Rescue Parrot Breaks Hearts As Viewers Notice Severe Problem With Beak

A 29-year-old rescue parrot’s dramatic transformation has gone viral on TikTok, after viewers noticed the severe neglect the bird had endured.

The video posted by Mulberry Acres Rescue (@mulberryacres), a parrot sanctuary in Brighton, Michigan, has already racked up more than 288,000 views, with many reacting to the condition of Winnie, a macaw whose beak had grown dangerously long.

Winnie was taken in alongside seven other parrots by sanctuary founder Mandy Kocevar, 45, after their previous owner could no longer care for them.

Kocevar told Newsweek: "Winnie's elongated beak was one of the reasons we took them in. That kind of thing doesn't happen overnight.

“It was overgrown to the point where it was almost touching her neck. That kind of growth can take years to develop. We found out that the previous owner's health was the main cause contributing to the neglect.”

At the start of the viral footage, text explains that Winnie had “learned how to survive despite her disability.” The clip shows her beak being trimmed in stages, a process described in the video as a stressful ordeal for birds.

According to Pet MD, say overgrown beaks in parrots should be treated professionally, because abnormal growth can be tied to illness, injury, or long-term dietary and environmental problems—and trimming can cause bleeding if done improperly.

As Winnie’s beak is gradually reshaped, she appears calmer and more comfortable, with the changes highlighting how much the condition had impacted her day-to-day life.

Winnie is described as a “cuddle bug,” in the video. Kocevar told Newsweek that parrots have “many different personalities and they are very similar to human toddlers.”

She said: "They love to learn new things and are extremely curious. If you let them out of your sight for two seconds, they will get into everything. They need naps and bedtimes, and plenty of food or else they get hangry and have tantrums.

“They are silly, have senses of humor, and understand a lot more of the human language than we know.”

Viewers were stunned not only by Winnie’s condition, but by the fact that it could happen at all.

“They're beaks keep growing? I had no idea,” said one user.

Another added: “I wonder if having a beak that long stopped her from plucking. What a gorgeous bird. It makes me happy seeing her happy.”

Despite their intelligence and affection, Kocevar said parrots are too often misunderstood—and that neglect in exotic pets can be more common than in cats and dogs.

“The education and awareness for exotic pets is almost non-existent, in comparison to domestic pets,” she said. “People aren't sure what to feed them, how to exercise them, how to train them, or even how to identify and limit hormonal behaviors.

“Most of our intakes have never even been taken to a vet for a checkup. Avian vets are few and far between, and the cost is substantial, so most bird owners do not seek out the proper medical care.

“There are so many factors making care for these animals more difficult than domestic pets. Not to mention their extremely long lifespans, leading to them outliving their owners.”

Macaws are among the largest parrots in the world and require decades-long commitments from owners. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, large macaws typically live 50 to 60 years, with a maximum lifespan around 75 years.

For Kocevar, Winnie’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful: a case study in what neglect can do slowly over time, and how much quality of life can be restored once a bird is finally given expert care.