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Welcoming a pet parrot into your home can be a life-changing experience, as many parrot owners will attest. From playful antics to strong bonds of affection, parrots bring endless joy and challenges to their caregivers. In this story, one pet parrot, Poppet, a resilient lovebird, teaches us all about love, patience, and overcoming adversity. Emma, the proud owner of Poppet and her feathered companions, shares the ups and downs of raising these wonderful birds, highlighting the special moments that have helped strengthen their bond over time.

The Meeting Story

Having 4 birds (3 lovebirds and 1 cockatiel, not in the same cages, don't worry!), their names are Beaux, Blush, Elliot and Poppet- Poppet being the birdie that this story will be about. She is at least five years old, as I adopted her in 2020 with her partner, Blush. Beaux is our most recent birdie in the group, and we only adopted her in December 2023.

Q: How would you describe the bond you share with your parrot in a few words? 

I treasure the bond I share with all of my birds, especially Poppet, as she is a mother and has shown so much love and resilience throughout living with me. During the 2020 lockdown, I decided to challenge myself by taming a pair of lovebirds. It's well-known how difficult this can be, but surprisingly, both warmed to me within a matter of months. Millet became my best friend when I wanted to interact with my birds. They were indeed hesitant at first, flying away when frightened and preferring to be with one another rather than near me. It's very rewarding looking back on how timid the pair were in 2020 compared to how comfortable they are in 2025; Blush (male) was arguably more daring than Poppet (female) as he seemed to puff his chest out and show off whilst eating the millet treat I would hold out for them. 

Q: How did your parrot come into your life?

My family has always been interested in animals, and my brother and family friends owning reptiles themselves encouraged me to also have a love for exotic animals. When I was younger, I would keep a notebook on all the varieties of pet birds, and I recall doing a plethora of research on all the species of lovebirds, what mutations there are and the typical things bird owners should know prior to their commitment. At this point, I wasn't necessarily researching how to own a bird; I was rather interested in the idea of it, of course, but I knew my parents would never allow that! Funnily enough, soon after beginning my research, a pair of lovebirds seemingly fell into my lap, and my parents were surprisingly just as thrilled as I was. It was fate. 

Food & Character

Q: What is your parrot's favourite food, and why?

My birds adore millet, as I'm sure all do! But they are also partial to Harrison's bird pellet, when they hear the rustle of the bag, they go craaaaaaaaaazy for it, probably because of all the good it does them! (If only they knew how expensive it is)

Q: How does your parrot express affection or bond with you and others?

Poppet and Blush are always snuggled up with one another; they are inseparable, glued at the hip. Elliot sometimes gets shoved away from this display of love, which is upsetting, but he enjoys staring out the window and embracing the skyline outside.

Beaux is overly efficient with my family and me; she will greet you by swooping swiftly onto your head, and it's almost instinctive for us to duck when interacting with her, as she is so unpredictable. I would like to say, after a year of owning her, that we have warmed to this tendency of hers, but we haven't. She sings the Wallace and Gromit theme tune (the first thing we managed to teach her), the first couple riffs of the guitar in Iron Maiden's Run to The Hills and the usual 'If You're Happy and You Know It', she regularly slips up on these tunes to which we call it Beaux's remix which is really cute.

Challenges and Surprises

Q: What challenges have you faced while caring for your parrot?

I recently realised the importance of investing in bird-safe products, especially for smaller birds like lovebirds and budgies. I don’t buy toys blindly; I choose ones my pets will enjoy and use for a long time. My lovebirds love shredding toys, so I look for paper and finger snap options. My cockatiel, however, prefers to be with me or my mum and rejects any toys. I've also noticed many bird toys come with bells, something I previously overlooked, which almost cost Poppet her life!

Less than a week ago, I woke up to hear the rattling of metal in my birdcage and squeaking from who I assume to have been Elliot and Blush. I removed the blanket from their cage and was horrified to find Poppet hanging by her beak from a metal bell on a swing I had bought. Luckily, my brother was home and, with his experience in metals and empathy for animals, he helped comfort her. After trying to remove the bell, he insisted I take her to a vet for safety.

The drive was excruciating, as I felt Poppet's heart racing and slow blinking in my palm. While heading to the nearest exotic vet, my mum realised we might face a long wait. In a split second, we called our trusted exotic pet shop for help in this distressing situation. To our relief, the reply was nothing short of an understanding. Yes, they clarified that, if necessary, we should still have a vet on hand. 

Less than twenty minutes later, my mum and I rushed into the pet shop, Poppet in my arms. My eyes were swollen from the tearful morning, and I feared my bird might not survive the trip, her slow blinking signalling her tiring fight. Fortunately, the lady at the desk greeted us with empathy and led us to the bird specialist, who quickly took us to a safer store room to examine Poppet's injuries.

Being unable to bear the sight of my baby in pain, I scanned the storeroom while listening to the bird specialist and his colleague describe the situation. The metal bell had lodged in my poor girl's beak, causing her pain. Within five minutes, they removed the clapper, relieving Poppet’s suffering. Thankfully, her tongue was unharmed, which was a huge relief for everyone.

Poppet's relief was visible in her breathing becoming more collected, and her tongue cleaning the wound. My mum and I were in complete awe at how caring and selfless all the pet shop colleagues were at this very moment; they even applied antibacterial powder to Poppet's wounds. They efficiently removed the clapper and insisted we didn't owe them anything. My mum and I were just relieved that my Poppet was free from the metal contraption.

Not an hour later, Poppet was reunited with both her boyfriend and her son. They were affectionate, and they even groomed her, which boosted my confidence in her recovery with her family nearby. Keeping a close watch for blood or signs of infection, I can see weeks later that my baby is doing much better! I’m endlessly grateful for the pet shop team's support and Poppet's resilience. She may be small, but she's truly a warrior.

Parrot Essentials Tip: Always choose bird-safe toys and accessories that don’t contain harmful metals or small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Our Toys for Parrots Guide section offers a wide range of safe options for your feathered friends.

Q: Were there any unexpected behaviours or needs that surprised you?

Insisting Blush regurgitates to her is one of Poppet's favourite pastimes, and it's rather hilarious to watch. Being a proven pair and raising Elliot and more clutches together (surprisingly, the parents are rather accepting of their child still living with them after 2 years!), it's evident their love knows no bounds and it's truly so lovely to see.

Q: Can you share a memorable story or experience that highlights your relationship with your parrot?

Often when the window is open and the birds are secured in their cages, they will whistle to the wild birds that perch on the tree outside my window, which creates a cacophony of exotic/British bird sounds, it's really something! I do wonder if they understand one another or just enjoy making the racket?

Q: How has your parrot impacted your life or helped you through tough times?

Becoming a bird owner during the depths of lockdown was one of the best decisions of my life as I was definitely encouraged to be more optimistic rather than succumbing to the blues of lockdown. The bond I have with my birds wouldn't be so strong if it weren't for the time I had to dedicate to taming them and making them feel comfortable in my presence.  

Q: Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone considering getting a parrot?

Time. Money. Space. Patience. 

Q: What do you wish you had known before acquiring your parrot?

Personally, I couldn't own an animal with a short lifespan as I grow attached very easily; knowing that lovebirds and cockatiels live mostly into the double digits is very heartwarming, especially as we have already established such a close bond. This is something for aspiring parrot owners to consider in depth before committing, as I can understand why this may be a daunting idea for some; however, for people who are ready to have a lifelong partner and believe they have what it takes to be a bird parent, go for it!

Parrot Essentials Tip: Before adopting a pet parrot, make sure you understand their lifespan and the level of commitment needed.

Final Thoughts

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers about your parrot or your life together? 

Once you get a pet parrot, they are included in everything you do: you make breakfast- they receive the scraps of the apple you cut up; you get ready for work- they are making a perch out of your shoulder; you are watching TV- they are singing to you through the adverts. It's rather endearing to know that if you're having a bad day at work or wherever you are, you have this bundle of fluff with joyous beady eyes waiting to see you at the end of the day. 

I have gathered some of the birds' feathers over the years. The springtime is my favourite because the floor is mostly coated with gorgeous green, orange, grey and white feathers from all my different birds! Being an artist, I tend to take inspiration from this display, and  I am very grateful that it seemingly fell right into my lap.