Fill it

That spider is the ... I have ever seen.

Which animal is ... A parrot or a dog? I don't like noise.

My mum's chicken is ... Than my grandmothers, but I like it anyway.

Popert, a parrot with blue eyes and red, green, and yellow feathers, is walking upside down in his cage just before dinnertime. He has been entertaining a visitor with friendly greetings like, "Hello, bird. Hello! Whatcha doing? Come here! Come here!"

"He talks all the time. He sings 'Happy Birthday' to me every day, including on my birthday," chuckles Dee, 67, Popert's human companion for almost 25 years. A long-time bird lover, Dee became Popert's forever friend after answering a newspaper ad for the Amazon parrot by a family who could no longer care for him. She prepared Popert's new home by buying a large bird cage and stocking it with safe toys and a bell to play with, along with a good perch for him to stand on, chew, and rub and groom his beak on. She consulted a veterinarian, who recommended a high-quality brand of nutritious bird food. Having raised lovebirds and conures in the past, Dee knew to avoid giving Popert certain types of people food, such as chocolate, that can be dangerous to birds.

Double yellow-headed Amazon parrots like Popert, named for their yellow napes and yellow crowns, often live for 70 years or more. Having one as a pet means a long-term commitment to provide security for the animal.

Because Popert is only 32, Dee, a retired attorney, has a provision for him in her will. "Popert might very well outlive me," she says in an interview. "I have a friend with birds of his own who would be happy to take Popert. Dogs are such good pets, but they don't live long enough. You don't have that problem with parrots."

Her dog stays quiet as Dee takes a telephone call, but Popert doesn't. Soon after the call, he mimics her voice inflection. The bird sits on her shoulder and makes noise, acting as if he is talking on the phone, but his chatter does not include actual words.

Popert also can imitate sirens, which Dee learned after a grease fire broke out in her kitchen early one Sunday morning. Fortunately neither she nor her animals were hurt. Dee took Popert to the vet to ensure he did not suffer any other effects that weren't visible. "I wanted to make sure Popert wasn't suffering from smoke inhalation," says Dee. "He was in a closed room, but the firemen broke the window." Because Popert has a delicate respiratory system, Dee avoids using air freshener, hairspray, scented candles, plug-in deodorizers, Teflon-coated pans, and other beauty or household products with vapors inside the house. Cigarette smoke also can cause serious respiratory problems for birds, and even death.

The parrot's repertoire includes other noises as well. He imitates the bark and meow of Dee's furry pets, kept in a separate room for Popert's safety. In addition to entertainment, the intelligent, sociable bird provides companionship and affection. When he is out of his cage enjoying exercise and social time, Popert often climbs on Dee's shoulder and rubs her with his head and beak and preens her hair.

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