Posted on 10/23/2007 7:41:13 AM PDT by NYer
MUNCIE, Ind. - A noisy parrot that likes to imitate sounds helped save a man and his son from a house fire by mocking a smoke alarm, the bird's owner says.
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Shannon Conwell, 33, said he and his 9-year-old son fell asleep on the couch while watching a movie. They awoke about 3 a.m. Friday to find their home on fire after hearing the family's Amazon parrot, Peanut, imitating a fire alarm.
"He was really screaming his head off," Conwell said.
The smoke alarm had activated, but it was the bird's call that caught Conwell's attention.
"I grabbed my son and my bird, and got out of the house," he said.
The fire destroyed the home's dining room, kitchen and bedroom, Muncie fire officials said. It remains under investigation.
Aside from Peanut, Conwell said the fact that he and his son fell asleep on the couch helped save them. They may not have heard the alarm or the bird if they were asleep in their bedrooms.
Conwell said he runs an air conditioner and a breathing machine in his bedroom and they drown out a lot of noise around the house.
The first time I met that bird, she crawled right up my arm.
Now she won’t look twice at me and when she does...she tries to bite.
Sounds like she’s jealous of you and Hoody.
My conure loves me if we’re alone, but when the Moluccan is around, he bites the pea-turkey out of me.
A friend’s ex BF had a female African Grey which was extremely jealous of my friend. The bird would “be nice” when the BF was in the room, but if my friend walked by the bird when he wasn’t around, the bird would reach out, hiss and bite the crap out of my friend.
I’ve heard that birds often tend to be “one owner” pets and can be very territorial and possessive of their owners. My cockatiel was the same way about me.
LOL try them with guinea hens and the cats will leave home !
I can tell you that 4 of mine are territorial and jealous in one way or another. The other is an attention whore and will go to anyone.
Two of my birds really dislike leaving their cage. They will, but only with the right person. The macaw will not allow me to touch him, but he will readily condescend to allow me to clean his cage and refill water and food bowls and give him treats. He half-heartedly lunges at me to remind me not to take any liberties with his person.
My gray allows anyone to pick her up and give treats, but only I can scratch her. Same with the Amazon, but she won’t allow my kid anywhere near her cage.
Birds are funny that way - very suspicious.
That is just too cute!
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