Now We Know the Real Reason Monique Samuels Got a Pet Bird

Monique Samuels kicked off Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Potomac by introducing us to a new member of her family.

Monique shared in the Season 5 premiere that she had welcomed a new pet bird to her household, an African grey parrot named T'Challa. "Now that I have three kids, I'm constantly being pulled left and right, and I'm trying to figure out how to balance myself," Monique explained in an interview during the episode. "I have always been an animal lover, and I said, 'I need to get a bird.' He's like a stress reliever for me."

We first met T'Challa while he hung out in the kitchen with Monique, her husband, Chris Samuels, and their youngest child, 9-month-old son Chase. Monique gave her parrot a quick potty training lesson, which she noted "is coming along great" because "T'Challa is so smart."

Monique then headed off to see Karen Huger at her new Potomac home with T'Challa perched atop her shoulder. "He always wants to be with me. And him and Chase kind of compete for my attention," Monique said with a laugh during the episode.

As T'Challa got ready to meet Karen for the first time, Monique advised him, "She's the only one I trust, so you've got to be nice to her. And do not try to bite off her wig, OK?"

Though T'Challa was on his best behavior when he arrived at the grande dame's home, Karen seemed to be caught off-guard when he showed up on her doorstep with Monique. Still, ever the hostess, Karen gave Monique and T'Challa a tour of her new home before he stayed in his cage for the rest of their catch-up sesh.

It looks like Karen won't be the last Potomac Housewife to meet T'Challa, as you can see in the above trailer for Season 5 of RHOP, although future introductions might not go as smoothly. 

We haven't really seen any Housewives with pet birds before, and we're not sure why, given how sweet T'Challa seems to be. But in case you're still scratching your head over Monique's new avian friend, she cleared everything up on Twitter as the RHOP Season 5 premiere aired. "I love animals and my hubby wouldn’t let me get a dog so I got a puppy with wings," she explained. "He’s the best pet I’ve ever had honestly. Never knew birds were cuddlers."

Monique isn't the only member of the Samuels squad who is absolutely in love with T'Challa. This parrot has also found a pal in little Chase.

Want more RHOP? New episodes air every Sunday at 9/8c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

Check out what's coming up for Monique on RHOP, below.

Gizelle Bryant and Monique Samuels Try Their Best to Be Friends