When Wendy Albright stumbled upon a Craigslist advert 5 years in the past, she didn’t count on it will result in a life-changing bond with a 25-year-old umbrella cockatoo named Candy Pea. The advert described a fowl who was not needed by her household. Candy Pea was in poor situation, lacking most of her feathers as a consequence of stress and affected by a wing damage that meant she would by no means fly once more. For Albright, who is thought on-line as The Parrot Woman, the state of affairs was heartbreaking—and it moved her to behave instantly.
Candy Pea’s story is a strong instance of how a bit of kindness and dedication can remodel a life. Parrots, particularly umbrella cockatoos, are among the many most rehomed pets on the planet. Their lengthy lifespans and complicated emotional wants usually result in abandonment or neglect. In Candy Pea’s case, her earlier atmosphere had left her bodily and emotionally scarred. However from the second she met Albright, one thing shifted. As Albright recalled to The Dodo, “She clung to me and that was that.”
Candy Pea went house with Albright that very day. It wasn’t lengthy, nevertheless, earlier than Albright observed one thing troubling. The fowl started having seizures, which Albright suspected had gone untreated for years. Decided to offer the very best care attainable, she consulted a number of veterinarians and finally traveled from Boise, Idaho, to Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, to see an avian specialist. The trouble paid off. With correct therapy, Candy Pea’s well being started to enhance considerably.
Immediately, Candy Pea is sort of unrecognizable from the delicate fowl she as soon as was. Her feathers have largely grown again, her seizures are below management, and her demeanor has softened. “It’s like evening and day from once I first bought her,” Albright shared. Candy Pea has turn into calmer, extra trusting, and deeply affectionate towards these round her.
Probably the most touching elements of Candy Pea’s character is her capacity to attach with individuals on a deeply emotional stage. Albright described a latest encounter between the cockatoo and a younger boy on the autism spectrum. Identified for her energetic and generally loud conduct, Candy Pea stunned everybody by approaching the boy quietly and gently. “She got here utterly right down to his stage and walked as much as him very quietly and simply sat subsequent to him and cooed to him,” Albright stated. It was a second that spoke volumes concerning the fowl’s emotional intelligence and capability for empathy.
Candy Pea’s attraction doesn’t cease there. Her playful facet has additionally come to mild, incomes her the affectionate nickname Drama Mama. In a single occasion, after being denied a deal with, she pretended to limp—clearly attempting to win sympathy. She shares a very shut bond together with her canine sibling, a black Labrador named Copper. The 2 are sometimes seen collectively in Albright’s social media posts, and Candy Pea has even picked up on some canine habits, together with barking like her furry buddy. These moments not solely spotlight her intelligence but in addition her vibrant character.
The connection between Albright and Candy Pea is very heartwarming. Irrespective of how lengthy they’ve been aside, Candy Pea greets her human with unbridled pleasure, hopping towards her and bobbing her head in pleasure. “She simply loves unconditionally,” Albright stated. It’s a sentiment that resonates with many pet homeowners, nevertheless it feels significantly poignant given Candy Pea’s troublesome previous.
For these unfamiliar with parrot adoption, Candy Pea’s journey presents a compelling case for why these birds deserve extra consciousness and compassion. Parrots can dwell for many years and require a stage of care and emotional engagement that many individuals underestimate. Albright, who actively promotes adoption over shopping for, hopes for a future the place parrots are not traded or bought. Her work as The Parrot Woman isn’t just about sharing lovable clips and tales—it’s about advocacy and schooling.
I discovered this element putting: Albright doesn’t see herself as Candy Pea’s savior. As a substitute, she believes the fowl saved her. That perspective provides one other layer of depth to their story, emphasizing the mutual therapeutic that may happen in human-animal relationships.
Candy Pea’s transformation—from an undesirable, injured parrot to a joyful, expressive companion—reminds us of the profound affect that love, endurance, and correct care can have. Her story isn’t just about restoration; it’s about resilience and the gorgeous connections that may kind after we open our hearts to these in want.
![[Time Trowel] The world on the Media Noche desk](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/12/The-World-on-the-Media-Noche-Table.jpg "[Time Trowel] The world on the Media Noche desk")
