Pedro the Parrot Finds a New Home, for the Dodo by Marlo Jappen Porto

One day Zachary Dripps and Ashley Vasquez found a vibrant green parrot in their backyard. They watched him all day and he seemed right at home. They finally invited him into their home to keep him safe from the opossums living in their avocado tree. Instead of flying away, he came right in and hasn’t left since.

Dripps and Vasquez searched online to see if anyone in their area was missing a bird but nobody came forward.

In the meantime, the couple ─ who knew nothing about parrots ─ researched what foods they eat, and also made a vet appointment. The parrot quickly took to the couple, perching on their shoulders and interacting with them. Before their new little visitor arrived, neither had any idea how cuddly and affectionate parrots could be.

Pedro Finds His Forever Home

A few days later, a neighbor knocked on their door and asked if they’d seen her bird. When they welcomed her inside, she was surprised to see how happy and comfortable the parrot seemed. “He doesn’t act that way with anyone in our family,” the neighbor said. And she believed it was serendipitous that he had flown into their yard because she was moving into a smaller space and needed to find a new home for him. She asked Vasquez and Dripps if they wanted to keep him, and of course they said yes.

Settling In

Being first-time parrot parents comes with a steep learning curve, but Vasquez and Dripps were up for the challenge. They removed things from their home like chemicals that are harmful to parrots, and they switched Pedro’s diet to organic pellets with a variety of fruits and vegetables, supplied him with toys for enrichment, and even found a parrot trainer to help further strengthen their bond with him. The couple has also discovered that Pedro is endlessly entertaining. He loves dancing, he’ll bob his head along to music he likes, and with various antics, he likes to be the center of attention.

More About Parrots

Parrots are known for their diverse personalities, often described as intelligent, social, and playful. They can be energetic, curious, and adaptable, thriving on human interactions and new experiences. Some species are known for being particularly vocal and expressive, while others may be quiet and reserved. They are one of the few species that can mimic human speech.

Parrots can live for a very long time in captivity, with lifespans varying greatly depending on the species. Smaller parrots like budgies and lovebirds may live 10 to 20 years, while medium-sized parrots like African greys and conures can live 25 to 50 years or even longer. Larger parrots, such as macaws and cockatoos, can live for 60, 70, or even 80 years or more with proper care.

Pedro's story was first published on The Dodo July 4, 2025

https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/parrot-lands-in-couples-backyard-and-finds-his-forever-home