COCKA-TWO legs are better than one, as feathered friend Mr Ben is now finding out.

The previously one-footed cockatoo has been fitted with a 3D-printed prosthetic replacement after an Abingdon rescue centre took him under its wing.

Mr Ben was taken to Charlie’s Angels Parrot Rescue in September last year when his owners could not cope with him any more.

Since then, the rescue centre has been working with Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre, Aylesbury, to create the plastic foot.

Oxford Mail:

Lorraine Hollingworth (pictured), who founded Charlie’s Angels last March, said: “It has been a bit of trial and error.

“He did chew the first prototype off, so we had to make up another one.

“He is now using a second prototype but we know he will eventually chew that one too – so we are working on another to see if we can make it harder to get off.”

Oxford Mail:

When Mr Ben was brought in, the centre noticed his stump was a bit sore so they looked into “padding out his perches”.

They got in touch with vet Steve Smith at the Aylesbury surgery to research what could be done to help the poorly parrot.

Ms Hollingworth, 43, added: “We contacted Steve, who then got in touch with 3D Print UK to work on getting him a new stump.

“We are now at the point where we have the second prototype, which should be a bit more robust.

“Mr Ben loves attention and loves to show off and dance.

“These birds are notorious for screaming and he will scream the words ‘head scratch’ when he wants one.”

Mr Ben, believed to be about eight years old, was originally bought from a pet shop when the family felt sorry for him due to his poorly leg, which was eventually amputated by vets. He was being looked after by the family’s young daughter.

Oxford Mail:

Ms Hollingworth said: “The daughter grew up and went to university, but she couldn’t take Mr Ben.

“He started showing behaviour issues afterwards, because obviously they had bonded, and he started biting.

“They didn’t know what to do, but did the right thing bringing him in.”

The centre is always looking for families happy to rehome birds as well as fostering those while they undergo treatment.

Mr Ben will stay with the rescue centre – which is solely run on donations – and continue as a ‘sponsorship bird’ as he will need ongoing treatment.

Cockatoos are a type of parrot. On average they are larger than others, although less colourful, mainly having white, grey or black feathers.

There are 18 species of cockatoo and some, such as the greater sulphur-crested cockatoo, have lived up to 100 years.

For further details visit the website charliesangelsparrotrescue.co.uk