say this to our son but he hasn't so far. We carry on simply conversations with Buster often the instigator. Birds love to interact with each other and us so to not respond is cruel. Sometimes the conversation is the same one we've had many times with some variations but we respond anyway.
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