Meet Jesse the African Grey Parrot who is feeling happier now !

From time to time we post something completely different, and this story is a little different! Some readers may have already seen this story about a parrot who was so depressed and refused to talk after the death of his owner but has now found his voice again - including a bit of swearing. 😲

African grey parrot Jesse was taken in by an Animal Centre, near Ringwood, (a market town in south-west Hampshire, England), but it soon became clear to staff that he was struggling with grief and the sudden change in his environment.

Parrots - who learn to speak by hearing words and mimicking them - often have large vocabularies. But nine-year-old Jesse refused to speak, except for occasionally whispering ‘goodbye’ to RSPCA staff, and started to pluck out his own feathers.

Behaviour and welfare advisor Hannah Hawkins said: “He’d come into us after the death of his owner and we believe he’d been in the same home for his whole life and was much-loved so it’s not surprising he was struggling after such a sudden change. He seemed lonely and depressed after such a loss.”

Jesse got lots of attention and additional enrichment to help him while a new home was found for him.

Jesse went off to his new home in South Wales last month and is settling in well with dog behaviourist Rachel Leather, her family, and their two dogs and five cats.

As his confidence has grown the parrot has become much more cheeky, and potty-mouthed. He even loves to make fart noises.

Rachel from Aberdare said: “Within 24 hours of being home he was nattering away to himself.

“His personality is really coming out. He just makes us roar with laughter. He loves to make fart noises, make jokes and swear. His language is awful.

“I think he’s lived with a dog called Wellard in his previous home, or watched a lot of EastEnders, because he calls both of my dogs Wellard! He also says: ‘Jesse’s a good boy’ and then occasionally replaces that with: ‘Jesse’s a good girl’ and laughs.”

“He’s only been with us for a short time but I can’t imagine how we ever existed without him.

“He has settled in so well. Feather-plucking can be a difficult habit to break but he has some feather re-growth so that’s a good sign. He’s also started to play with his toys, interact with his foraging wall, and is even grinding his beak which is a signal of relaxation and contentment," added Rachel.

“The fact that he’s talking is a really good sign. I was surprised at how chatty he became because the staff at the centre said he was really quiet and had only said one word - ‘goodbye’ - a few times. It’s heart-breaking to think that’s all he’d say after suffering such loss.”

The cheeky parrot has also learned that Rachel’s partner calls her ‘Babe’ so shouts ‘Babe’ to get her attention and swears.

“I cannot wait to watch him grow in confidence and personality, and develop as he settles in more. We absolutely love him and it’s going to be a wonderful adventure with him joining the family."

Above words and picture taken from article here

Have you ever owned a parrot? Did he/she like talking?
As a child I can remember we had budgerigars, but they didn't talk!

All the best Jan