Meet the world's first spokesbird

Updated on: 02 February,2010 11:41 AM IST |
Agencies |

New Zealand PM names parrot, who became famous for trying to mate with TV presenter, as conservation ambassador

New Zealand PM names parrot, who became famous for trying to mate with TV presenter, as conservation ambassador

Auckland: A fat, flightless parrot who shot to fame after attempting to have sex with a TV presenter's head has been appointed a spokesbird by the New Zealand government. Sirocco, the kakapo, achieved international fame after he was filmed trying to mate with zoologist Mark Carwadine's head on the BBC show Last Chance To See -- much to the amusement of Carwadine's co-presenter Stephen Fry, who said, "This is one of the funniest things I have ever seen, you are being shagged by a rare parrot."

Green brigade: New Zealand PM John Key feels Sirocco's celebrity status makes him ideal for the role

Sirocco, one of just 124 kakapo still alive, has now been named a conservation ambassador by New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key, who said that the bird's celebrity status made him ideal for the role, "He's very media-savvy, he's got a world-wide fan base -- they hang on every squawk that comes out of his beak."

Sirocco's job will be to draw attention to the wildlife of New Zealand, and the conservation efforts attempting to preserve it.
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Sirocco now has his own website and, naturally, a Twitter stream.

1.6million

The number of views the clip of the the head-shagging kakapo has gained on YouTube

To know more about Siroccco log on to www.spokesbird.com

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