Places!
Are your eyes closed?
No peeking! We're almost at the surprise.
Why'd the surprise have to be so early?!
Couldn't wait!
Plus I gotta tail it back to Long Island for breakfast
with my Ma afterward!
Here we go...
Ta-Da!
Ain't she just perfect?
Wow... yep, the bench sure is nice!
I love it!
- Is the surprise just... - The park?
What? No. I'm not talkin' 'bout the park,
I'm talkin' about...
This!
Have you ever seen such a nest? It's my dream home!
Ohh.
I thought you lived with your Ma.
I do! But I'm ready to spread my wings...
and rest them, right here.
It's all about location.
It's got shady leaves, friendly neighbors.
Hey! Hey-o!!
There's even a bath tub!
Best of all, I'll be closer to you.
Without that pesky commute from Long Island,
you'll get your Word from the Bird even earlier every morning!
Ain't that grand? Kids?
Huh? Aw, my first sleepover.
Woohoo!
You got this, Ant'ney.
Of course Ma's gonna support you, she's your Ma!
Ugh, your brother's late... as usual!
Punctuality's never been Ant'ney's strength.
But I'd never be late for breakfast, Ma!
Well, you, on the other hand!
Had to fly all the way from the dental office
in the city and still managed to make it on time.
Ma, I'm home!
Sorry I'm late!
Had to show my friends at the habitat uh...
somethin'!
Consider these tokens of my apology.
Ugh, I told ya to lay off the junk food, Ant'ney,
it'll rot your beak!
Just ask your brother. Ma's right.
We filled four cavities yesterday, the patient couldn't lay off sour gummies.
Don'tcha mean the dentist filled four cavities?
Well, sure... with my help.
I offer the dentist moral support...
from my ledge outside her window.
The most responsible bird on the South Shore...
I'll take that!
It's time to get your priorities straight.
Here's some healthy birdseed for my growing bird.
What would you do without me?
Heh, funny you should ask... As you know, Ma,
I've lived here quite some time.
Since the day ya hatched!
You were late to arrive then, too.
Anyway... there's this primo nest over in Central Park...
- A nest? In the city? - Yeah!
Location like that's not gonna last long so--
Uh-uh. Not gonna happen.
But... Eddie lives on his own.
Eddie's a medical professional!
Huh?! Is he though?
And besides,
how ya gonna fall asleep without my lullabies?
She still sings those to you?
Huh? Oh!
Barely ever.
Ma, I know ya still think of me as your baby bird,
but I'm ready to fly!
- Huh? - Huh?
Woah! What the...?!
Oh, Ant'ney, always with the song and dance!
Now go get rid of the junk food. I don't want sweets in the nest!
Ma's right, you know,
that's stuff gonna rot your beak.
I'll still come back for these later. These are hard to find in one piece.
Aw, rats!
Glad someone'll get to enjoy them.
Can you believe Ma?
I'm a full-grown bird but she still doesn't trust me
to make my own decisions!
If ya want her to think you're responsible,
ya gotta act like it! You're late to every meal.
I'm not late, you're just early!
I'm on time.
If on time means being extremely prompt, well, then, sure--
That's exactly what it means. Huh?
Huh?
Mh!
That egg's gonna fall!
Not if I have anything to do with it.
Oh, you think you're the only one who can save an egg?!
Woah!
Come here.
- Stop, you'll drop it! - Bro, I got it!
Nice catch.
You might go to dental school,
but I've got an A plus in crash landings.
Huh?
- Now what? - We gotta tell Ma!
Hey, Ma, we're back.
There you are! Didja get lost?
What? No! This egg rolled off the back of a truck.
And I snatched it outta the air!
Pre-tty responsible, wouldn't you say?
Oh, poor thing...
Look at the size of it! An egg like this shouldn't be away from its nest too long.
Don't worry! I clocked the name on the truck
and, responsible bird that I am, I'll return the egg in no time.
Just gotta look up the address for the "Eastside Emporium"...
I'm sure your brother can handle it, right, Eddie?
Why don't you return the egg on your way back to the dentist?
We've got a busy day of cleanings, but sure.
- Thanks, Eddie, but I got this. - Really?
I dunno, Ant'ney.
Takin' care of an egg's not easy.
It is when you're a responsible, trustworthy bird... y'know,
like the kind who's ready to live in his own nest?
A-ha! "Eastside Emporium"!
There's lots to stay on top of when you're caring for an egg.
Like, do you know you need to keep it warm at all times?
Of course! That's Bird Logic 101.
Don't you trust me?!
Of course I do.
But just in case,
it's windy out there today...
a baby belongs at home.
If you can prove you're responsible enough
to get this egg where it belongs,
then we can talk about that nest you found.
-Otherwise... - Birdseed and lullabies for Ant'ney!
I'll return the egg right now, Ma! You'll see!
No sweat!
Sure you don't need Eddie's help?
No, I got it, I got it!
Oh! And you better be back for dinner.
Don't be late this time!
I'll be right on time! You can count on it!
Huh?
Ant'ney?
Aw! Ah!
C'mon, Ant'ney... just a little farther
and that new nest is all yours...
Uh, ahh!
Woah!
I saw Ant'ney bein' blown through the sky
holding a giant egg in a knit cap!
Your catnap dreams are getting weirder and weirder.
I'm gonna need a soft landing!
- It wasn't a dream! - Huh?!
Ah!
He needs something to break his fall!
Try my blankie!
Woah!
Ant'ney!
I'm okay! The ground cushioned my fall.
Thanks. That coulda been messy.
Wow! Where'd you get that?
Oh, my Ma knits all sorts of hats every winter...
she could make you one if ya like.
No, he means the egg! Look at this beauty,
what is it, a duck egg?
- It could be a chicken! - I hope it's a platypus.
I'm pretty sure that egg belongs to a reptile of some sort.
You can tell 'cause it's more symmetrical.
I learned that on the Nature Channel.
Whatever it is, what are you doing with it, Ant'ney?
I was tryin' to get this baby back to Eastside Emporium!
But that's a heavy bundle and it's been awhile
since I've perched at the gym.
Uh, oh. A baby belongs at home.
Ma said the same thing!
She must watch the Nature Channel too!
If I can't fly the egg home, I'll have to travel on land.
So, I was hoping I might get some help
from a coupla land animals...?
We are well-versed in all manners of city travel.
And this map will show the best route to get there!
- Eastide Emporium was it? - Yeah, thank you.
I have to return this egg and get back to Long Island in time for dinner,
or Ma'll never think I'm responsible enough
for my own nest.
We've always been able to rely on you.
A-ha! Looks like the fastest route is through the park.
C'mon, we'll get you home soon, little reptile baby.
Or platypus baby!
If you want my opinion,
I've got a feeling that egg is one of mine.
I don't think it's a flamingo.
Maybe not, but I'm telling ya
there's something Floridian about that egg. We can always sense each other.
No offense but don't you have...
easier ways to travel?
Today, I'm gonna do my thing without the wings.
Okay, but there's no first-timer discount.
If you want to pass, you need a toll.
No way! That's not breakfast.
Fine, then we'll take the hat.
No can do. This egg needs to stay warm. Hmm, but!
What if I bring you two hats later? Hand-knit just for you!
You've got yourself a deal.
- Yeah! - Yeah!
- Woo! - Yeah!
Woah!
Hey! Those are my donuts!
Eastside Emporium is through the park, then a little ways uptown!
Great! We'll get this egg where it belongs in no time.
And then I'll finally be my new nest!
Taking care of an egg is a big responsibility.
Meh, it's been a breeze so far!
Huh? Whoa! Hey, get back here you.
There, there.
Nothing bad will happen to you as long as your-- Ma's hat!
- Gah! - Oh, no!
You gotta keep the egg warm!
Like this?
There there, little baby.
Why'd I have to be the egg?
Ok, I could get into this...
Mommy and daddy will keep you cozy!
- We'll rock you. - And burp you.
- And keep you warm. - And change your diaper.
Whoa, that's where I draw the line!
Let's get back to the cozy part.
There's only one thing left to do.
I'm gonna have to incubate this baby myself.
Hey, this is kinda nice.
- I could do this all day! - Well, you shouldn't.
Mama ducks take three breaks a day while incubating their eggs.
So, you're saying it could be a duck!
I still think it's a chicken...
Well, this mama hasn't even taken one break yet!
Huh?
Woah!
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Snack break!
Woah!
A couple'a quick bites and you'll be right back
in Ant'ney's wings.
- Huh? - Ooh!
Maybe we can get these cupcakes for your nest-warming party, Ant'ney!
Forget the cupcakes, Bea's got my egg!
I can't watch!
- You're still watching. - I can't not watch!
Oh, no! She's going to cook the egg!
Not on my watch, she isn't!
I'm coming, baby!
Pigeon! Health Code violation!
Ahh!
Easy, bird...
Over there!
Phew! That was close!
And it's got a crack in it?! Ma's gonna kill me!
Um, Ant'ney?
- I don't think it's just cracked... - Huh?
Ant'ney! Your incubating worked!
Huh?
Ooh!
Oh, oh...
Ah? That's no chicken!
An alligator?!
Or a... crocodile?
Definitely an alligator,
you can tell by her wide snout! Told ya! She is a reptile!
She's actually pretty cute...
Mama!
Did that baby just talk?!
Did that baby just call Ant'ney her mama?!
Does that baby have multiple rows of teeth?!
Look at you, so smart already...
I'm not your mama but I am gonna get you home safely.
You better do it fast!
This baby thinks you're mama now,
but she might think you're dinner soon!
Aw, you wouldn't eat me for dinner, wouldya, Allie?
- Allie? - It felt right. But speaking of dinner,
it's almost time for Ma's dinner,
and I can't be late. Let's get Allie home quick!
This is how Ma used to rock me...
And she'd rub
It helps with brain circulation. That's why I'm so smart.
Are you sure she's not trying to eat you?
She's just teething! Most babies do.
Do what you need to do, Allie.
Just try to be gentle.
We're here!
You can give the baby back now.
Uh.. what is this? Some kinda pet store?
Huh. Didn't really picture her at a pet shop.
But... at least pet shops have lots of supplies, right?
She'll have everything she needs.
"Ask about 'the big egg,'
our exotic new pet, available soon!
All you need's cash in your wallet
and a bath tub at home!"
Do they mean... Allie?
Alligators aren't meant to be pets.
Yeah, she'll get too big for a bath tub! That's not right.
And it's illegal! In the Park Ranger Handbook,
selling wild animals violates at least five city codes!
It's not safe for the animals... or for humans!
Maybe the sign means something else?
Maybe she belongs somewhere else...
A baby belongs at home.
And if I don't return Allie and get back for dinner,
Ma'll think I'm not responsible enough for my own home,
with my own room and views and...
bath tub.
Ma's right.
I need to do the responsible thing...
Ant'ney, wait!
Yep, Allie does not belong here.
- We gotta stop Ant'ney! - Okay! Let's go!
- What's the plan? - Doesn't matter,
we just can't let Ant'ney--
Can't let Ant'ney what?
Did you really think I was gonna let Allie sleep in a bath tub?!
Uh...
There were lots of supplies in there though... got everything she could need!
Even something to chew on instead of my wing!
I can't just let my baby live anywhere, she deserves the best.
She does, but... you can't just keep a baby alligator.
I know. Which is why I'm going to bring her where she really belongs.
What about your Ma? Won't she be mad?
No. She'll be furious at me for missing dinner
and failing my task.
But, nest or no nest,
Allie's my responsibility now.
Pet alligator?!
The sale of a wild animal violates at least five city codes!
- That's what I said! - Thanks, Stripes. Where did you say it was...?
I'd be happy to show you how to get there, Ranger.
'Scuse me! Have you seen a pigeon?
I'm lookin' for my son, Ant'ney.
I know he likes to spend time here.
- I know Ant'ney! - Well, didja know Ant'ney's late for dinner again?
I haven't heard a chirp from him all day!
And he thinks he's responsible enough for his own nest! Ugh!
Oh! Ant'ney's probably just busy taking care of baby Allie!
You must be mixed up.
My son doesn't take care of any babies.
No mix up here!
Ant'ney's a mama to an alligator baby, which...
congrats, makes you grandma!
Ah... I don't understand.
Come with me. I'll show you!
Oh...
I didn't even think you knew the words!
'Course I do, Ma!
And now I understand why you worry about me so much.
Taking care of somebody means lovin' 'em
even more than you love croissant crumbs.
That's responsibility and you proved yourself
more than responsible today.
She made it easy.
I thought you needed me to take care of you,
but it looks like you can take care of yourself,
and others, without me. You're not my baby anymore.
Aw, Ma. No matter where I am,
be it Long Island or Central Park,
I'll always need you. And I'll always be your baby.
Let's go, Ma.
Well, hello, little one. What are you doing here?!
Looks like someone's been taking great care of you.
We haven't forgotten about the toll you promised...
Oh, hey, Ma? Quick question.
Have you ever knit a hat for a chimp before...?
Oh! You're in the wrong habitat, that's for sure.
But I think I know just where you belong...
And I'll be back first thing in the morning to check on you...
I told ya she was one of mine!
I know a Floridian when I see one!
Great! Then you won't mind giving her some extra attention tonight?
Just as she settles in.
You can count on me. I've been told I have a very soothing presence.
She spooks easily at loud noises.
Copy that, only dulcet tones from here on.
She loves when you read the dumpling menu out loud to her.
- Alright. - And use this when she tries to use
your leg as a chew toy.
Sorry, what now?
Oh, and rub her temples as she falls asleep,
- clockwise is best! - I got it!
Okay, okay... see you soon, kid.
Woohoo!
Okay, ready?
I've got a long flight back to Long Island tonight.
Don't get used to this. I'm only doin' it once.
You're welcome here whenever you want, Ma.
Goodnight, my little one.
Huh...