Parrot that plays golf, basketball takes YouTube by storm

London, Mar 18 (ANI): A "sporty" parrot, who plays golf and basketball, has become a big rage on the online video-sharing website YouTube.The bird named AJ can be seen putting a golf ball, slam dunking a basketball, and performing gymnastic routines in a video clip.The site has received thousands of hits from fans logging on YouTube to see the one minute 14 second clip showing the sporting all-rounder demonstrate its prowess at multiple games.The video also shows the green and yellow parrot's personal trainer offering encouragement from the sidelines with comments such as "good bird" and "good job".

The Indian Ringneck Parakeet starts its 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 plays golf by holding a club in its beak, and swinging at a ball.

He even displays his talent by taking a miniature yellow basketball in its beak, and climbing a ladder onto a table with court markings and a basketball net and backboard at one end, to "put the ball in the basket" on his trainer's command.

AJ's owner is Dave Cota, of Florida, USA, a 40-year-old entrepreneur, who has worked in the sports industry.

"It seems that he can play anything I show him," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

He added: "I have had him since he was very young and he just loves to play sports. I have had no trouble training him at all - he is very special." (ANI)