Birds set to ruffle feathers in Hollywood

A Northern Ireland pet shop owner has her sights set on Hollywood . . . and the Pirates of the Carribean.



The parrots are great at talking
Film maker Disney is searching for a talking parrot to help promote the next films in the Pirates series.
And Anne Moneypenney believes one of her birds could become a feathered film star.
Anne owns the Companions pet store in Armagh and her private collection of birds are firm favourites with customers.
The best talkers include Sam, an African Grey, who likes to perch on Anne's shoulder.

"Sam can be very chatty," she said. "He says things like: 'Give me a kiss. Where are you going? Put your coat on.'


Anne is very proud of her feathered friends
"They can be taught to talk but I haven't been teaching them. They just pick up words and phrases from conversations in the shop."
Bepe, a Blue-fronted Amazonian parrot, is showing musical talent.



"I'd been singing 'I Just Called to Say I Love You' in the shop," said Anne. "And Bepe joined in. I was astonished."
Other birds in the collection include Jimmy, the white Cockatoo and Harvey, a blue and gold Macaw.
Anne said bad language could be a problem.

"Some people think it's funny to use rude words and the birds can pick them up," she said.

"So we put up a notice saying: 'We wouldn't swear in your home. Please don't swear in our shop.' And it worked."
Now Anne is keen to contact Disney to ask for an audition.
"It would be fantastic to get the chance to show off my birds - especially if it meant a trip to meet Johnny Depp."
Disney wants a parrot for the launch of the DVD of the second swashbuckling adventure, Pirates of the Carribean: The Dead Man's Chest.
The lucky bird will then be flown to Dominica to join co-stars Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley to shoot the final film At World's End.