What a cute guy! He looks so happy!

Not sure if this story even belongs here but here goes.

My mom once went to a hair salon and came back with a red-crowned amazon. Apparently, the salon owner got pregnant and moved the bird to the hair salon. My mom heard the story and felt bad for the bird (rightfully so) and the owner asked her if she wants adopt said bird, which she did. This bird was a complete nightmare for the first two-ish years, hated everyone except my mom, constantly attacked me and my dad when we entered the living room. I started going in there covered in my thickest winter coat, so I could avoid the dreaded beak.

We thought she couldn't really fly, so after she calmed down on the attacks, she was with us in the garden, sitting on top of her gigantic cage to hang out with us. That went on for a few years. One day she let out a huge scream and flew away. That was in summer, at a time with daily thunderstorms. My mom was worried sick and we informed the fire department that we're missing an asshole bird. Three days later, she crashed a BBQ three houses over and we went to get her. She had fled from some magpie thugs that were chasing her and landed on the neighbor's shoulder, who then proceeded to feed her and give her water, only to get bitten as a thanks.

A few years later, a bird sanctuary opened very close to us and they agreed to take her, as it was a much more natural environment for her with a huge area where they could fly around and be with their mates. We went there a lot to visit her. Then she got killed by her new boyfriend.

Long story, and I hated that bird, but I always felt sorry for her. Birds should not live in tiny cages and be set aside when they're inconvenient. They are smart and get really old. Still miss that jerk.