ANIMAL EXPERT TRAVELS 7400 MILES TO TRAIN A RARE PARROT

Animal Trainer Barbara Heidenreich Helps Frisky Internet Star Sirocco the Kakapo Learn to be a Well Behaved Bird Ambassador Austin, Nov 30, 2011 - Sirocco is one of 129 Kakapo left in the world. This large, flightless, nocturnal species of parrot is famous for unusual behavior. During breeding season the males plant themselves in small depressions in the ground called “bowls”. They puff up with air and emit a resonant boom for up to eight hours a night. The boom attracts a female who is eagerly pounced upon by the hormonally charged male Kakapo. Sirocco, having been hand raised