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When you have a pet, it’s only natural for them to make you want another. That’s how I ended up with three dogs, four birds, several lizards… It just never stops. Pets are awesome, especially when they get along well!

However, getting along well isn’t always the case. When The Parrot Lady brought home a new Parrot to Sweet Pea, a Cockatoo/internet sensation, she was having absolutely none of it. She basically screamed for Mom to take her back:

Sweet Pea has several siblings already, and she has beef with most of them. There’s a Labrador Retriever, Copper, who she considers her bestie, but everyone else really ruffles her feathers. She likes to be the center of attention, and they get in the way of that.

Related: Cockatoo Telling African Grey Parrot to ‘Talk to the Claw’ Is Peak Sibling Behavior

Recently, Wendy rescued another bird: an Eclectus Parrot. She lost one of her other birds, so there was some room, and she loves to save birds whenever she can. The new bird’s name is Ruby, and she’s fitting in pretty nicely.

Well, with everyone except for Sweet Pea, who thinks she’s weird. She doesn’t like anything about her, at least not yet. Hopefully, in time, they’ll learn to get along… But for now, Ruby will be minding her own business, doing whatever this is:

Birds are so weird. It’s one of the reasons I love them! Sweet Pea doesn’t behave this way; she spends a lot of her time just squawking and demanding her mom’s attention. She’s lucky she’s gorgeous!

Cockatoos Aren’t Solitary Birds

If you look at what Sweet Pea is doing to poor Ruby and her other siblings, you might think that Cockatoos just aren’t social birds. Maybe they don’t like having friends?

Cockatoos are actually not solitary animals at all: they’re very flock-oriented. Some evidence even suggests that they’re monogamous and mate for life. However, these birds usually do best around:

• Birds they know or see often.

• Young birds that they know aren’t threatening.

Ruby is new to the home. In time, Sweet Pea will adjust to her being there… Though they might never be best friends. That’s for Copper alone!

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.