There I was, living in an old run down caravan in the Daintree rainforest. Working as a hired hand in a kangaroo sanctuary. Spending my days enlarging a clearing in the jungle, and putting up a fence to stop the feral pigs. Feeding the kangaroos in the evenings, and just generally enjoying the beaches of the Cape Tribulation surroundings.

And there it was, a beautiful Sulfur Crested Cockatoo. Living free in the trees surrounding the guesthouse which was a couple of 100 meters from my mouse infested caravan.

Bozo was it's given name. Already infamous with the locals for being the cheeky scavenger cocki, always hanging around to help clear scraps off the tables.

Over the 3 week period I was there, Bozo and I became increasingly attached to one another.. It started with me feeding him pieces of my fruit by hand, which he daringly snatched with hesitant uncertainty. But within 10 days, he had become so accustomed to me, that he climbed all over me and let me hold and pet him.

By the end of 2 weeks, his confidence in me had increased to the point where he would willingly let me pull out both it's wings, and massage thoroughly under it's armpits. Even more so, when I stopped, he would nudge for me to continue as do dogs frequently.

From that point on, Bozo would call out to me from the tree tops, and swoop down and land on my shoulder, and nibble my ear while I worked. Other guests at the guesthouse would see my intimate relationship with Bozo, and try to put their hands out to him, but he wouldn't have any of it, he'd peck at them and even draw blood sometimes, such was the lethalness of his beak.. but with me he was always so loving and gentle, and it near broke my heart the day I had to leave.

Bozo was not the only parrot type bird I befriended in Australia. I also became very friendly with a Gallah parrot named Rosie, but she was already membered to a human family, and more much used to human contact.