Berritxu, the parrot that charmed the internet and vanished for good

The story of Berritxu, the talking parrot that won over social media

What made an African grey parrot from San Sebastián become a viral phenomenon and then disappear into a tree in the Igueldo neighborhood? The answer has to do with years of hand-rearing, an almost human bond with his owner, and an urban environment hostile to a cage-raised animal.

Last May, an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) named Berritxu escaped from his home in Donostia. The news spread like wildfire across social media and local outlets because this was no ordinary parrot. His owner, a woman known as Txaro, had spent years hand-raising him, achieving an uncommon level of verbal communication. According to bird enthusiasts, a parrot raised with imprinting – fed from chickhood and intensively socialized for two months – can multiply its emotional and economic value compared to standard breeder birds, which fetch around 700 euros. To his trinc, Berritxu was one of a kind.

The real value of a trained parrot

The market for talking parrots has its own rules. Breeder chicks without imprinting tend to be antiestéticarful and aggressive; months of constant care give them a confidence that translates into mimicry skills and sociability. In Berritxu's case, his owner taught him not just words but phrases and contexts – including the famous mentions of «el señor» and «Charo» – that made everyone who heard them laugh. That kind of work has no catalog price, but it does carry an opportunity cost: those who know parrots estimate that such a bird could fetch several thousand euros on the specialized market.

But it's the sentimental value that really matters. His owner described Berritxu as a member of the family, and his loss triggered a wave of solidarity online. Still, some experts warn: a parrot raised indoors, used to flying only in small spaces, lacks the survival skills needed to cope with the street. Cats, cars, birds of prey and the absence of reference points to find his way home make him easy prey.

First escape: hope and social media

When Berritxu escaped the first time, the response was intense. Posters, videos and appeals were shared on TikTok. Residents of Igueldo and the surrounding area joined the search. The story even reached outlets such as Noticias de Gipuzkoa and Diario Vasco. Eventually, the parrot was spotted perched in a tree in the Igueldo neighborhood. His relieved owner managed to get him back. But the story didn't end there.

Second escape: the fatal outcome

A few days later, Berritxu escaped again. This time there was no happy ending. Witnesses saw him in a tree, but before they could rescue him, a bird of prey – probably a falcon or a seagull – carried him off. Debates among bird experts pointed out that a clumsy parrot with no experience of the natural world stands little chance against an aerial predator. Heartbroken, his owner confirmed that the bird was gone for good.

The parallel case of Kiko: administrative seizure

Amid the discussion over Berritxu's loss, the case of Kiko came to light – a grey parrot owned by a 75-year-old retiree which the regional government had «expropriated», according to the woman, forcing her to pay for its care even after it had been taken away. The story, which circulated in some media on November 4, 2025, added a bureaucratic twist to the debate: how far does the right to keep exotic pets with CITES documentation go?

Lessons from a disappearance

The tragic story of Berritxu is a reminder that wild animals raised in captivity are not toys. Their intelligence and mimicry make them fascinating companions, but also vulnerable creatures outside their controlled environment. His owner spent years teaching him; the environment denied him seconds to survive. As one observer quipped: «The parrot went out for cigarettes and never came back». Except this time there was no coming back.