Parrot uses owner's Alexa to order ice cream, raisins

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A British parrot with a fondness for Amazon's Alexa has been trying to use the virtual assistant to order treats and toys, his owner said.

Marion Wischnewski, who works at the National Animal Welfare Trust sanctuary in Berkshire, said she brought Rocco to live in her home in Oxfordshire when officials became concerned about the bird's use of profanity in front of visitors.

She said Rocco quickly started talking to her Amazon Alexa-enabled smart device, using its capabilities to tell jokes and play songs.

Wischnewski said she quickly discovered Rocco had also figured out he could use Alexa to order some of his favorite items, including watermelons, raisins, broccoli and ice cream.

The owner, who said she has started going over her Alexa logs each day to cancel Rocco's purchases, said the bird also tried to buy a kite and a light bulb.