Golf and Basketball playing Parrot
The bird, called AJ, can be seen putting a golf ball, slam dunking a basketball and performing gymnastic routines. Thousands of fans have watched the sporting all-rounder de…
The bird, called AJ, can be seen putting a golf ball, slam dunking a basketball and performing gymnastic routines.Thousands of fans have watched the sporting all-rounder demonstrate his prowess in a one minute 14 second clip on video sharing website YouTube.
And the bird psyches himself up for the challenge by repeating: "Put the ball in the basket. Put the ball in the basket."
The Indian Ringneck Parakeet starts his gymnastic routine by playing dead and jumping to his feet as a man out of view of the camera says: "get up".
The 18-year-old parrot rolls over sideways and climbs onto his trainer's finger, which he uses as a high bar to perform more remarkable stunts.
As the trainer says "do a flip" and "turn around" the obedient parrot rolls over the finger using his feet to grip. He then balances and turns on the spot.
He finishes the routine by offering a claw to shake hands.
The parrot leaves the gymnasium and heads to a miniature golf course where he holds a club in his beak and swings at a ball.
The ball rolls smoothly across the green, avoiding the bunkers, and falls into the hole - possibly for a birdie.
AJ picks the ball out of the hole and hands it to his trainer.
He then plays the ball again to demonstrate his previous effort was not a fluke.
Taking a miniature yellow basketball in his beak, the parrot climbs a ladder onto a table with court markings and a basketball net and backboard at one end.
He repeats his trainer's command to "put the ball in the basket" and slams the ball through the hoop for two points.
Owner Dave Cota, of Florida, USA, a 40-year-old, an entrepreneur who has worked in the sports industry, said: "It seems that he can play anything I show him.
"I have had him since he was very young and he just loves to play sports. I have had no trouble training him at all - he is very special."
AJ even has a custom-built golf course which cost around £2,000.
Dave added: "He also has his own custom-made golf clubs and bag. It cost a lot but it's worth it because he likes doing it so much."
Television wildlife expert Chris Packham explained the parrot species had a natural ability to learn and mimic human behaviour.
He said: "The Parrot's beak and claws, designed to grasp and break open fruit, gives it a dexterity not found in all birds.
"Bring that together with its ability to learn and mimic and you can see why these creatures are so endearing to humans and so popular as pets."
- Watch more videos of the performing parrot at www.MyFriendAJ.com