Meet Paulo Guacamole

African parrot Paulo Guacamole sits on a perch inside the aviary in the rehabilitation facility. He is avocado green with yellow feathers on his face Several weeks ago, we welcomed an Orange-winged Amazon Parrot to our rehabilitation and release program. His name is Paulo, but his caregivers noted that his feathers are about the color of an avocado, so they’ve been affectionately calling him Guacamole. Paulo “Guacamole” was someone’s wild-caught pet, but his owner determined that the bird would have a better life if released back into the wild.

When Guacamole arrived, he had significant trouble flying, which you would expect from an animal who’d been inside for years; he’d had no way to exercise his wings. He now has access to an enclosure with a flight cage that gives him the opportunity to test his skills again for shorter distances, building up stamina for bigger trips. The care team is rearranging his enclosure pretty regularly, trying to create different scenarios of varying heights and distances, hopefully encouraging him to explore from one perch to another. He’ll need more practice before he’ll be ready to release.

Caregivers put a wildlife camera in the bird enclosure, and we’ve seen Guacamole exercising more when we’re not around, making great strides. His color has improved significantly with a proper diet, and he’s showing increasing disinterest in (and perhaps even annoyance with) humans, which is ideal; he needs to be more comfortable around his own species than he is around people. He’s been vocally responding to other parrots and when they fly over and call out, he calls back. We’re planning to take him to the male Asian barn one evening before sunset, since there are a number of Amazon parrots who come back to that area to sleep. We’re confident that he will continue to improve and have hopes that he can join the others relatively soon.

Comments(12)

Johnny says
April 24, 2026 at 2:02 pm

Guac!
Wim says
April 24, 2026 at 2:07 pm

What a beautiful guy. and from your story l understand that he’s got all the right characteristics. May you fly to your freedom Paulo.
Pamela Hall says
April 24, 2026 at 2:55 pm

Now we just need Chips N
sol says
April 24, 2026 at 3:10 pm

😍🥰
elaine richard says
April 24, 2026 at 3:47 pm

😊💚
Patricia says
April 24, 2026 at 6:06 pm

How wonderful! You are the best of humans, helping our beloved non-humans return to their true natures–before not so wonderful humans came into their lives. Love to everyone, of every species, there.
Rachel says
April 25, 2026 at 9:53 am

Love this! Thanks for helping him rehab in a safe environment before releasing him back to where he belongs. I’m still a fan albeit a bit quieter responding to posts now – but know that I’ll continue to support you financially from time to time. Hugs to every creature, human and non-human alike! 💕
Carol says
April 25, 2026 at 2:55 pm

Wonderful that Guacamole will have a chance for a natural life with his own kind!! Thank you GSE!!
Patricia says
April 25, 2026 at 3:02 pm

Paolo G., I love you!
Terry says
April 25, 2026 at 6:26 pm

Holy Moly Guacamole!!!! Awesome!
Carey says
April 29, 2026 at 2:11 pm

You sound as if you’re doing a brilliant job, I so hope he makes it successfully in the wild. How old is he? And you have wild parrots roosting in your Asian barn also? how lovely. Such an interesting story, thank you!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 29, 2026 at 2:22 pm
  
  We know he’s a fully grown adult, but that’s about all we know about him. We weren’t given tons of information about him when he arrived. There aren’t any wild parrots in the Asian barn, but we’ll often see parrots and macaws when we are watching from up the hill from the barn.

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