Swearing parrot takes to singing

Last month, the swearing parrots of Lincolnshire Wildlife Park were in the news again after the park announced a plan to integrate them with the other parrots.  To quote from a BBC report:

Chief executive Steve Nichols said he was about to introduce them to the rest of the flock to “dilute” the swearing.

It is hoped they will also copy more appropriate vocabulary and noises from the remainder of the flock, he said.

Mr Nichols said: “Parrots are flock creatures. They need to be with other parrots. The bigger the flock, the happier they are.

“Even though they swear, the welfare of the birds has to come first.”

However, he admitted: “We could end up with 100 swearing parrots on our hands. Only time will tell.”

A new report this week said that the strategy was working.

Mr Nichols said: “It’s early days still but it’s been a good start. We haven’t heard any of the really crude language.

“Of course people are still walking up to the enclosure and swearing in front of the parrots, hoping they will copy the words.”

Notably, the report mentioned another development.

Mr Nichols said while the parrots may have dropped their swearing, a new problem appears to be brewing.

“One of them has taken to singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas over and over again,” he said. “Fine in December, not so fine in February.”