Donna Greig from Harrogate has wanted a parrot since she was a child and said it was “love at first sight” when she first saw 13-year-old Coco.
After taking the Congo African Grey parrot home from Knaresborough Exotic Pet Rescue in December, it’s been a whirlwind few months for Coco and her new owner.
Some studies suggest that parrots are one of the most intelligent species of bird on the planet. Donna said Coco needs a lot of stimulation and needs to be out of her cage for up to six hours a day.
She said:
“When she wont get the attention she thinks she deserves, she creates absolute havoc.
“They are mini destructor weapons. You don’t need a paper shredder when you have a parrot.”
But Coco has a favourite drink that helps get her head right.
“She likes a nice cup of chamomile tea to help calm her down.”
Donna says she feeds Coco vegetables and fruit but she can be particular.
“I get a dirty look if I don’t give her pine nuts and pomegranates. It’s like being ruled by a mini-dictator!”
What a plonker
Parrots are famous for mimicking human speech which they learn through repetition.
Coco is no different, and when Donna comes home from work she sings away to the radio “having a whale of a time.”
She said she also “has the beep of my washing machine down to a tee”.
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Donna said:
“Coco likes pop music and is a massive fan of Disney. She absolutely loves the song Let It Go and also gets quite excited at Prince and Miley Cyrus.”
“But I’ve have been good not to teach her swear words. I’ve gone into mummy mode”.
Coco has even picked up on a phrase from Donna’s favourite TV show.
“I watch Only Fools and Horses all the time so she calls me a plonker.”
Perfect companion
Donna lives on her own and says Coco has been the perfect companion during lockdown.
She said the bird makes her laugh every day, but bathtime can be difficult.
“Coco is a water dodger and when I take her into the bathroom she says, ‘no, I’m not having this’, and flies into the bedroom.”
Despite the occasional temper tantrums, Donna said she has no regrets and has recently created a Facebook page for fellow parrot owners in Harrogate to discuss their feathered pets.
She added:
“Getting Coco was the best decision I ever made”.