Hype
Remember when we told you about the Furreal Friends family a while back? This week the latest edition flew in through the window – it’s the all talking all dancing parrot. Hasbro tells us Squawkers Macaw can repeat words, be “taught” to speak, respond to touch, make cheeky sounds and even dance, just like a real parrot.
Toyologist Test – 2 hour Trial
Well shiver me timbers, it actually does sound and act like a real parrot – that is apart from the breaking wind, demented laughter and of course the fact you can control it with a remote. Once you have removed the Mensa challenge that is the sellotape and wire fastenings from the box and assembled its perch (which doesn’t take very long), you are free to dabble with your new furry friend at will. Involves anything from making it dance to music or its own version of Arrow’s “Hot, Hot, Hot”, training it to obey your command and say certain words phrases and sound effects to making your plush friend coo kiss and flutter his wings and not forgetting to feed Polly his plastic cracker.
Verdict
The Squawkers Macaw Parrot is great for all ages. It is however your year that will determine your tolerance to this product. The range of features will be too much for kids to grasp, so adult supervision is definitely recommended, although we’re certain children would be entertained for hours with just the 45 words phrases and sound effects already installed. It’s the kind of toy you buy for your kids which you then sneak to the office to show your colleagues to get a few laughs, only to give it back when the novelty has worn off or you were close to shoving that cracker down Polly’s throat to shut it up!
Overall the Squawkers Macaw Parrot earns a silver badge from us at the Toyolgy Towers. It’s got a high entertainment level and has enough features to prevent boredom, however it misses out on making it to gold due to the complexity of its features and the tendency to annoy if left on for too long.
