Pet parrot saves owner from sex attack

NOW that’s a wingman! A parrot has come to the rescue of its owner by bravely fighting off an attacker and making him take flight.

African Greys, dubbed the ‘Einstein’ of the parrot world, can speak words, associate word

WHEN Rachel Mancino was attacked in the park by a suspected sexual predator, it was the unlikeliest of heroes who came to her rescue.

Rather than a brave passer-by wrestling her assailant to the ground, it was Wunsy, her faithful African Grey parrot, who scared him off.

Wunsy was sitting on Miss Mancino’s shoulder on their daily walk, when the 25-year-old was grabbed around the neck and pushed to the ground in what police believe was an attempted sexual assault.

But faithful Wunsy immediately swooped on the man, slapping him in the face with her wings, while squawking angrily — quite an impressive reaction for a small bird weighing just 12oz.

The attacker, who had groped another woman just minutes earlier, ran away terrified — but not before looking over his shoulder to check Wunsy wasn’t in pursuit.

Yesterday, part-time violin teacher Miss Mancino paid tribute to her 10-month-old pet as police appealed for information about her attacker, who is suspected of at least one other indecent assault Sunny Hill Park in Hendon, north London.

Miss Mancino had gone on a walk to give Wunsy some exercise, letting her fly about while attached to her wrist with a cord.

She said: “I saw a man in my peripheral vision walking fast behind me. I didn’t think anything of it, but Wunsy changed direction on my shoulder to face him.

“I said, ‘Its OK Wunsy, don’t worry’, but then the man jumped on me, grabbed me around the neck and started pushing me down.

“I thought instinctively that he was trying to steal my parrot but then I realised he was targeting me.

“I lost my balance and Wunsy started flapping at him. Her wings were right in his face and she was squawking. He just ran off.”

Miss Mancino, who also has a parakeet and a dog, bought Wunsy eight months ago for £650 (A$1,160).

— The Daily Mail

African Greys, dubbed the ‘Einstein’ of the parrot world, can speak words, associate words with meanings, and have a grasp of shape, colour and number.

Although Wunsy is under the age of one and too young to have learnt any words, Miss Mancino believes her intelligent pet sensed the danger.

“She turned completely around to face the man which she never does. Animals can sense something,” she said.

“This man had assaulted someone else minutes before me. It’s scary what could have happened. He could have raped or killed me if Wunsy wasn’t there.

“I dread to think what will happen if he isn’t caught.”

Wunsy was rewarded for her heroics with a delicious meal of fruit, vegetables and pine nuts.