To celebrate National Pet Day we asked you to share with us why your Parrots are so amazing... and you did not disappoint!

We've been overwhelmed by all your responses and have loved reading all about your beloved birds. To know we've played part in your Parrots journey in so many cases is a true privilege ??

Huge thank you to all the Parrot owners out there that entered and shared, it's great to see such loved Parrots amongst our flock! ??

Let's meet our winners...

My Cockatiel Hugo, is AMAZING because he brings me joy every single day!

As I write, it is his first 'Gotcha' day, and we've had such an amazing year together. I have had a very challenging few years in my life, and I was finding myself having regular low slumps, feeling down and finding life lonely being on my own.

Since Hugo has been in my world, the down slumps have reduced dramatically. He is my little joy, bringing me so much happiness and helping to regulate me when my anxiety gets high, too. Hugo loves to sing and will join me as I play my flute and penny whistle!

The first tune he learnt to whistle was my favourite Irish reel that I love to play, and I'm so proud! Hugo has a huge fan club at my preschool where I work. The children love to see photos and videos of him and draw pictures of him, too!

They all know that he loves sweetcorn, helps me with sewing and plays 'Peekaboo'! He loves to help teach and educate the children too, showing them how we can all learn in our unique way!

Hugo's favourite thing to do is balancing a square of kitchen roll on his head whilst singing and making me laugh! He loves kisses and tickles and is just the most amazing, unique, loving, wonderful Cockatiel and popcorn-loving best birdy I could ever ask for! I'm so grateful for him - he is AWESOME!

Yumi is a Pineapple Green-cheek Conure who is currently 6 years old. He has had pretty rough luck his entire life. At the age of 2, he was diagnosed with avian bornavirus, and by 5, he received his arthritis diagnosis.

Despite all the hardship and pain, Yumi is the sweetest, most gentle, and loving bird I have ever met. He has spent his entire life helping and teaching me and others.

One of the most amazing things he has done is help educate local uni students since his avian vet is a lecturer.

His x-rays are used to teach vet students about arthritis in avian species, a video of him is used to educate on how to properly extend the wings of a bird and judge pain levels, and on top of that, he even lets vet students have a go at giving him a check-up!

It really warms my heart that despite the struggles he goes through, his nature is still calm and loving enough to help in training our next generation of avian vets!

I think my Parrot George (Green-wing) is amazing because he is a bit of a local celebrity in our town of Newbury thanks to his fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Last year, we took part in the Stand Up to Cancer walk and raised almost ?800 for Cancer Research. And will be taking part again this year. (And I'll be dressing as a pirate to match his efforts!).

He has also fundraised for the owners of a one-eyed rescue French Bulldog who needed surgery on her remaining eye. This was not cheap, so George has been carrying his charity pot around town to raise money for her bills.

George likes to show off in town and draws lots of crowds and questions about Macaws and what it's like to live with one. (The good and the bad! We always tell people to research if they are thinking of getting a bird!)

He has also done some school visits on various topics such as rainforests and flight. George frequently visits my mother's elderly care home centre, joining in for arts and crafts, coffee mornings, and even attends their bingo nights.

He is often invited for the dementia coffee mornings too and has visited residential care homes to make room-by-room visits to residents who are room-bound. He is always amazingly patient and gentle with people.

When we get home, he is more interested in my praise than treats. He just seems to enjoy knowing that he's made people happy, and that I'm super proud of him! (And treats once he's all settled again.) 

I adopted my Congo African Grey Parrot, Jojo, in 2018 at the age of 2 from a friend of mine who owned an animal shelter. His previous owner had left him in his cage 24 hours a day and had no interaction, and due to stress, had started to pluck his breast and neck feathers.

When he first came to live in my home, I had to replace his cage as it had never been cleaned and was rusty and riddled with some sort of creature, and fill it with toys.

When I initially started to interact with him, I had to remove him from the cage with a towel, or he wouldn?t come out. I needed HIM to get adjusted to me and interact with me, this trust time of daily stroking and talking to him, as he was nervous of humans.

After about 2 months, I decided to try an experiment, so I opened his cage door and gently talked to him. To my amazement, he came out on his own and stood on his cage door. He then flew to my shoulder, so I had obviously gained his trust. Over time, I taught him to step up and down, and he allowed me to put him in his cage at night and bring him out in the morning.

We interacted every day, and I slowly gained more trust. I like my music, and I have taught him to dance and rap to music he likes. Over time, I spoke to him like I would a child, and he has started to repeat words I say. His character and personality have now come out, and he is a joy to be with; you can?t stop him whistling and singing.

We have our communication system. I took him to the vet for a checkup. The reason for his plucking wasn?t anything medical, and it turned out it wasn?t, but he made me laugh when he swore at the vet and said, ?Don?t like you!?

He now has a repertoire of words and phrases, making noises such as bin wagons and police sirens. He sits on my shoulder, and we share fruit, and he nods if I ask him, he wants some fruit. He?s not quite mastered the thank you, but we're getting there.

He asks me if I?m alright, if I?m out of the room, and has always been there for me through the two bereavements I have had, amongst other personal issues I have had to deal with recently. He is my pet and my family.

We are now in 2025, I have mental health issues, and he is my protective factor and has prevented me from suicide. Last year, when my best friend died of a heart attack suddenly and I had no family, Jojo was there for me, and I would not be without my wonderful, loving Parrot.

Momo is going to be 14 this year! We've been through a hell of a lot together. 2 years ago, she got diagnosed with liver disease, and every day she surprises me with her strength, vitality, and most of all, how happy she is.

She spends 80% of her day now on a heat pad, snuggled up, and doesn't fly anymore, although she still has a good wing flap! She loves her 10 pm snack time (I'm not sure why; she's always done it even when she's blanketed and in bed by 9 pm!) 

She's my world! Her sister passed away aged 10, and a few years ago we got another Lovebird to keep Momo company, he's called Guillermo.

He's 6 years younger than her, and they are in love. We think he's probably why she keeps on going, honestly! Long live my sweet Momo! Thanks for all the years with us!

My African Grey Parrot Puchhu, been raising money for children?s Cancer Research / Stand Up to Cancer.

She got lots of attention wearing various outfits, from people coming into the shop. They especially loved Puchhu in her Halloween and Christmas outfits.

Puchhu has been so great, raising over ?1000 since October. She visits our local nursing home to support and entertain the residents.

Plus, she visits local schools to help raise awareness. She?s got a date in June to go to our local church!

Thank you to everyone who told us why their Parrot was awesome in our recent competition. Keep checking our blog and social pages for more stories!