A PARROT with a penchant for pop singer Shakira has been given a second chance of life at a Bicester vets.

African Grey parrot Gracie was found being sold at a car boot sale.

Despite being snapped up by a caring owner who felt sorry for her, the exotic bird soon fell ill without the expert care needed for its species.

She was taken to the Vets4Pets surgery in Launton Road, Bicester, in November and immediately hospitalised.

Veterinary surgeon Maria Bovis said: “Gracie come to us as a patient after she had become very unwell.

“At that time she was a very non-sociable bird with hypocalcemia [a calcium deficiency] and feather plucking.”

The surgery, which also has a base in Buckingham, said after a number of tests fears were confirmed that the 10-year-old African Grey was showing signs of kidney failure, a ‘worrying’ respiratory condition and her calcium levels were seriously low due to not having enough exposure to natural or simulated sunlight.

But after a course of daily antibiotics, calcium injections, dietary changes and UVB lighting Gracie is almost back to full health and has taken up a post at the surgery reception.

The parrot was adopted as the surgery’s very own pet after her owners were so impressed with the rapid recovery helped by the busy and stimulating practice they asked if she could stay.

Staff said she has become a big hit with customers who she greets on their way in.

She can often be heard asking the vets ‘What are you doing?’ to which they rather comically respond religiously.

Ms Bovis said: “Gracie now lives in our Bicester practice and spends her day by reception where she enjoys meeting customers and clients.

“She comes out of her cage when she is in the back of the surgery to fly around.

“She isn’t quite fully recovered but is making good progress.

“She has become more sociable and loves to dance to music, Shakira is her favourite.”

The Vets4Pets surgery said Gracie has show huge improvements in her health and behaviour since being hospitalised and asher health improved so too did her demeanour and vocalisation.

She has since thrived in the surgery and become such a hit with visitors she received her own Christmas presents and has been spotted on Twitter under the hashtag #GorgeousGracie.