I was leaning over some bushes in the garden of our beautiful casa, when I felt a small bird and the little sharp claws on her feet climbing my shirt’s back.
I knew I had to move very slowly, so the bird would not be scared away. Maybe with a bit of luck I could take a selfie with my phone. Birds, shrews and squirrels are regular visitors to our garden.
We have a cranky old crow that visits often, and a family of bats that come out at dusk to drink water from the pool and regale us with an aerobatic display.
The garden has become a haven for the wildlife in our street.
And then she appeared out of the blue. I should think she found me. Why would a little lovebird choose me, I will never know. Maybe she knows more about me, than I do.
“Dad, there’s a cute little parrot on your back!” – Miss Spacebuns shouted across the garden.
I tried to turn my head to see, when the parrot flew over to Miss Spacebuns’ head and started squawking happily.
“This bird is tame and she escaped from somewhere.”
We posted “parrot found” ads but never got a reply. Maybe it came flying from afar. Maybe it was not a happy bird in her previous home. Maybe it was all part of a cosmic order of things, where things just flow and lost birds select their carers.
And so, without further ado, Penny the lovebird flew into our lives.
But do not be fooled.
She is gorgeous but like everyone else in our household, she bites when angry.