Man Feeds Pet Bird a Tortilla and Regrets It Immediately
Anyone who lives with a parrot knows how hard it is to say no when they beg for a taste of whatever’s on your plate. One curious nibble feels harmless in the moment—until it isn’t. That’s exactly what happened when Junior’s owner let him try a tortilla, only to realize the treat wasn’t sitting right.
The short clip that followed had people online holding their breath. What seemed like a funny snack experiment quickly turned uneasy, leaving viewers torn between laughter, worry, and lessons about how fragile pet health can be when we mix our food with theirs.
A Snack Turns into a Scare
In the video, you can see Junior, the parrot, moving his throat again and again, clearly struggling to shift the tortilla. His owner, who then realized something was wrong, rushed to offer water in hopes it would help. Junior turned his head away and refused.
That only heightened the owner’s panic, and his worry quickly spilled into frustration. He raised his voice and scolded his beloved pet, while begging him to drink. It was clear that he was torn between fear and impatience as Junior continued to resist.
When the cup was pressed closer to the bird, he suddenly flapped his wings and flew off, which signaled how distressed he felt.
The Internet Reaction
Image via Getty Images/AntonioGuillem
Commenters rushed in with alarm. Many asked for updates on Junior’s condition and begged the owner to confirm that he survived. On the other hand, some people criticized the choice to feed tortillas and reminded viewers that bread-like foods expand inside a bird’s crop. Warnings against forcing water also appeared repeatedly, since birds can aspirate if liquid enters their airway.
Expert Insight on Tortillas
Animal care guides agree that tortillas are not immediately toxic, but they lack nutrition and present risks. Homemade corn tortillas without salt or oil cause fewer problems than processed ones, but they still provide no real dietary benefit. Meanwhile, flour tortillas and packaged wraps carry greater danger and can lead to choking, excess sodium, and poor nutrition.
As time passes, birds eating tortillas instead of balanced food face higher chances of obesity, liver problems, and vitamin deficiencies. Their small size makes even tiny portions more impactful than owners expect.
Why Processed Food Harms Birds
Image via iStockphoto/Sergei Pivovarov
Many human snacks create serious health problems for birds. Certain foods, like avocado, chocolate, and caffeinated drinks, can poison them outright, and some can cause slower harm.
For example, garlic and onions irritate their digestive tract, while dairy leads to digestive trouble because birds cannot process lactose. Salty items also strain the kidneys, and fatty foods push cholesterol higher, which raises the risk of heart disease.
Birds may seem eager for these treats, but the damage can be lasting. Junior’s moment with the tortilla gave people online an anxious laugh, but it also served as a teaching moment. Keep in mind that birds thrive on fresh, nutrient-dense foods, and tortillas only belong on a human plate, not in a parrot’s crop.