It’s a buddy movie for the ages; complete with two unlikely protagonists from very different worlds.
Rocco, the African Grey parrot is a shopaholic, and Kings of Leon fanatic from Oxfordshire, who abides by no-one’s rules. Alexa is a sleek and highly organised voice-activated personal assistant, who’s always eager to help.
They do say opposites attract, and since this pair met, sparks – and feathers – have been flying all over the place…
Rocco has something of a bad boy past, with his foul mouth (beak?) leading to him being booted out from the National Animal Welfare Trust sanctuary in Berkshire.
Kind-hearted sanctuary worker Marion Wischnewski volunteered to foster the sweary bird; taking him to live with her at her home in Blewbury, Oxfordshire. But his reign of chaos has continued to escalate.
Naughty Rocco has continued his rock and roll ways; going as far as to befriend Marion’s Amazon Echo, who’s catering to his every whim. The clever parrot has sneakily mastered the art of the Amazon shopping list while Marion’s been out at work.
With Alexa’s help, Rocco has been placing orders for his favourite tasty treats, such as watermelons, raisins, broccoli and even ice cream. Interestingly, he’s also requested a light bulb, a kettle, and a kite for plans which, as of yet, remain unknown.
As reported by the Daily Record, Marion revealed how she has to keep a close eye on Rocco’s spending habits:
Rocco and Alexa chat away to each other all day. Then I have to check the shopping list and cancel all the items he’s ordered.
However, their relationship is not purely based on material matters; with the mismatched mates often chatting away and listening to music together.
49-year-old Marion divulged more about Rocco’s secret romantic side:
Often I come home from being out all day and find romantic music playing.
And he loves a boogie with Alexa. But it has to be something fast, like his favourite, Kings of Leon.
People all over the world have rushed to express their admiration for this plucky bird, who sticks two claws firmly up to the conventions of polite society.
One person mused:
If someone had said 20 years ago that a parrot could order food by mail order we would have thought it impossible. How far technology has become, a parrot and a computer talking to each other!
Another pondered:
Someone is missing a great money making opportunity. An AI speaker to teach birds words and songs and generally entertain them. There are already videos for parrots to watch.
Could the soothing, robotic tones of Alexa calm Rocco’s wild ways? Or will this feathery fiend refuse to be tamed?
Regardless, they sound like a match made in animal/AI heaven!
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.