Chatty parrot with crisp addiction put on diet by RSPCA
A chatty parrot who got too fat to fly has been put on a strict diet.
Last updated 28th Jan 2021
A 22 year-old parrot called Bud was left unable to fly due to her love of crisps.
She arrived at the RSPCA centre in Mid-Norfolk and North Suffolk in March 2020 after her owners could no longer take care of her.
She weighed in at 620 grams on arrival, that's about 200 more than she should have been - and it was all down to an obsession with crisps.
Chloe Shorten, who works at the branch, said: "Bud arrived just a few days before lockdown hit as she'd become too much for her owners and they could no longer take care of her.
"Parrots are incredibly intelligent birds and need quite specialist care - and we certainly had our hands full when she arrived!
"She was also extremely overweight, weighing in at a hefty 620g - more than 200g heavier than she should have been.
"While it's tricky to tell from looking when a parrot is overweight you could tell when she tried to fly; she would literally drop to the floor!
"She has the hearing of a bat and can detect a packet of crisps being opened from four miles away so it's no surprise she was overweight!"
Bud quickly won over Chloe's heart, who had been fostering her once lockdown hit, and has now taken her on permanently.
Chloe made sure she went on a strict diet when she arrived home:
"Crisps were strictly banned from our house so she couldn't get hold of any!
"But, thankfully, she quickly lost the weight and she's now much happier as a result.
"She's loving life and can fly again; it's great to see her soaring around the house."
Chloe added: "She is such a funny character and she brightens our days, particularly during this difficult time as she loves to sing.
"She loves my husband and likes to serenade him with her rendition of the Addam's Family theme tune!
"She's also really chatty and will welcome you into the room with a loud 'Hellooooooo'.
"She likes to confuse any delivery drivers or neighbours who come to the front door by shouting 'BYE!' half-way through the conversation;
"I'm sure they must think we have a really rude child or relative inside trying to get rid of them!
"She likes to make an appearance on video calls which always surprises people and she also sometimes wolf-whistles at people so that can take some explaining when I'm on a work call!
"She's learned how to laugh and often chuckles when my husband bangs his head or if someone says something funny; it's amazing how she can react as if on cue!"
Bud now lives with Chloe and her partner, three dogs and three cats!