LONDON (Reuters) - A foul-mouthed parrot, which blurts out expletives and pecks people when she's angry, is to be removed from a British Royal Navy ship to spare any embarrassment during a visit by Queen Elizabeth.

African-gray parrot Sunny will be sent ashore from HMS Lancaster so she doesn't ruffle any royal feathers when the queen and her husband Prince Philip visit the ship on Friday, British newspapers reported Wednesday.

The frigate's 205-strong crew are determined to avoid a repeat of a recent visit by the British fleet's commander-in-chief, when Sunny's four-lettered rantings could be heard even though she was locked in a cupboard.

"She learns new words all the time and mimics what people say," Lieutenant Commander John Pheasant was quoted as saying.