NILES — Floyd talks, makes kissing sounds and whistles the tune from “The Andy Griffith Show.”

And he’s missing.

The Mexican Red-Headed Amazon Parrot was stolen between noon and 4 p.m. Saturday from Ewert’s Pets, 2059 S. Third St.

George Blake, store manager, said the theft ruined the Christmas of an area family that had planned to purchase the bird as a gift, either for itself or someone else.

He said the family — he didn’t get a name — went to the store Sunday to close the deal and discovered Floyd had been stolen.

“We think someone put him under their coat,” Blake said. “It’s (Floyd) that nice. It would cuddle with you.”

He said Floyd’s asking price was $900.

The 4-year-old parrot had been at the store about a year and was purchased by Blake’s mother, Inez Brock, owner of Ewert’s, from a customer. Blake said Floyd’s ability to whistle the tune from “The Andy Griffith Show’’ perhaps stemmed from the previous owner’s allegiance to the program.

Among his other talents are mimicking the words “Give me a kiss,” “hello” and “hi,” Blake said.

He said a reward is being offered for Floyd’s safe return and the conviction of the thief or thieves. He’s hopeful, he said, that publicity about Floyd’s disappearance will mirror the result of a situation 6½ years ago when Rufus, a wooden, 6-foot, 600-pound bear, was stolen from in front of the pet store.

Newspaper stories about the missing bear perhaps prompted the thieves to “return” Rufus. At least, police found him after thieves dumped him at the side of Gumwood Road.

As for Rufus’ whereabouts until then, he, unlike Floyd, wasn’t talking.

Courtesy of The South Bend Tribune