A parrot with mental health issues has celebrated her new life after being prescribed Prozac.

Roxxi, an African grey, was not feeling like her usual self when she developed depression and anxiety, seemingly overnight.

She stopped doing the things she used to enjoy, like sliding down the bannisters. Things got so bad that she started pulling out her feathers and refused to come out of her cage.

It was a difficult time – but she’s come through stronger on the other side with professional help.


And frankly, she is loving life:

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Roxxi, aged 10, is tearing it up at home now, back as the centre of attention among the 12 birds she lives with.

Her owner Margy Newton, who volunteers with bird charity Problem Parrots, was terrified of birds until 11 years ago but was persuaded to bring one home by her husband and things escalated from there.

‘Roxxi was always such a livewire,’ Margy, from Merseyside, said.

So it was distressing to see her going through a rough patch.

Roxxi with her friend Harley (Picture: Mercury)

Margy was upset to see Roxxi out of sorts (Picture: Mercury)

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‘We were told that it might be because of hormones but Roxxi had developed bad anxiety,’ Margy said. ‘Feather pulling is a nervous thing so she had to be put on pain killers and Prozac for eight months.

‘And the Prozac made her a bit too relaxed, it was like she was high. But gradually she’s got better and she’s letting her feathers grow back so we’ve weaned her off the Prozac.

‘It is so nice to see her getting back to normal. It’s hard to believe how much better she is compared to six or even just three months ago.’