The extraordinary story of Grandpa Lorre: The 86-year-old Parrot
An 86-year-old parrot? Yes, indeed! Grandpa Lorre celebrated his impressive 1th birthday on February 2025, 86.
Some birds have a story that touches your heart. And Lorre is just such a bird. This 86-year-old Amazon parrot has been through more than most people, including surviving World War II.
Today Joyce shares Lorre's impressive life story, his daily adventures and the challenges that come with caring for an elderly parrot. This is the special story of Grandpa Lorre!
The Story of Grandpa Lorre
Lorre lived with his first owner for at least 65 years. How his life there went exactly, I do not know.
But I assume that, while it may not always have been the ideal situation, they did their best in their own way to take good care of him.
He was also lucky enough to survive the Second World War! Something that was not self-evident for a bird – given the food shortages that prevailed at the time.
Unfortunately, everything changed after the death of his first owner. Lorre was transferred to a family member, but the conditions there were far from ideal.
He sat there for 20 years in an old, bare cage, with no distractions. The only things he had were a broomstick as a perch, a water bowl, a food bowl and aviary sand on the floor of his cage. It's hard to imagine, but Lorre simply had nothing to keep him occupied.
Lorre was noticed by the TV program Hope for Wings Foundation, who then contacted his current owner. After a conversation it was decided that Lorre would be best given to the foundation, because he was not in his place there.
It was only when he came to Hope for Wings Foundation where the real problems came to light.
His left eye was badly damaged, the cornea was so weakened that his iris was sticking out. He was visibly in a lot of pain, but the previous owner unfortunately did not notice this.
Lorre was really a doubtful case at that moment! Would he make it? And what quality of life did he have? After all, Lorre did nothing more than occasionally eat and sleep.
Luckily he responded well to painkillers and it was clear he wasn't ready to give up yet. So it was decided he could look for a good place and luckily he ended up with me!!!
After 60 years of being well cared for, Lorre ended up in a bare cage with no distractions. Luckily, he was noticed by the Hope for Wings foundation, after which he got a new life with Joyce!
Hope For Wings Foundation
Is a non-profit organization that is committed to the welfare of parrots.
Since 2015, the foundation has rescued over 800 birds and helped them find a new, safe and loving home!
Their efforts give birds like Lorre a second chance.
Lorre's Road to Recovery
After his damaged left eye was removed in two steps, he was freed from the pain.
It was an intensive process with two operations and anesthesia, something that really cost me a year of my life. While Lorre had only been with me for a month!
Fortunately, it turned out to be the right choice and after the interventions he quickly felt better.
His other eye is intact, but Lorre can barely see with it. He only reacts to light and dark, which makes it difficult for him to orient himself in his surroundings.
That's why I use the Back Zoo Nature UV Lamp, which helps regulate its day and night rhythm.
This is essential for Lorre, as he cannot sleep properly or be active without adequate daylight.
In addition, Lorre receives medication three times a day and to provide him with extra support I give him porridge.
After two intensive operations to remove his damaged eye, Lorre quickly felt better.
Lorre's Daily Routine
An average day with Lorre starts off calmly. Lorre wakes up and starts eating some seeds.
I clean his cage and give him a nice scratch on the head.
When Lorre has finished eating, he comes to “sit with me”. Then Lorre gets his medication and I also give him porridge as extra support.
After his meal, Lorre climbs on top of me and then it's time for cuddles, until he's had enough.
When he makes a soft sound (yes, I now speak Lorres!), I know he's done and I put him back in his cage.
Sometimes I let him destroy some toys on the couch, take him into the shower or let him walk around on the floor. And after that it's time to rest. The rest of the day he sleeps a lot, but he is always alert when I say or do something.
This ritual is repeated in the evening: medication, sitting with me for a while and then back to his cage.
Regularity and clarity are important to Lorre, especially because he is blind. That requires me to think differently, but it is all worth it.
Lorre starts his day calmly with food, medicine and cuddles. Regularity is important for an old bird, especially because he is blind!
This is How I Care for My 86-Year-Old Parrot
My life has been completely adjusted for Lorre. I allow him his sleeping hours, so I don't come in until his lamp is on.
And he has to eat before I can give him his medicine, otherwise he throws it up. That can't really be forced, so often that can't be done until 11 o'clock.
Because of this, I don't make any appointments outside the door in the morning. Also in the evening, when Lorre gets his medication, I adjust my appointments accordingly. My social life is therefore quite limited.
To provide Lorre with the right environment, I completely rearranged my living room. My dresser is now the base of his heavy duty XXL dog crate, which serves as a cage.
I have adapted my entire house and even my visitors to Lorre's needs.
I also got a credit card so I can take an Uber right away if something happens to him. I have set up my life completely for him and I do that with love.
Joyce has completely adapted her daily routine to Lorre's needs. From his sleep pattern to adapting her home, she has arranged everything to give him the best care.
Lorre's Unique Personality!
Lorre is really terribly gentle, a sweet bird with a clear will of his own. He also always reacts mildly, even when he doesn't want something.
He is also very smart! Despite his blindness he notices everything.
Within two days he had figured out what 'we sewed' meant, the sound I make before I touch him.
"Tick tock bite” and his beak opens, “tap on your head“, then he gets cuddles etc.
I think he used to eat from the pot, because now when he hears something that he associates with food, he is immediately ready. When he hears cutlery, or when opening a bag of chips, he screams very loudly "lol!"
He also makes such sweet, almost childlike sounds! It's kind of a “Haha” sound, it doesn't really sound like laughing, it's more like a 'Bite Bite'
And then I have to get to work! He wants me to stir his seeds and of course I do that obediently. I always tell him so he knows what I'm doing.
The straight, boring broom he always sat on makes him walk straight. I gave him a nice, curved corky perch, but he fell off right away.
He doesn't recognize the bend, he just trusts his surroundings. The same goes for playing: he really learned that here!
Despite everything, Lorre is a terribly sweet and gentle bird! He has a clear will of his own and is very smart. Even with his blindness, he notices everything and learns quickly.
What do you hope people learn from Lorre's story?
At an impressive age of 86, Lorre shows that parrots can live to be very old.
When you choose to take a parrot into your home, you must realize that this is not a temporary obligation, but a concern for their entire life.
It is important to think carefully in advance about what will happen to your bird if you can no longer care for it yourself.
For example, do you have a family member who can take over the care? Or can you make an arrangement with a foundation such as Hope for Wings, who can then find a suitable new home?
Getting a parrot is a lifelong concern! Think carefully about what will happen if you can no longer care for yourself and arrange a solution in time, such as a family member or a foundation such as Hope for Wings.
You can also choose to adopt a parrot. An adopted bird is absolutely not necessarily a "bruise" or a problem case. I have several, of which Lorre is the second Amazon and I can only say that they are the sweetest.
There are several agencies you can go to, both if you can no longer care for your bird or if you want to adopt a bird. I still find it an honor to care for this old man and I really hope he makes it to 100.
Follow Grandpa Lorre's Adventures on Instagram!
Joyce regularly shares the adventures of 86-year-old Lorre to make people aware of the importance of good care and the lifelong commitment that keeping a parrot entails.
