I found the annoying gift on the Internet. I'm having second thoughts about giving DD#2 the receipt. I think The Six Year Old (tomorrow) is going to LOVE it. We are having the family cake and ice cream thing tomorrow evening. I can't wait to see his face when he opens it. I just hope I can get Squawkers to shut the f*** up until the wrappings are off. I looked for an off switch but I couldn't find one and I don't want to remove him from the box for a more detailed search. I can see it now: I walk in the door and as I hand the gift to the birthday boy the stupid bird squawks, "Hello!" from inside. He's actually growing on me. (The bird not the boy. I already love the kid.) I wonder if the store has the Calico kitten.....

A new interactive toy parrot is coming to stores, which goes by the name of Squawkers McCaw. Following the path that the infamous Furby has set for interactive pets, Squawkers McCaw also repeats, talks, and dances. In addition to these qualities, Squawkers also responds to touch and make “sassy” sounds. This product is brought to you by Hasbro which has also brought other interactive pets to you such as “Furreal Friends Butterscotch Pony”.

However, unlike the interactive pets that have come before him, Squawkers steps up the technology with new features such as voice recognition and other programmable features. Another advance in technology include the remote that comes with Squawkers McCaw that provides shortcut buttons to activate several play modes and also to initiate the pre-programmed voice commands.

As many of our furry interactive friends love to do, Squawkers also dances. Squawkers McCaw will dance to any music that is played, or even dance to his own pre-programmed song, given that this playful parrot is in dance mode.

Although many of these parrots will be sold, each one is unique. The Squawkers McCaw will entertain all types of children because each child can program the parrot to say what they say and recognize who they are.

This toy is appropriate for all children ages 4 and up and is scheduled to be released in Fall 2007. This toy is great for young children or any only children looking for a low maintenance friend and is estimated to be priced around $69.99.

Can you believe that this is for ages five and up? I think I'd have a tough time figuring out how it works!