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With so many amazing pets on social media, it’s easy to forget that some of them didn’t get the best start in life. They may be thriving now, but so many rescues had to put in the work of healing past traumas to fully accept their new, happy endings.

This perfectly describes Sweet Pea, one of the most precious rescued Cockatoos on the internet. But of all the videos her mom has shared of the sweet girl being her sweet self, it’s important to remember how things began.

As captioned, some stories DO have happy endings, and Sweet Pea has one of them. Despite beginning her journey of becoming sick with a mysterious illness that affected her ability to walk—followed by losing the few feathers she had—this resilient bird fought hard to find the spark she lost through it all.

You don’t have to know Sweet Pea’s entire journey to see how brave and strong this Cockatoo is, and so much of it has to do with the bond she has with her new mom. A little love goes a long way with any rescued pet, and this amazing bird is proof.

Related: Cockatoo’s ‘Midday Rant Session’ Is an Adorable Monday Mood

Though Mom never did get an official diagnosis as to what Sweet Pea was going through, she regained her zest for life. It’s the reason her more than 1.1 million TikTok followers tune in for the latest update every day. There are a lot of cool, entertaining, sweet, and funny Cockatoos on the web, but Sweet Pea is truly in a league of her own.

You wouldn’t think responding to a Craigslist ad about a Cockatoo for adoption would turn into this. Sweet Pea, with all her adorable quirks, was meant to find her mom, and I think the feeling is mutual.

How Much Time Do Cockatoos Need To Adjust to a New Home?

Much like any rescued cat or dog, Cockatoos joining a new family need approximately two to three months to fully adjust and let their personalities shine through. The general rule of thumb is 3-3-3: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to get used to the home, family, and routines, and 3 months to settle in.

It can take some longer, especially if they had a less-than-happy past, but these intelligent and sensitive souls need to know they’re safe through consistency, patience, and love—all of which worked in helping a devoted Sweet Pea heal and find hope and happiness again.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.