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Wry & Ginger: Birds of a feather flock and talk together Comment By Sid McKeen More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 at 9:28 AM By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 at 9:28 AM » Social News A news story out of Idaho the other day reported that two parrots rescued in a house fire were heard by firefighters calling out, “Help!” and “Fire!” That seems unusual, given that those are not exclamations likely heard often in the ordinary home. Still, because I once owned a parrot myself, nothing about their ability to communicate would really surprise me. My pet, Plato by name, was a remarkable Senegal parrot bred abroad and imported with the rest of its flock by a niece, who dabbled in raising the colorful performers back in the late ‘90s. One visit to her shop and I was hooked, and it stayed that way for the next five years. Immediately, I went online and found a handsome home for Plato. The cage was all glass except for a wood cabinet beneath, where I stored food and toys for the newest member of the household. The bird was especially fond of Cheerios, which he ate one at a time like a doughnut, holding it in one claw and nibbling around the edges until it was gone, then rolling his head from side to side to indicate he was ready for another. For months, as I watched Red Sox baseball games on a TV screen just across the room from Plato’s headquarters, he apparently was hard at work absorbing the language of the games’ broadcasters. He picked up a number of phrases that first summer, but by all odds his favorite was “swing-and-a-miss.” He even sounded happier when it was a batter for the other team that struck out, but I may be imagining that part. Most of the games were played at night, and at one point, in order to reduce Plato’s exuberant outbursts, I began saying to him when it got dark outside, “Time to go to bed.” He quickly picked that up, and as soon as the sun was out of sight and the lights went on, he’d crackle his own “Time to go to bed.” Fast forward a year or so. My old girlfriend from college years earlier has come to visit. We are sitting on a sofa next to Plato’s perch. Slowly the sun goes down, then darkness descends. Within minutes, there is a rustle from the cage. Then, “Time to go to bed,” Plato announces, and my guest shoots me a doubting look. “Did you teach him to say that?” she wants to know. Horrified, I explained that he’d been making the same announcement for months, and he picked it up on his own. Anne and I have been married for 13 years now, so the explanation apparently sufficed. Dividing our years as we do between Maine and Florida, it became impractical to bounce Plato and his magical home up and down the Atlantic Seaboard. We found an acquaintance who was happy to take him, and we hope life is still good for him in his new surroundings. She may not be a Sox fan, so he may be watching cooking shows or sitcoms now for all we know. My guess is he still knows when it’s time to hit the sack. He should be good to go for another 50 years or so. It’s not uncommon for parrots to live to the ripe old age of 75, so it’s normal for them to have two or three humans looking out for them over a lifespan. Plato may do even better, given his propensity for getting an early shut-eye every night of the year. And giving up sugary cereal, not to mention having to keep track of all those strikeouts. Best of luck, Plato, old bird, and many happy returns. As for that parrot pair in Idaho, they should get more attention from now on. They clearly know what they’re talking about. Sid McKeen can be reached at [email protected] By Sid McKeen More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Sid McKeen More Content Now Posted Apr. 28, 2015 at 9:28 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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