Tiki and Oscar's Two Cents

Greetings. My name is Tiki; but I prefer "Sir". My humans named me Tiki because it seemed like a fine name for either a male or a female bird. When we Cockatiels are babies it is very difficult to tell whether we are little boy birdies or girl birdies. Let me just say that if it turns out that I am a male, I will be highly insulted if my humans don't change my name to something more masculine like "Spike" or "Jack"!

Everyone raves about my superior intelligence! Although I don't talk (which, by the way, IS NOT a measure of intelligence), I am very proficient at whistling. Alan, Michael, and Kira are the only ones in the family that can whistle besides me....pathetic....so, I get all my fancy whistles from them.

Wolf Whistle
Missle Whistle
(with or without an explosion. It depends on my mood.)
Sailor Whistle
Whistle While You Work
(I try to get it all; but sometimes I just get so confused!)
"Hey You" Whistle
(This is how I call the dog even though she's not with us anymore.)
Infantry "Call to Charge" Whistle
Smoke Alarm Whistle
(This one really bothers my family! My alarm is louder than the real one!)
Andy Griffith Theme

My babysitter named Grandpa thinks that examples of my superb whistles should be available for you to hear; but I never perform when I'm expected to...only on my own terms.

---

I also just love to provide accompaniment for commercials, video games, CD's and piano practice! One of my humans, Elyse, is a super piano player. She plays just for me! The two of us are a good team; my cage is right next to the piano so we can make beautiful music together!

Ok, ok...I'm here, I'm making my mark. I hope my family is happy! I just know that if I don't cooperate I won't get anymore Cheez-its or peaches. I am Oscar. I am a green Senegal parrot and I'll admit I'm not very neat, alright, I'm downright sloppy. I also tend to be a wee bit moody at times. What is it with humans and the ridiculous names they choose for their pets? They thought it was just so funny to name me Oscar because I'm green, sloppy, and grouchy...get it? I'm not laughing! I don't talk like my family wanted, I don't do any special whistles; but I do have a very special talent. I am an acrobat! I love to swing in my cage; I even pump so I can keep going. I twirl around on my perch and hang upside-down by one claw, I hang from my beak from the top of my cage, and, most importantly, I can pick the lock on my door! Oh, one more thing, I can't stand Tiki! He thinks that just because he was here before me that makes him the automatic favorite...NOT!