Posted on 01/16/2006 7:38:29 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
A TALKATIVE parrot was being blamed for the break-up of a couple's relationship after squawking the name of the woman's secret lover, British newspapers reported today.
Ziggy, an eight-year-old African grey, prompted a confession from 25-year-old call centre worker Suzy Collins that she was having a four-month fling with a former colleague when the pet blurted out: "Gary, I love you."
The bird had previously said "Hiya, Gary" when Collins' mobile phone rang and made kissing noises when the name was mentioned on radio or television but its owner, Chris Taylor, from Leeds, northern England, laughed it off.
But the computer programmer who bought the bird as a chick and named it after singer David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust said the penny dropped when the couple were snuggled up on the sofa before Christmas.
"We were watching telly when Ziggy blurted out, 'I love you, Gary' in Suzy's voice. I started laughing but when I looked at Suzy, I could tell something was up. Her face was like beetroot and she started to cry," the 30-year-old said.
"I felt sick to my stomach. She told me that she'd been seeing someone she'd met at work called Gary and that she wanted to finish with me.
"She said she was going to tell me anyway but she didn't know how and couldn't find the right time. I've not idea who this Gary is. I was devastated. Suzy left that night and I've not seen her since.
"She came back to collect her stuff when I was out. I hope I never see her again."
Ms Collins told newspapers she was not proud of her actions but admitted she never liked Ziggy in the first place.
Mr Taylor already divested of a girlfriend has now given away Ziggy.
"I couldn't get him to stop saying that bloody name ... what else could I do?" he said.
Curious Facts
Roadrunners are quick enough to catch and eat rattlesnakes.
Roadrunners prefer walking or running and attain speeds up to 17 mph. hour
The Roadrunner is also called the Chaparral Cock.
The Roadrunner reabsorbs water from its feces before excretion.
The Roadrunners nasal gland eliminates excess salt, instead of using the urinary tract like most birds.
The Roadrunner is the state bird of New Mexico.
Vital Stats
Weight: 8-24 oz.
Length: 20-24 inches" Height: 10-12"
Sexual Maturity: 2-3 yrs..
Mating Season: Spring
Incubation: 18-20 days No. of Eggs: 2-12
Birth Interval: 1 year
Lifespan: 7 to 8 years
Typical diet: insects, lizards, snakes
LOL! Thanks for the ping :)
Faceoff with a chipmunk?
Cool!
I'll check out the pics.
Cool!
He's claimed your yard as his territory?
It's like having a kid around the house.
They hear, remember and repeat everything.
What kind of wine would you serve with parrot?
Thanks for the ping.
Red.
Bowie ping! (sorta)
ROFL!
Reminds me of a Magpie my Grandma had when I was young.
She thought it was SO great when she finally got it to talk! After a few months of everyone 'helping' in expanding its vocabulary, (particularly my Uncle while on leave from the Marines) she finally had to give it away.
Nothing like sitting down to Sunday dinner and having the bird scream "HEY YOU F%^c#n' B&%$TARD!"
:)
The bird is actually saying "Ooooooohhhhhh pissant."
"Oooooohhhh Pissant, what are you going to do with that feather?
LOL
I just wish it would quit singing that darn Berlin song.
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of this bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, and anything he could think of to set a good example. Nothing worked.
Finally, John got fed up and he yelled at the parrot. And, the bird yelled back. John shook the parrot, and the bird got angrier and ruder. Finally, in a moment of desperation, John put the bird in the refrigerator freezer. For a few minutes, John heard the bird squawk and kick and scream...then suddenly there was quiet. Not a peep for over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the bird, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's out-stretched arm and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I am truly sorry, and I will do everything to correct my poor behavior."
John was astonished at the bird's change of attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the chicken did?"
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