The Foul-Mouthed Parrots of Lincolnshire: Britain’s Most Hilariously Rude Birds
Move over, Big Ben — the true British icons are squawking at people in Lincolnshire… with profanity.
If you’re planning a visit to Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, brace yourself — and your children — for a cheeky surprise. Among the park’s feathered residents live a gang of parrots with mouths (or rather, beaks) that would make a sailor blush.
Yes, we’re talking about the infamous swearing parrots of Lincolnshire, a group of African grey parrots who’ve become social media sensations for their colorful vocabulary. These birds don’t just mimic innocent chatter — they drop f-bombs, hurl insults, and cackle like villains after delivering the perfect burn.
How Did the Parrots Learn to Swear?
Like most great British scandals, it started with five birds and a bit of boredom.
In 2020, the wildlife park adopted a group of African greys — named Billy, Tyson, Eric, Jade, and Elsie — who had picked up some salty language from their previous owners. Rather than quieting down, these birds egged each other on (pun intended). One would swear, the others would laugh. A few weeks later, they had an entire routine — and the zookeepers couldn’t stop them.
“It just went ballistic. They were all swearing. We were a bit concerned about the children,” said Steve Nichols, the park’s chief executive, in a now-viral interview.
Visitors Can’t Get Enough
Despite initial fears, the parrots quickly became a hit. Videos of them yelling obscenities like “You fat [expletive]!” or greeting visitors with a jolly “Oi! [bleep] off!” started circulating online, turning them into unlikely celebrities.
Searches for “swearing parrots UK” and “Lincolnshire rude birds” skyrocketed. Tourists started arriving just to hear the feathery comedians in action — though staff sometimes had to shuffle them away from the main viewing areas during family hours.
Why African Grey Parrots Swear So Well
African greys are among the most intelligent bird species in the world. They can mimic human speech with eerie accuracy, including tone and inflection. If you cuss around them, they remember — and repeat it for years.
In fact, studies show they mimic language not just for fun, but for social bonding. So yes, when these birds tell you to “bugger off,” they may actually be trying to make friends — in their own twisted way.
What the Park Did About It
Initially, the park tried to separate the parrots to stop them from encouraging each other. But, like rebellious teens on detention, they only got louder. In the end, the team leaned into the chaos — letting the birds be birds, as long as they’re not near school trips.
They’ve even created swear-free zones and adult-only tours, so everyone can enjoy the hilarity — or avoid it.
Why the Internet Loves These Birds
In a world full of polished influencers and airbrushed perfection, there’s something refreshingly honest about a parrot yelling “knobhead” at a stranger and then cackling at its own joke. These birds are unfiltered, unapologetic, and uniquely British.
They’ve got:
- TikTok in stitches
- Facebook users sharing clips like wildfire
- And YouTubers turning their foul-mouthed rants into reaction videos
Plan Your Visit — But Mind Your Language!
Thinking of visiting the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park? Whether you’re a bird lover, a curious tourist, or just want to hear a parrot say something you’d be embarrassed to repeat at a family dinner, this bizarre but brilliant experience awaits.
Just don’t take it personally when a grey blur shouts, “Oi! Wanker!” on your way in.
