Alexa: Send more nuts and raisins... says Rocco the parrot
HE’S always ready to swoop for a bargain – and swears by early bird offers.
Rocco the parrot, who was rehomed from a sanctuary after cursing too much, has been accidentally placing orders on Amazon by chatting to voice-activated personal assistant Alexa.
So far the African Grey has ‘bought’ a range of fruit and veg – including water melons, raisins and broccoli – ice cream, a light bulb and even a kite.
Rocco was rehomed from the National Animal Welfare Trust sanctuary in Berkshire because staff feared his use of swear words would upset visitors.
Sanctuary worker Marion Wischnewski volunteered to foster him and took him to her home in Blewbury, Oxfordshire.
But he has since been using her Amazon Echo to order all the things he likes to eat.
The African Grey – a breed renowned for its ability to copy words – added shopping to a virtual supermarket list by speaking to the device.
Miss Wischnewski said: ‘I have to check the shopping list when I come in from work and cancel all the items he has ordered.’
Alexa talks back to the parrot and plays music, with songs by US rockers Kings of Leon the bird’s favourite.
Miss Wischnewski said of Alexa and Rocco’s relationship: ‘They chat away to each other all day. Often I come in and there’s music playing.’