She was waiting for help β and now she looks so much different.
Winnie the Macaw Gets a New Lease on Life After Dramatic Rescue
When the family of a bird owner realized they could no longer care for six parrots, they reached out to Mulberry Acres Parrot Rescue for help. Taking in that many birds was no small taskβbut the moment rescuers saw a photo of Winnie, they knew they had no choice.
Winnie, a vibrant macaw, was in critical condition. Her beak had grown so long it nearly curled into her neck, a painful and dangerous state for any bird.
βThereβs absolutely no reason for a parrot to have a beak like that,β said Mandy Kocevar, founder of Mulberry Acres. βWhen we saw her, we knew we had to act.β
While the other birds also needed medical attention, Winnieβs situation was the most severe. Alongside her overgrown beak, she was also significantly overweight, which may have worsened her condition.
Astonishingly, Winnie had adapted to eating despite her beakβs shape. She had learned to scoop food into her beak and maneuver it into her mouth using her tongue. Sadly, part of her health decline stemmed from a diet heavy in fast foodβincluding regular meals from Burger King.
βBeak overgrowth like this is usually due to underlying health problems, often made worse by poor nutrition,β Kocevar explained. βWinnieβs weight and her beak told us everything we needed to know.β
Although a beak trim was urgently needed, rescuers gave Winnie time to settle into her new surroundings. And it didnβt take long for her affectionate personality to shine through. Within days, she was asking for head scratches and bonding with the team.
βItβs clear her former owner loved her and handled her often,β Kocevar shared. βSheβs sweet, eager to perch on your arm, and she loves sharing mealsβsheβs always hoping for a bite of what youβre eating.β
When Winnie was finally ready, the rescueβs avian vet carefully performed the first stage of her beak trimβa process that has to be done gradually to avoid harm. She handled it like a pro.
βSheβs like a new bird,β Kocevar said. βSo much more comfortable, and sheβs clearly feeling better.β
Now thriving at the sanctuary, Winnie is getting daily exercise, eating a proper diet, and enjoying a structured routine. Sheβll remain at Mulberry Acres for several months as she continues to recover, and when the time is right, the team will decide whether sheβll become a permanent resident or be adopted into a loving home.
βSheβs had a total makeover,β Kocevar said proudly. βAnd weβre doing everything we can to make sure this next chapter is the healthiest and happiest of her life.β