Pascal & TiPunch
ph. Lucas Charrier
story by Serena Evely
Pascal lives with his partner, his three children, and TiPunch (named after the famous "vitamin drink"), an omnipresent parrot. Apart from the two cats, TiPunch has already bitten everyone in the house who tries to get hold of Pascal: the parrot refuses to share.
The gift of ubiquity
"TiPunch is terribly jealous. He bites anyone who dares to come near me when he sits on my shoulder: I am his perch. When we are at home he spends all his time with us, he sits near or on our shoulders. He settles on whoever is lounging so he can sleep in the warmth, always accompanies whoever is eating or cooking and wants to taste everything, especially if it is not recommended or forbidden for parrots (chocolate, meat, butter, coffee...)."
State of siege
"TiPunch - who was almost called Charlie, a name my son found to be too "classic" - is curious (he is interested in everything), persistent and stubborn (when he has an idea in mind, it is impossible to make him deviate), and hyperactive (exhausting). His very pronounced character, strong demand for companionship, and interest in all our activities make him a very imposing animal. But also much more endearing than I would have imagined when I bought him: I saw him for sale, perched on his branch at the bird market on the Ile de la Cité and, after having discussed with the seller, I left with TiPunch without having intended to buy him when I arrived."
Faithful to the task
"It is funny that I got so attached to this little animal (only 67g). I take him on my shoulder when I do quick errands. I try to take him out because he likes it, but I'm still afraid he will get lost in the city because of the noise, the crowds, the other birds (the crows, magpies or seagulls that fly over him terrorise him: being prey is part of his genes). But during long walks in the forest of Fontainebleau where he follows me, flying from tree to tree, it is amazing to see him free, enjoying the space to fly at full speed and coming back to my shoulder despite this joy and this freedom.”
