Mandy Kocevar of Mulberry Acres Parrot Rescue shared the remarkable story of Auggie, a lovable elder African Gray whose bottom half is paralyzed. Auggie came to live with her after his original human was no longer able to care for him. He was in rough condition, as he can’t preen or clean himself, but Kocevar and another parrot named Simon make sure Auggie looks and feels great.

Because of his condition, he can’t turn himself around to get at his back feathers. And Simon helps us preen Auggie. It’s like he knows that Auggie can’t do it himself. And so he just went right in and started doing it for him. I’m thinking that he’s had this disability for a very long time, but we aren’t sure.

Kocevar also makes sure to keep Auggie close and Auggie doesn’t mind that at all. In fact, Auggie has learned to climb with his beak to let his beloved human know that he wants attention.

I’ll put this wire perch on the outside of his cage and he knows that he can climb up onto this wire perch. Then I’ll take him out and I’ll hold him and cuddle him and preen him. …He loves to be with somebody on them on their lap being held all the time. We also have a little sling that I got. …it was perfect for him. …So when I’m doing dishes, I can have him close to me and he just hangs out in that sling.

Mulberry Acres, a nonprofit parrot sanctuary in Brighton, Michigan, keeps birds who need ongoing care as part of its special-needs flock, which is where Auggie spends his days chatting with his fellow residents.