The thing about parrots...

Expressing sorrow and regret, he wrote how he had always wanted an African Grey and finally got one. He hand-fed the baby bird, named her Muriel and taught her to talk. For years, he cuddled and loved Muriel, treating her as his baby and not just a bird.

Then one day he saw an outdoor aviary with plenty of thriving, active birds. It looked like an ideal setting, which got him wondering: Would Muriel be happier with her own species and in a more “natural” environment?

This prompted him to give his beloved pet to a man who had an outdoor aviary. Muriel, who had never been outdoors or around other birds, found herself in a situation she didn’t understand, and with birds that didn’t like her. She had to compete for food and space, and became despondent and neurotic. Soon, out of frustration with her confusing new life, she started plucking herself from neck to toe and attacking her own wings.

(via Self-plucking parrot on the mend in foster home - City Parrots - Urban parrot conservation)