Birds, contrary to the popular insult we dish out, can be some of the smartest mammals around. Which can give rise to some rather peculiar behavior. See if you can guess which of these parrot tales is true, and which are tall tales of my own invention:

A) Especially large parrot flies off with newborn baby.

B) Potty-mouthed parrots at the zoo re-housed for telling visitors to “f*ck off.”

C) Parrot teaches himself to beg for money from tourists, then uses it to buy snacks from a nearby food vendor.

While you’re contemplating the correct answer, chew over this little nugget:
Charles Darrow often gets credit for inventing the classic American board game Monopoly, since he’s the one who sold it to Parker Brothers in the 1930s. But the concept was actually created by Elizabeth Magie, who decades earlier received a patent for what she called ‘The Landlord’s Game,’ where players paid rent, purchased railroads, and sometimes ended up in jail. Ironically, she created the game to portray the evils of capitalism with its goal of accumulating wealth while bankrupting others. The game is now used to extol young minds in the virtues of capitalist pursuits, a complete 180 degree turn from its original intent.

Answer:
In 2020, at a British zoo, keepers were forced to separate 5 potty-mouthed parrots–Billy, Eric, Elsie, Jade and Tyson–who had developed an affinity for swearing at visitors. The gang had developed a habit of using vulgar cusswords while talking to visitors, turning their exhibit into an R-rated raunch comedy.

“We are quite used to parrots swearing,” says zoo official Steve Nichols, “but for some reason these five relish it.” Though the foul language often amused adults, parents complained when their children were exposed to parrots with such a potty mouth. The birds were moved to different locations in the hope that a change of scenery and different peers might prompt them to talk more politely.

References:
1. The Week, 10-16-2022, p. 12
2. Emily Goodman, “Boredom-busting facts about board games,” Readers Digest, Dec. 2021, p 24