More Mail

I've got more mail!

Dear Shadow,
I've heard that parrots are very smart. Is that true? How smart are you?
Smarty Pants.

Dear SP,
Of course it's true! We parrots are very smart. I have learned many things in my years living with people. I have leaned where my food is kept and when it's time for bed and I know all my person's routines and I always know what she wants me to do, though I don't always do it. Parrots can learn to do tricks and to understand many things. I have a very high PQ (Parrot Quotient). How about you, Smarty Pants? Do you want to find out if you are as smart as a parrot? You can take the Parrot Quotient quiz here. Let me know how you do.
Shadow

I’ve Got Mail!

I often get asked questions about being a parrot, so today I thought I’d share some of the questions and answers with you.

Dear Shadow,
Why do you squawk so much?
Just Wondering

Dear Just Wondering,
The short answer is: I squawk because I’m a parrot. The long answer is: To communicate my feelings, needs, and desires. For example, I squawk if I see something scary looking, to let the rest of the flock know that danger is near. I squawk when I am happy because my person has come home or has put a seed treat in my dish. I squawk when I am angry. That’s usually when I am shut inside my cage and want to get out. These are just some of the reasons, but you can see how important squawking is to a parrot. It’s a very useful skill to have.

Dear Shadow,
You seem very youthful.
How old are you, anyway?
Curious

Dear Curious,
I was born in April of 1997, so I am almost 12 years old. That’s middle aged for a parrot of my species, but I have a very youthful spirit.

That’s all the mail I‘ll share for today. There will be more soon, so check back. If you have any questions for me, leave a comment or e mail me: parrot97 at earthlink dot net.