Known for their vibrant feathers, playful personalities and uncanny ability to mimic human speech, parrots have long captivated the world. These intelligent birds are talented talkers and have impressive problem-solving skills. The video, shot in Foshan, China, shows a young boy holding a parrot. As the boy opens his mouth, he brings the parrot closer, allowing the bird to grab onto a loose tooth. With a quick and precise movement, the parrot expertly pulls out the tooth, stunning the internet. The bird then drops the extracted tooth into the hand of someone nearby, completing its remarkable task.
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Watch the video here:
Can a parrot be a dentist? On May 5, a boy in China's Zhejiang province had his baby tooth pulled out by his parrot in just one second! #pets #pleasure pic.twitter.com/SaVlYhHUuP
— Discover GuangZhou (@Discover_GZ) May 7, 2024
This is not entirely unprecedented. In the wild, birds such as the Egyptian Plover have a symbiotic relationship with crocodiles, brushing their teeth in exchange for food. These small birds enter the mouths of crocodiles and remove food particles and leeches stuck between their teeth. This cleans the crocodiles' teeth, prevents infections and provides a food source for the plovers.
The crocodile, in turn, benefits from having its teeth cleaned, reducing the risk of infection and promoting better oral health.
Although parrots can display impressive skills, an important safety issue should not be overlooked. Experts at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital warn that human saliva contains pathogens that can be harmful and possibly poisonous to birds. Therefore, it is highly recommended to avoid birds placing their beaks near the human mouth or nose.