Bud, a blue-fronted amazon parrot adopted at the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020, has transformed from an overweight bird with a crisp addiction into a healthy, beloved diva, according to Chloe Shorten, head of animal welfare at RSPCA Norwich.
From Foster to Forever: Bud's Arrival
Shorten, who works at RSPCA Norwich, offered to foster Bud when working from home became mandatory. She and her husband, Jason, initially thought the arrangement would be temporary, but by the time the pandemic had settled, they had bonded so strongly with Bud that she never left.
At the time, Bud was about 200g heavier than a parrot should be and too overweight to fly. The parrot also had a lipoma, a fatty lump, on her keel bone, which runs down from the breast. Although the lump does not bother her, it still requires monitoring.
A Strict Diet and a Healthier Life
Because of these health concerns, Bud was put on a strict diet. The intervention proved successful: she has lost weight, her feathers are of better quality, and she enjoys her life. Parrots can live for 50 to 60 years, and Bud has just turned 28.
Bud is described as a bit of a diva who knows what she wants and when she wants it. She can be the most endearing creature in the world, then suddenly have a tantrum like a toddler. Shorten acknowledges that Bud can be challenging but emphasizes that she is really lovely.
Comedic Timing and Musical Surprises
Bud has a great sense of comedic timing. When Shorten is speaking to neighbours, Bud sometimes shouts "Bye!" in the middle of a conversation, making them think someone is asking them to leave. She also starts whistling at builders, creating hilarious but embarrassing moments.
Bud surprises her owners with what she knows from her youth. Earlier this summer, while watching the World Cup, she started tweeting along to the German national anthem. She also loves rock music, especially the piano part of "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance.
Patience and Transformation
Bud has made Shorten more patient. It took two years for Shorten and Jason to find a cage that Bud liked; before that, she kept having meltdowns. Parrots do not like change, but Bud has been resilient, and Shorten finds it brilliant to see her transformation.
Bud is now a big part of their life. Shorten says she is more tolerant because she does not give up when Bud has a tantrum, knowing she is worth the effort. They are constantly looking for new ways to make Bud happy, describing her as their naughty little green chicken.
