Polly, Want A Story?

Saturday, February 21, 2009
A third-grade teacher in Los Gatos, California says that her students have benefited from reading to a parrot, according to a story in the San Jose Mercury-News.
Third-grade teacher Judy Quigley said her students' learning experiences have actually been enhanced quite dramatically by reading to Starbuck, a 7-year-old Timneh African Grey parrot.

During the exercise, students take a seat next to Starbuck, who generally rests atop a classroom chair or bird perch. The children read a variety of different illustrated stories aloud to the bird, holding the book open to him.
Yeah, OK. But can the parrot live up to its name and whip up a non-fat, no-foam soy latte?