[Ichneumon]

I can tell what my boys are doing three rooms away. I know that when it gets quiet, they're doing something that'll get 'em into trouble.

We don't have any (human) kids, but when I hear the parrot mutter to himself, "bad bird... bad bird...", I know it's time to go see what he's up to.

He also scolds the dogs and cats when appropriate (e.g. "Holly, *stop* it..."), so he's a pretty handy "trouble alarm".

[RandallFlagg]

LOL! I could see me (a Sailor) using a parrot as my child monitor:

**SQUAACK!** "Kids are effing up, kids are effing up!!" **whistle**