School parrot celebrates 70th birthday with cake and extra nuts

Normally as parrots only live to the age of around 50 years old, Sim a school parrot a pet at the Rouge Bouillon School in St Helier, Jersey celebrated his 70th birthday on November 5. Sim has been a pet at the Rouge Bouillon School since 1988 and has had a very colourful history. In 1991 Sim survived a roof fire that destroyed part of the building where he lived. Later he was rehomed at the school after living in Briggs toy shop that had to close

The pupils at the school help with his daily care, including feeding him and cleaning out his cage. They also helped celebrate his 70th birthday with parrot-themed decorations for his cage and a cake that was edible to both Sim and the children who look after him.

READ | Thailand: Bird Singing Competition Attracts Thousands Of Participants

Expressing their joy a year five pupil said, "We love looking after Sim and cleaning his cage out even though sometimes he makes it very dirty.’ A year six child said: ‘It’s very impressive that he can talk. He says “hello” to us and we love it.’ 

The Deputy headteacher of the school Jess Doyle said that generations of their students will remember Sim fondly, and he is a wonderful presence to have in the school. "We have many new students who are nervous about starting school, and other students who might be new to Jersey too. When they see Sim their faces light up and talking to him helps them to relax and settle into life at school. When we have new children arrive at the school who may not speak English, we take them to go see him and he makes them feel very welcome," she added.

READ | One Of World's Oldest Bird Species Discovered In New Zealand

Another Incident

Earlier, a video of a Lyrebird, known for its ability to accurately mimic the sounds from their surroundings, is making rounds on the internet. Lyrebird is endemic to Australia and is mostly found in rainforest areas in Victoria, New South Wales, and south-east Queensland. It can be seen mimicking the sounds of other birds as well as man-made noises. The lyrebird, in the video, is sitting on a railing of the Adelaide zoo mimicking different sounds of other birds, camera shutters and car alarms.

READ | Flailing Purple Bird 'Trash Doves' Becomes A Cautionary Tale For Fame

READ | Australia: Lyrebird Mimics Various Sounds, Netizens Impressed