A TikTok video of a parrot politely asking for forgiveness after biting his owner—and then requesting to watch his favorite musical Hamilton—has captured the internet's heart, racking up more than 5.5 million views in just 24 hours.
In the September 15 clip shared to @furbythebirb, 16-year-old umbrella cockatoo called Furby is shown sitting inside his cage and softly says, "I sorry to bite," to his owner Robin, who is filming. Robin replies, "I know you're sorry, but my finger hurts really badly, and I don't want another bite."
"He is usually a very sweet bird, but he has a spicy side!" Robin, 45, told Newsweek. "He has his own opinions and we've cultivated his life according to his preferences."
Robin points out that bites are not uncommon for parrots, she said: "Birds go through hormone season and molting twice a year. This season has been especially bad—many other owners have commented the same."
Understanding Parrot Behavior
Parrots exhibit seasonal hormonal behavior, often in spring or when indoor heating mimics breeding conditions, according to Birdline UK Parrot Rescue. Even as pets, they retain wild instincts—forming pair bonds and displaying natural mating behaviors.
Without understanding these instincts, owners may see aggression or signs of sexual frustration, which can sometimes lead to rehoming. Experts recommend knowing a parrot's hormone cycle and adjusting care during breeding season to reduce stress and confusion.
After making his heartfelt apology, Furby sweetly asked to watch his favorite film, Hamilton—the 2020 live stage recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical that dramatizes the life and legacy of U.S. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop, R&B and traditional show tunes.
But he is unable to watch the film if he continues biting, as explained by Robin in the video. Furby responds, "I want to watch him," followed by "it's going to work." When she reiterates that "no biting equals Hamilton."
Robin, who lives in northeast Ohio, said Furby has a carefully curated daily lineup of shows.
"He absolutely loves Hamilton the musical. He dances, sings and shouts during the movie," she said. "Hamilton has been on that list ever since he first watched it five years ago with my husband.
"Other must-watch shows include Sesame Street and the game show The Price Is Right. He absolutely loves Hamilton the musical. He dances, sings and shouts during the movie.
"If I show him a picture of the real Hamilton, he doesn't believe me—because, obviously, Lin-Manuel Miranda is Hamilton."
Robin added that after nearly a decade of living with Furby, his intelligence still amazes her.
TikTok Reacts
Furby's charming performance has sparked an outpouring of affection online. The video has already collected over 495,000 likes and more than 9,300 comments.
The official Hamilton TikTok account chimed in, writing: "grabs popcorn we need the update!"
One amused commenter joked, "Hamilton is his second favorite thing—the first is 1000 [percent] biting." Another wrote: "It's actually scary because he clearly has some sort of understanding with what you say and is responding appropriately. He is VERY smart, even for a parrot. Usually they just mimic words or have a queue to say them but he's having an actual conversation."
A fourth fan defended the feathered fan: "Okay, but he needs Hamilton more than you need fingers, AND he said he was sorry."