Funnies

A sporty parrot who plays golf and basketball has become an internet hit.

The parrot, called AJ, can be seen putting a golf ball, slam dunking a basketball and performing gymnastic routines.

Thousands of fans have watched the sporting all-rounder demonstrate his prowess in a series of clips on video sharing website YouTube.

The green and yellow parrot’s personal trainer offers encouragement from the sidelines with comments such as “good bird” and “good job.”

And the bird psyches himself up for the challenge by repeating: “Put the ball in the basket. Put the ball in the basket.”

The Indian Ringneck Parakeet starts his gymnastic routine by playing dead and jumping to his feet as a man out of view of the camera says: “get up”.

The 18 year old parrot rolls over sideways and climbs onto his trainer’s finger, which he uses as a high bar to perform more remarkable stunts.

As the trainer says “do a flip” and “turn around” the obedient parrot rolls over the finger using his feet to grip. He then balances and turns on the spot.

AJ certainly loves golf. I would say that is his favourite sport and he even watches it on television

He finishes the routine by offering a claw to shake hands.

The parrot leaves the gymnasium and heads to a miniature golf course where he holds a club in his beak and swings at a ball.

The ball rolls smoothly across the green, avoiding the bunkers, and falls into the hole – possibly for a birdie.

Eager AJ picks the ball out of the hole and hands it to his trainer.

He then plays the ball again to demonstrate his previous effort was not a fluke.

Taking a miniature yellow basketball in his beak, the parrot climbs a ladder onto a table with court markings and a basketball net and backboard at one end.

He repeats his trainer’s command to “put the ball in the basket” and slams the ball through the hoop for two points.

The video finishes with AJ looking at the camera with a sense of pride at what he has achieved.

Owner Dave Cota, of Florida, USA, said he believed AJ was the most sporty bird in the world. The 40 year old, an entrepreneur who has worked in the sports industry, said: “It seems that he can play anything I show him.

“I have had him since he was very young and he just loves to play sports.

“I have had no trouble trianing him at all – he is very special.

“He even tells himself to do his own tricks before doing them.

“AJ certainly loves golf. I would say that is his favourite sport and he even watches it on television.”

AJ even has a custom-built golf course which cost around 2,000 pounds.

Dave added: “He also has his own custom-made golf clubs and bag. It cost a lot but it’s worth it because he likes doing it so much.”

One viewer, called davna90, loved the bird’s sporting exploits.