Potty-mouthed parrot needs new home

Monty the macaw eats a strawberry Thursday at the Edmonton Humane Society. (CBC)

The Edmonton Humane Society is trying to find a home for an unusual pet — Monty, a middle-aged parrot that has a bit of a salty tongue.

"We have heard that he does have quite the vocabulary and that it is quite flowery," Edmonton Humane Society spokeswoman Shawna Randolph said.

Members of an exotic bird rescue group told Humane Society staff about Monty's potty-mouthed tendencies but he has yet to utter any obscenities while he awaits adoption.

"We have heard him say, 'old bird', 'hello.' He mimics the sound of a burp," Randolph said.

Monty, a blue/gold macaw, was given up by aging owners who could no longer care for him. The Humane Society wants to find him a new home but they just won't give him to anyone.

The 45-year-old parrot is very set in his ways, Randolph said. He doesn't like to be around children and is very picky about who handles him.

His new owner must be someone who has extensive experience owning a parrot and understands that it is a life-long commitment.

That's why the Humane Society hasn't yet placed Monty, even though they have received about a dozen calls over the past two days.

"We want to make sure that someone isn't just getting caught up in the novelty of it: 'Oh this bird. He's pretty cool. He even says some pretty funny things,'" Randolph said.

"No. We want to make sure he goes into the right home."