An incredible, globe-trotting story unfolded in Torrance, California, when Nigel, a British-owned African Grey parrot, returned to his former owner four years after going missing—with a brand new identity and language. The parrot’s owner, Darren Chick, lost track of Nigel back in 2010. When they were finally reunited in 2014, a dramatic change had taken place: the British accent Nigel once used to chatter was entirely gone, replaced instead by fluent Spanish phrases and communication.

Nigel was discovered by Julia Sperling, a local dog groomer. She was immediately struck by the bird’s unusual behavior, hearing the parrot—a species renowned for its mimicry—squawk common Spanish phrases like “¿Qué pasó?” (What happened?) and even imitate the sound of dogs barking. Sperling, originally from Panama, correctly deduced that the bird must have picked up the new language during his time away. Thanks to the diligent efforts of veterinarian Teresa Micco, who scanned the bird’s microchip and tracked old pet store records, Nigel was eventually traced back to Chick, according to Animals Around the Globe.

However, the story took an unexpected and poignant final twist. Further investigation revealed that Nigel had spent a significant portion of his missing years living with a Guatemalan family, learning Spanish and new habits from the grandfather who had adopted him. Chick, after the initial moment of joy, faced a difficult decision. Recognizing the profound attachment and bond Nigel had formed with his new family, Chick made a selfless and humanitarian gesture: he ultimately returned Nigel to that family. It was a heartwarming resolution, prioritizing the parrot’s happiness and emotional connection over legal ownership, bringing an end to the linguistic adventure.