Welcome back to "My Pet Parrot Stories," brought to you by Parrot Essentials! This time, we're sharing Sharon's story with her 27-year-old African Grey pet parrot, Rambo. Rambo has been part of the family for 22 years and, with her impressive vocabulary, clever tricks, mischievous escapes and very strong opinions, she certainly knows how to make every day interesting.

Rambo originally joined the family as a five-year-old "boy", until she started laying eggs and revealed otherwise! Her name stayed, though, because according to Sharon, it suits her perfectly.

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 dad got Rambo from a friend of his 22 years ago, believing she was a boy. We got her when she was five. When she was about 10, she started to lay eggs, so we knew she was most definitely a girl, but we kept her name as it suits her.

She always has, and still does, absolutely love my dad and has never bitten him.

When I stayed with my parents, I had a Conure, so when I moved out, I took Rambo with me as well, since she and the Conure had been together for so long and I didn't want them to be lonely. My Conure passed away two years ago, so now it's just Rambo and me.

Rambo and I share a good bond now, although she didn't like me to begin with.

She even still shouts for me in my mum's voice to "get up" and tells me that my "supper is ready".

Food & Snacks

Q: What is your pet parrot's favourite food?
Rambo's favourite snacks are toast, biscuits, chips and anything I am eating. Just now she is loving Lafeber's Nutri-Berries.

Of course, Rambo being Rambo, even getting a treat can involve one of her little tricks. The most recent one is that when she is getting a treat, she will give me a claw first when I ask for one, and then I ask her to wave and she waves at me.

Activities & Talents

Q: What activities, talents or interesting behaviours does Rambo have?
Rambo has many talents. She has a brilliant vocabulary, which includes some swear words, and she has my text message tone spot on, to the point that I go to my phone when I hear it.

One time when I was coming home from work, as I was unlocking my door, I thought I could hear music. When I went into my living room, Alexa was on, playing Lionel Richie on some random relaxing music playlist that she had managed to put on. She says "Alexa" at least 50 times a day now.

She absolutely loves kids and is very vocal when she sees them, as she gets excited.

She can be very naughty at times and is brilliant at escaping, so she now has six carabiner clips on her cage.

One time she escaped on Boxing Day and ate my Christmas presents, which included a foot mask, perfume boxes, gift bags and a limited-edition David Bowie vinyl LP. My sofa looked like someone had thrown confetti on it.

Every time she sees me clean the floor, she goes to her water and decides to have a bath!

Traits & Character

Q: How does Rambo express affection and bond with you?
Rambo can be a biter when she is grumpy, but when she's in a loving mood, she loves getting her eye rubbed. It puts her to sleep.

She always gives me a kiss goodnight.

Although I did not choose to have her in my life, I couldn't imagine my life without her now.

Parrot Essentials Tip: Every pet parrot expresses affection differently. Learning to recognise your bird's body language can help you understand when they want interaction and when they would prefer some space. Reading up on parrot behaviour can make it easier to recognise these signals.

Challenges of Life With Rambo

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced while caring for Rambo?
The biggest challenge we have faced would be the feather plucking. After years of trying things and going in circles, it still happens.

Rambo is a picker and I have tried absolutely everything there is. There have been a few times when she's looked amazing, but then her hormones have started and she's picked again, then laid an egg, and so the cycle carries on.

She is now 27 and continues to lay eggs a few times a year.

Parrot Essentials Tip: Feather plucking can have many potential causes, including medical, environmental and behavioural factors, so persistent or unexplained feather plucking should always be discussed with an avian vet. You can also explore our articles on parrot stress, hormonal behaviour and feather care for further guidance.

Life With Rambo

Q: How has Rambo impacted your life?
Rambo has had a big impact on my life as she keeps me company when I'm lonely and always brightens up my day. She makes me smile even on my worst days.

It's just me and Rambo now since my Conure passed away two years ago, and although I did not choose to have her in my life, I couldn't imagine my life without her now.

With Rambo around, there's always something happening, whether she's talking, copying my phone, shouting for me in my mum's voice, telling Alexa what to do, escaping from her cage or deciding that the perfect time for a bath is immediately after I've cleaned the floor.

Advice for Future Parrot Owners

Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking of getting a pet parrot?
The advice I would give to anyone thinking of getting a pet parrot would be to be prepared to hoover a lot. They are very messy and dusty, and they are a long-term commitment.

Rambo has now been part of our family for 22 years. She came to us when she was five and is now 27, so bringing a parrot into your life really is something you need to be prepared for long term.

Although I did not choose to have her in my life, I couldn't imagine my life without her now.

Life with Rambo has brought Sharon companionship, plenty of laughter and more than a few surprises. From copying phone notifications and controlling Alexa to escaping her cage and giving a goodnight kiss, Rambo has become an irreplaceable part of her life.

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