Hilary SwankHilary SwankActress Hilary Swank is turning her attentions to a new challenge - that of raising a family with husband Chad Lowe.

But it's not babies that are keeping the two-time Oscar winner busy.

Instead it's a pair of parrots who are the new arrivals in the Swank-Lowe household.

The couple have been married for 7 years and are keen to start a family.

But Swank says the birds will allow them to put their parenting skills to the test until she feels completely ready to hear the patter of tiny feet.

"We are very eager to have kids and having parrots is great baby training," she said.

"They need to be fed twice a day, they need love and support and we also teach them their alphabet. And they love to pick up four-letter words, so you really have to be careful what you say."

Swank, who scooped her second Oscar for boxing drama Million Dollar Baby, revealed earlier this year that hubby Chad is desperate to have a family.

However, she admitted that she wasn't quite ready for the challenge of dirty nappies and sleepless nights just yet.

"Chad wants babies," she said. "I do too, but not quite yet. I'm just waiting for my biological clock to start to kick in so hard I can't ignore it."