Only slightly less unnerving than Perfect Petzzz, Hasbro's FurReal line looks pretty much set to trounce the fuzzy, lifelike competition this holiday season, what with animatronic parrot Squawkers McCaw's snagging a "Best Gift for Kids" award at the recent DigitalLife Expo (see some of April's very entertaining coverage here, here and here).
In Squawkers' defense, he's got some nifty features: Besides the expected voice-mimicking, he can be taught to respond to specific commands, and he even coos and gives kisses when touched. (Set him to squawk at random when the kids go to bed, and it's like your own personal Theatre of the Absurd.) Plus, he won't start mutilating himself out of boredom or turn on you like a real captive parrot would, so points there.
Squawkers McCaw retails for $69.99 and is available at Amazon.com or anywhere random outbursts can be heard wafting from store aisles.
