Police in New York state said a woman who became stuck up to her waist in mud while chasing her pet cockatoo managed to dig herself out. New York State Police said the 55-year-old Cortlandt woman chased her pet bird when it flew from her home and headed toward the woods just after 1 p.m.

A former firefighter in Maryland rendered mute by a car accident says a pair of talkative pet parrots helped him regain his speech. Brian Wilson of Damascus, Md., gives credit to the birds for their determination to keep talking to him, eventually prompting his damaged brain to respond in kind.

Snowball the cockatoo can't get enough of the Backstreet Boys.

An online video of pet cockatoo dancing to a Backstreet Boys song has a northwestern Indiana couple dealing with some worldwide attention. Irena and Chuck Schulz have more than 30 birds in their home, but the cockatoo, Snowball, is the star.

An online video of pet cockatoo dancing to a Backstreet Boys song has a northwestern Indiana couple dealing with some worldwide attention. Irena and Chuck Schulz have more than 30 birds in their home, but the cockatoo, Snowball, is the star.