Foul-mouthed parrot gets shore leave

A Royal Navy parrot with a reputation for foul language has been ordered ashore. But it was not Sunny's swearing that led to her being taken off the British frigate, Lancaster, it was because she had plucked out her feathers and was looking withdrawn.

Sunny, a 6-year-old African grey, has a habit of squawking "arse" and "bollocks" at inappropriate moments. During a visit in 2001 by the First Sea Lord, Sunny was banished to a cupboard but could still be heard squawking expletives. Her favourite phrases are "Zulus, thousands of 'em" and "You ain't seen nothing, right?"

Sunny is recuperating with the family of Lieutenant Mari Duffy, one of the ship's officers, and her feathers are growing again.