Hello fatheads!

Red, an Eastern King parrot, is the latest addition to our menagerie. We inherited him from Lorna (of Freedom Hollow fame) about 18 months ago. She had just  booted her 3rd husband out and had limited time to feed, nurture and rear all her birds and animals. She asked us if we would hand raise a juvenile parrot as she really didn't have the time to spend with the bird. She also said we could split the proceeds if either of us sold him.

We called him Red due to the uncertainty of his sex. Eastern King parrots take some time to determine whether they are male or female. Girls have distinctive green heads; boys' heads turn a vivid scarlet. Red has taken a LONG time to show his true identity. Now his sex is becoming apparent. He is a boy.

He is still a youngster and a mimic. He has picked up some choice sayings, such as "hello fatheads", and "birdle" and "sh*#head". Heaven knows where he picked up such bad language. He always looks surprised when we ask him for a kiss, but sometimes returns one.

I never really thought that smaller birds were intelligent. I have always loved and admired the big birds of prey, but budgies, weiros or parrots? And as far as chooks, ducks and geese go, I have always associated the term "birdbrain" with these not so intellectual feathered giants of the universe.

But Red? The words - cunning, naughty, smart and resourceful - spring to mind. He is rather like a flying Beagle. He chews anything plastic, enjoys a jingling nibble of my earrings, tips photographs on the floor, poohs indiscriminately, wanders under the table and enjoys sitting in the Christmas tree!  He flies in a very lopsided way and always lands either awkwardly or heavily, often in very undignified positions. I have taken to leaving the toilet lid firmly shut so he doesn't fly in and drown himself by mistake!

He currently resides in our laundry, makes an awful mess of his seed, bathes in his water and generally tries to be a nuisance. He will take up residence in our gallery in summer; all the better to abuse our patrons! Until then, he will remain in our house.

Red has fitted into the House that Rocks with gusto. As I'm writing this post, his cage is open and he is sitting on the perch cackling, whistling and chatting. The other animals regard him in different ways. Sascha tolerates him, even when he cleans between her toes. Pip and Ruby just want to eat him. The cat appears to ignore him, but I do not trust her at all. I look forward to joining him in our gallery once he and I become the welcoming committee.

And we will not be selling him.