"He is, isn't he?" Zouichi gave the Doctor a rather rare, unguarded smile as he let Alan hop back up onto his wrist. "I picked him up on the last shore leave planet. He's pretty intelligent, too, for a parrot. His name is Alan."

At least the Doctor appreciated parrots! Howard just seemed to be convinced the bird was out to get him. Which was ridiculous, because clearly Alan was the nicest, smartest, best bird ever. In any case, Alan regarded the Doctor with his beady little parrot eyes, as if sizing up this new and interesting (and slightly gangly) arrival.

Zouichi blinked as the Doctor sneezed into his handkerchief. "Are you all right? Did you pick up a cold?"