My cockatoo CATCHES THE TRAM!

Mark's beaky bestie was destined for stardom!

-  Claudia Siron

Mark Salim, 27, Russell Lea, NSW

After a long day at work painting houses, I was keen to put up my feet.

Back at home, my mum Waheeda was cooking chicken pasta, while my dad Yousif watched TV with my siblings Milad and Rivon.

'Mmm, that smells delicious,' I called out, shutting the front door.

As we chatted, my older brother Ameer arrived home with a yellow-crested cockatoo in his arms.

'What is this?' Dad asked, concerned.

This is Cookie,' beamed Ameer.

He explained his friend had bought Cookie from a local bird owner, but couldn't take care of him as the parrot required a lot of attention.

'I thought we could look after him,' Ameer said.

Worried the bird would create mess in the house, Dad agreed we could keep Cookie for a week before finding him a forever home.

But just three days later, we were all smitten with our new feathered friend.

'Hello,' I said to Cookie.