A rescue pet cockatoo is stealing hearts on Instagram with her human-like behaviour, munching on pizza, pasta and even chicken wings, as well as enjoying a dance to Camila Cabello’s hit tune, Havana.
Twenty-year-old FeFe was adopted by Eve Butler, 61, from Florida, in March 2016, having been rescued by a non-profit animal organisation after two previous families gave her up.
The bald cockatoo was less popular with potential owners after plucking off all her feathers, permanently damaging the follicles, but Eve, who met FeFe while volunteering at the Parrot Outreach Society, says she instantly ‘fell in love’ and decided to give her a forever home.
‘She was very quiet and unsure of her new home but after a few weeks my husband became the only person that could hold her – which is funny because he didn’t even like birds, but she stole his heart,’ said Eve.
‘Unfortunately when birds are relinquished there is very little information provided about them, so it’s sad to think of what she has experienced to cause her to pluck out her feathers.
Rescue pet cockatoo FeFe, from Florida, is stealing hearts on Instagram with her human-like behaviour, munching on pizza, pasta and even chicken wings, as well as enjoying a dance to Camila Cabello’s hit tune, Havana.
Time for a treat! FeFe enjoing a potato chip, one of her favourite foods alongside chicken wings and pizza
FeFe wearing clothing to keep her warm. She came to her owners completely bald after plucking out her own feathers and is sometimes mistaken for a baby vulture because of her appearance
‘We knew she was female and 15 years old, and fully plucked by the time the second family adopted her.
‘When we first adopted FeFe, we felt pressure to keep a collar or sweater on her to prevent her from plucking but we could see how miserable she was, and at that moment we accepted her for who she is.’
Due to her lack of feathers, FeFe is sometimes mistaken for a ‘baby vulture’ but her hobbies – and eating habits – more closely resemble that of a human.
Her favourite song is the pop tune ‘Havana’ by Camila Cabello with the adorable parrot bopping her head and swinging her neck along to the music whenever it comes on.
Snack time! The happy pet’s day consists of eating, chewing her toys and napping and she makes a racket by screaming non stop when she wants food
Copying her beloved owners, FeFe also likes to follow her dad around the perimeter of the swimming pool whenever he gets in – sometimes even joining by riding on a raft in the water.
Her favourite foods include pasta, beans, scrambled eggs, nuts, pizza, chicken wings and mashed potatoes – something she indulges in small amounts and infrequently.
She even eats pasta straight from the saucepan when her family prepare it, clutching it in her claw and feeding herself.
Eve said: ‘FeFe usually gives her first squawk at around 6.15am and we take her out of her sleep cage.
FeFe enjoying the swimming pool. If her owners are taking a dip she will follow them around the perimeter.
FeFe eating a chicken wing: The cockatoo still plucks out her feathers but her owners say she’s happy and settled in her ‘forever home’
Her owner Eve met FeFe while volunteering at the Parrot Outreach Society, and says she instantly ‘fell in love’, despite the cockatoo’s unusual appearance
FeFe eating pizza! Her other favourite foods include pasta, beans, scrambled eggs, nuts, pizza, chicken wings and mashed potatoes, but she’s only allowed a small amount on rare occasions
‘Most of her day is spent in the living area where she has a large play stand.
‘Her day consists of eating, chewing her toys and napping. When we leave the climbing rope down, she will come down off her play stand to see her dad or look for our cat.
‘Dinner time is very loud for her – she always wants to taste what you are eating and will scream non-stop until you give in and give her something.
‘When we eat things that are not good for her I’ll put some of her favourite things in her bowl.
Hugnry bird! FeFe even eats pasta straight from the saucepan when her family prepare it, clutching it in her claw and feeding herself
I’ve been a very good bird! FeFe checks out a Santa decoration. The bald cockatoo is very playful and even bops along to her favourite music
Watch the birdy! FeFe poses up a storm for the camera, wearing a tiny cosy coat to keep her warm after plucking out her feathers
‘If we go outside, we take her out with us onto the screened patio and if her dad is in the pool she’ll follow him around the perimeter.
‘Before bed she is usually held for an hour and just before bed at 7pm she gets one pistachio nut.’
Although FeFe still plucks her feathers, her owner says the bird is a happy member of the family – but warns others that parrots are not the easiest pets.
Eve added: ‘So many people say they want a bird like FeFe but I think it is important to know that parrots are complicated.
‘They are very loud and very needy, and that is why there are so many parrots that are relinquished like FeFe was.
‘FeFe is 20 years old and could live another 30 years so we need to make plans for who will care for her if she outlives us.’