My Pet Parrot Stories: Marie, Elvis & Peaches

Welcome back to "My Pet Parrot Stories," brought to you by Parrot Essentials! This time, we're sharing Marie's journey with her two rescue parrots, Elvis the African Grey and Peaches the Solomon Cockatoo. Their story is a lovely reminder of patience, second chances, and how different two parrots can be, even when they come from the same background.

Do you have a story about your pet parrot? We'd love to hear it! Head over to our Introduction Page of My Pet Parrot Stories and join our community of passionate bird lovers. Your story could be featured, and you can get a Parrot Essentials gift code worth up to £50!

The Meeting Story

Q: How did your pet parrot come into your life?

My name is Marie and these are my 2 rescue parrots! I have always wanted an African Grey. I decided that I would prefer to rescue a parrot that needed a new home. However, when Elvis, my CAG, came up for adoption, they told me he was living with a cockatoo and they had been together for 2 years, so they didn't want to separate them. So I took both, so double everything!

They lived together for 2 years in an aviary with no handling due to their previous owner becoming very ill and sadly passing away. They are not bonded, but I didn't want to separate them, so I adopted both. I always wanted a CAG, but I'm happy we adopted both.

Parrot Essentials Tip: Rescue parrots often need time, patience, and a calm environment to settle into a new home. If you are welcoming an older pet parrot or rescue parrot, it can help to read more about parrot behaviour, trust-building, and creating a safe home setup before making changes too quickly.

About Elvis & Peaches

Q: What are your pet parrots like?
So both my parrots are rescued. Peaches the Solomon Cockatoo is 15 and Elvis the CAG is 35!

They are very different in personality. Peaches is very sookie with me and chose me as her person. She is sweet and funny and very noisy! She would happily live in my hoodie. She is only very noisy when she knows I'm in the house but can't see me. She says "Peaches, peaches, peaches!", "Peachy girl" and "Where's Elvis?"

Elvis is a sweetheart and likes his evening time on the couch with me, but not as sookie as Peaches. He likes his head scratched, likes to have a wee wander around the floor, and likes to sit on the couch with us. He's a very clear talker. He likes to say "good boy", "come on", and he has said the odd swear word! He's soft and sweet and calm.

Food & Snacks

Q: What are your pet parrot's favourite foods?
Peaches' favourite food is walnuts and pears! Elvis prefers pistachio nuts and bananas!

Parrot Essentials Tip: Favourite foods can be a great way to build trust, reward calm behaviour, and encourage interaction. Nuts and fruit are often popular treats, but they are best offered as part of a balanced diet alongside high-quality daily food and foraging opportunities for your pet parrot.

Settling In

Q: How did they adapt to their new home?
They both adapted so well to being in a house again, especially after everything they had been through.

The first couple of days were a worry, as Elvis just clung to the bars of his cage and wouldn't go on a perch. But thankfully, he did, and now he loves climbing about his cage and chewing all his toys!

Peaches was more adventurous and climbed all around her cage and loves all her toys! They both love being out of their cages and are mostly only in them at night.

Parrot Essentials Tip: When a pet parrot is settling into a new home, perches, toys, and cage layout can make a real difference. Some birds need time before they feel safe enough to climb, chew, or explore, so offering a variety of perch textures and enrichment toys can help them grow in confidence at their own pace.

Traits & Bond

Q: How would you describe your bond with your pet parrots?
Peaches chose me as her person and is very cuddly, but Elvis is more independent. They have very different personalities.

I'm so privileged to have them as part of my family.

Advice for Future Parrot Owners

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering getting a pet parrot?
My advice to someone wanting a parrot would be to adopt.

Be prepared for the mess and having things chewed. Research as much as you can. Also, a lot of things you can buy that you think they will like end up that they don't!

Learn to read your bird and don't force attention on them. Give them time. And always remember they are very long-lived, so be prepared for that.

Most of all, they are still wild animals, so expect a bite or two!

Parrot Essentials Tip: Before bringing a pet parrot home, it helps to research not just the species, but also diet, enrichment, noise levels, lifespan, and common behaviour issues. Choosing the right toys, perches, food, and cage accessories from the start can make life easier for both you and your bird.

Life with Elvis and Peaches has been a journey of learning, patience, and plenty of personality. Despite their past, they've both settled into their new home, each in their own way, and continue to bring something special into Marie's life every day.

Would you like to share your personal Pet Parrot Story and get a chance to receive a gift code worth £50 from Parrot Essentials? Simply provide us with a brief introduction, and we'll get in touch with you.