Stray parrot talks his way home

2008-05-21 13:35

Tokyo - A stray parrot was reunited with its owner in Japan after repeating his name and address at the local veterinary clinic that took it in, police said on Wednesday.

Police captured the red-tailed African Grey parrot earlier this month after a woman called to say it was sitting on a fence in her backyard outside Tokyo, a Chiba police official said.

Police then handed the parrot over to a local animal clinic to take care of it.

In the beginning the parrot kept greeting people or singing popular children's songs, the officer said.

"Only 10 days after it was found did it start repeating a name and a street address," he added.

Police then matched the name with its owner, who was reunited with his parrot earlier this week.

"I'm glad I had taught him my address and name," the Yomiuri daily quoted him as saying.

The African Grey parrot is considered one of the most intelligent birds. Experts say it has the cognitive ability of a six-year-old.

- AFP