Casper's 2nd best friend
04-03-2015, 12:35 PM
Here are some stories from a while back that I thought you might find amusing (they are from the BBC website)
Wednesday, 27 November, 2002, 11:39 GMT
Parrot gives parishioners the bird
African grey parrot
African grey parrots are often kept as family pets
A foul-mouthed parrot is ruffling a few feathers after setting up home in a West Yorkshire churchyard.
The vicar has received complaints from people who have become targets for verbal abuse from the exotic bird.
The mischievous African grey parrot called Charlie has been living with a flock of pigeons in the bell-tower at St Mary's Church in Mirfield.
Three-year-old Charlie regularly turns the air blue by swearing and wolf-whistling at passers-by.
He seems quite happy at the church said Stuart Wooller, church warden
But despite several attempts to catch the parrot he remains free as a bird.
Owner Zarina France, 34, of Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, said even Charlie's favourite monkey nuts had not been enough to entice him back to captivity.
"Charlie can be very abusive and says all sorts of filthy things that I don't want to repeat.
"He probably picked it all up from me and when I heard about a swearing parrot I knew it was our Charlie."
Voice from above
Church warden Stuart Wooller said Charlie had become a local celebrity since escaping from his owners during the summer.
"I have spoken to Charlie several times and he seems quite happy at the church.
"I know that he wolf-whistles but I haven't heard him swear at me probably out of respect because I am the warden."
Local pub landlord Tim Wood said he was shocked after hearing a mysterious voice from above as he walked his dogs.
"I couldn't believe it when I first heard the parrot.
"I thought I must have really upset someone because of the language that was being used.
- - - Updated - - -
Parrot bites fireman
An inquisitive parrot that got stuck up the chimney of its new home bit a firefighter on the hand as he reached up to free it.
The Black-mask Conure made its way up the living room flue after finding a gap where the front cover of a new gas fire was to be fitted.
The bird's owner Cheryl Garratt, of Primrose Avenue, Upper Hill, Tipton, rang West Midlands Fire Service to say that the animal had got out of its cage and into the chimney.
After taking the gas fire apart, firefighters used a torch and mirror to locate the parrot, which was trapped about three feet above the opening, and reached up to get it out.
Sub officer Jim Dale, from Tipton fire station, said the distressed bird then bit the rescuing officer on the hand.
He said: "I have had 28 years in the fire service and this is just one of the things we get called to deal with.
"We rise to the challenge because we are here to serve the public."
The officer did not need treatment for his injuries.
Wednesday, 27 November, 2002, 11:39 GMT
Parrot gives parishioners the bird
African grey parrot
African grey parrots are often kept as family pets
A foul-mouthed parrot is ruffling a few feathers after setting up home in a West Yorkshire churchyard.
The vicar has received complaints from people who have become targets for verbal abuse from the exotic bird.
The mischievous African grey parrot called Charlie has been living with a flock of pigeons in the bell-tower at St Mary's Church in Mirfield.
Three-year-old Charlie regularly turns the air blue by swearing and wolf-whistling at passers-by.
He seems quite happy at the church said Stuart Wooller, church warden
But despite several attempts to catch the parrot he remains free as a bird.
Owner Zarina France, 34, of Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, said even Charlie's favourite monkey nuts had not been enough to entice him back to captivity.
"Charlie can be very abusive and says all sorts of filthy things that I don't want to repeat.
"He probably picked it all up from me and when I heard about a swearing parrot I knew it was our Charlie."
Voice from above
Church warden Stuart Wooller said Charlie had become a local celebrity since escaping from his owners during the summer.
"I have spoken to Charlie several times and he seems quite happy at the church.
"I know that he wolf-whistles but I haven't heard him swear at me probably out of respect because I am the warden."
Local pub landlord Tim Wood said he was shocked after hearing a mysterious voice from above as he walked his dogs.
"I couldn't believe it when I first heard the parrot.
"I thought I must have really upset someone because of the language that was being used.
- - - Updated - - -
Parrot bites fireman
An inquisitive parrot that got stuck up the chimney of its new home bit a firefighter on the hand as he reached up to free it.
The Black-mask Conure made its way up the living room flue after finding a gap where the front cover of a new gas fire was to be fitted.
The bird's owner Cheryl Garratt, of Primrose Avenue, Upper Hill, Tipton, rang West Midlands Fire Service to say that the animal had got out of its cage and into the chimney.
After taking the gas fire apart, firefighters used a torch and mirror to locate the parrot, which was trapped about three feet above the opening, and reached up to get it out.
Sub officer Jim Dale, from Tipton fire station, said the distressed bird then bit the rescuing officer on the hand.
He said: "I have had 28 years in the fire service and this is just one of the things we get called to deal with.
"We rise to the challenge because we are here to serve the public."
The officer did not need treatment for his injuries.