39-Year-Old Parrot Caged Most of His Life Learns Trust With New Adopter

A video of a parrot that spent most of his life in a "tiny cage" being rehabilitated in a new home has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was shared by Jennifer Greenberg (@the_green_bird_brigade), 42, who is based in Austin, Texas. The video, which was captured in Greenberg's home, has had views over 674,000 views since it was first posted on March 29. "I rescue and rehabilitate parrots, as well as use my social media platforms to educate others on better care for their birds," she told Newsweek.

The latest bird she's been caring for is Poncho, a 39-year-old yellow-naped Amazon parrot. Born in New York in 1985 and purchased from a bird store by his original owner, Poncho spent "the majority of the first 32 years of his life in a tiny cage," according to a caption shared with the video, which shows Poncho trying various things for the first time, from new foods to stepped onto Greenberg's arm.

His first owner had a large dog that "went after Poncho," so the parrot was "left in a room alone where the dog couldn't get him for years," the caption noted.

Poncho has been with Greenberg for two weeks and "the biggest change I have seen in him is his willingness to trust me. He has never really trusted people before due to his background and being alone so long."

Native to parts of Mexico as well as Central and South America, Amazon parrots were once a common species but deforestation and the pet trade have greatly reduced the numbers, according to the Parrot Outreach Society, a Florida-based nonprofit.

The nonprofit says: "Most free-ranging species are considered threatened or endangered and efforts to protect these birds have resulted in a ban on importation for pet purposes in the United States. High quality companion birds are available from breeders."

Amazon parrots are known for their "excellent ability to mimic" and the yellow-naped ones are among those that appear to have the best potential for talking, laughing, coughing or even imitating a baby's cry, according to the nonprofit.

As entertaining and engaging as they may seem, Amazon parrots don't always enjoy being touched or "cuddled," the nonprofit warns.

"Some may be considered hyperactive or short-tempered" and they're generally "not good pets around children," the nonprofit added.

'He Is Quickly Learning'

Poncho was given to a friend of his first owner seven years ago, when the former owner "could no longer care for him due to old age," according to a caption shared with the post.

"Unfortunately, Poncho's new family didn't know much about parrots, especially parrots like Poncho, who have trauma from their previous life. I hope to completely rehabilitate Poncho and help him find a life with someone who will give him everything he needs and deserves," the caption adds.

A message overlaid on the viral clip says: "Things my 39 year old Amazon parrot did for the first time this week."

The video goes on to show Poncho experiencing new food, such as vegetables out of a bowl. A note across the clip says "Poncho has been on a junk food diet his whole life...so I started teaching to eat healthy foods from day 1."

Poncho also learned to step onto Greenberg's arm as she lowers it to him, as seen in the video. "Poncho has spent most of his life alone, so he isn't very trusting of people," however, "he is quickly learning that I can help him get to where he wants to go," a message across the video reads.

The parrot is also shown sitting in a bigger enclosure. "This is a hard reset for him. He is not sure about the toys, the perches, any of it," a voice in the clip says.

As the footage shows a white cage, a note across the screen says: "Poncho has only known this small cage and the space around it for years."

The bird is later shown taking a "bath" by getting himself wet in a bowl in an enclosure. "He really didn't bathe in his last home and his feathers were very oily," a note across the screen reads.

The parrot later receives "scritches" from a hand that's shown massaging the top of the bird's head. He "even asked for more," a message on the clip notes, as the bird is shown moving closer to the hand.

Poncho also managed to leave the safety of his cage, making his first step out of the cage and heading downstairs for the first time. The footage shows Poncho on a perch in a living room setting.

"His world just got a whole lot bigger," a message across the screen says as the video ends.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.