I'm thinking about getting a pet bird. My sister has fish. And turtles. And a rabbit. And the family has a dog. I just figure, "Hell. I want a bird."
I used to have a parakeet. And she was cool. Very nice, never bit, always jumped on your finger, very cool in general. But now it's dead. And been gone for almost ten years. And I want another bird.
I was thinking about an African Grey. Regarded as the smartest parrot alive. With the intelligence/vocabulary of a five year old child and the emotional equivelant of a two year old (which means tantrums here and there, but generally easy to train and if you're nice and calm with it, it's nice and calm with you.)
I saw a clip of "alex" (the most famous african grey) which resides at some institute where they are testing the intelligence. It's proven that these particular parrots don't 'just mimic', but actually think and process thoughts prior to talking. If you look up "alex african grey" in google, you're bound to find a short clip taken from the discovery channel.
It can tell colors and shapes and sizes. And it even has the capability to ask for what it wants (it's so cute! In the clip Alex is sitting there and says, "Tickle. Tickle." cause he wants his head scratched. And asks for water cause it was thirsty.)
But at $1000+, I couldn't do it. Not to meniton these birds live fifty years or more so that's a time commitment I don't know if I can handle yet (seeing as I don't know what my fulltime job will be).
But I might get a parakeet at the end of the summer. And then I'll dress up like a pirate. And I'll go "AARRRRR!" and my parakeet will say, "WALK THE PLANK!! WALK THE PLANK!!!"
Then that "L" on my forehead will increase in size and really jump out at the women.
Alexi