The Lincolnshire Wildlife Park accepted five African grey parrots in early 2020 and intended to merge them with the existing flock, except one of the parrots swore extensively, and then the other newly adopted four parrots learned how to swear and apparently found great joy in it.
These five parrots were then separated and kept from public view lest their foul language be heard by the many children who visit the park regularly.
Even though these five parrots were separated, three additional birds also learned how to swear and also love it.
Officials hope to rehabilitate the eight foul-mouthed parrots by integrating them into a large flock, hoping they will be drowned out by the larger population and conform to cultural expectations.
I have four thoughts about this situation:
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I suspect that my wife, a kindergarten teacher, would say, “This sounds exactly like kindergarten,” wherein one student’s naughty behavior can spread like wildfire throughout the population.
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I’m not especially keen on swearing and try to avoid it onstage as much as possible (to be as accessible to as many people as possible) and also in my classroom (to remain as employed as possible). My kids despise swearing, too, and we have a swear jar – installed by the kids – for every time I swear. I’ve never heard either of my kids swear, and Elysha rarely swears, too.
Nevertheless, I love these foul-mouthed birds so much.
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We’re all pretty stupid when it comes to the power we give to certain words. Most swear words pertain to the parts and processes covered by our underwear, which makes us all immature toddlers who find it too offensive to mention these biological bits and processes in public, which is asinine, prudish, and illogical.
Though I don’t swear often, I probably should be swearing a lot more often in protest of the ridiculous power we give to these words.
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As troublesome as I know it would be, I can’t help but hope that the whole flock of parrots eventually starts speaking like drunken, foul-mouthed pirates.
