My Beautiful Pepe

Hi, I’m David and I’m 11 years old. This is my story:

My dad gave him to me. From the very first moment, we were friends: as soon as he saw me, Pepe would call me with a tender “turrutoturo,” the same sound he made when saying goodbye as I left for school or when I returned from a trip.

Once I traveled to Cartagena and left him in the care of my grandparents. The day I came back, upon hearing my voice, he shouted that “turrutoturo” with such excitement that it seemed he confused scolding with stories of his days without me.

He walked behind me like a loyal puppy, though to me he was better than any: a feathered companion, full of laughter and secrets.

Over time, I researched how to take care of him and discovered that green parakeets need a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, and that they are very social birds: they live in flocks and miss their kind if they are alone. I then understood that my love had to include enriching his cage with toys, sharing fresh fruit, and above all, giving him the company of other parakeets, not keeping him isolated.

The day he escaped, something inside me broke. I looked for him in every branch, every corner of the house, until, when I looked out onto the patio, I saw a group of green parakeets fluttering among the trees and heard a cheerful “turrutoturo.” In that moment, I understood that his destiny was to fly free with his own kind.

Every morning he would pass by my window and perch on the nearby tree, leaving me that same song that reminded me that, even in freedom, we would always be friends.

“My Beautiful Pepe” —as I proudly call him— taught me that those who love, give freedom. Today I imagine him happy, exploring the world with his green wings, reunited with others of his kind, living a thousand adventures under the sun of our land.

There was a little parakeet who dreamed to fly,
they called him Pepe, with a wish to say goodbye;
he looked through the cage thinking of the sea,
and dreamed of skies where he could sing freely.

His owner David cared for him without rest,
but Pepe wanted to explore the world’s quest;
he practiced and practiced until he could leap,
and one day he finally left his keep.

“I’m free!” his wings began to shout,
but soon the emptiness came about,
a loneliness that made him see
that David’s home was where he longed to be.

At night he kept his song inside,
longing for those eyes that loved with pride;
he passed by the house where he used to stay,
missing the friend who cared every day.

He saw the window and chose not to return,
even though his sad soul began to yearn;
he was free, but still couldn’t forget,
my Beautiful Pepe, I thank you yet.

– Song authored by: David Caballero (11 years old)

Analysis and reflections from Fundación Loros

At Fundación Loros, we learn every day that parrots are not gifts or toys. Captivity can lead to serious—even fatal—accidents when these birds end up in inexperienced hands. David had the wisdom to research how to offer Pepe a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, and to understand that these birds need the company of their own kind to truly thrive.

The connection between David and Pepe shows that affection transcends species: an 11-year-old boy and a little parakeet can share a deep bond, built on tenderness, respect, and that unmistakable “turrutoturo” that unites their voices.

But the true destiny of a parrot is its flock. These are social beings who live in groups and rely on each other. Keeping them isolated—or releasing them without preparation—puts their well-being and lives at risk.

When Pepe took flight and found other parakeets calling to him, his integration was natural. But that is not always the case. Releasing a parrot that has lived in captivity must be a responsible process: gradual rehabilitation, adaptation to the environment, and monitoring. Rehabilitation should include flight training, flock formation, recognition of natural foods, and a progressive adaptation to its surroundings.

For all these reasons, we invite families not to give parrots as gifts. Instead, enjoy watching them free in nature reserves or parks, take part in workshops and volunteer programs, and practice birdwatching. If you want to attract parakeets to your surroundings, plant fruit trees—mango, mamoncillo, plum, guava, banana, hog plum, sapote, depending on the region—and discover which fruits your local species prefer. That way, we help these wonderful birds live in community, free and healthy.

Pepe lives happily with his flock, and David can watch them from his window; both are free. And that’s how it should be: protecting and respecting each individual's freedom.