Cockatoo Pestering Her African Grey Parrot Brother Is Peak Sibling Energy
Anyone with a sibling knows that growing up has its rough times, especially when you feel like your kid sister is pestering you for no reason. Brody, the African Grey Parrot, knows exactly how that feels, as his Cockatoo sister, Sweet Pea, makes it her daily mission to bother him.
Although Brody handles the annoyance pretty well, we all understand how frustrating it can be to not get a moment's peace. In a recent video from @theparrotlady, the African Grey Parrot was minding his own business, building his daily cardboard box fort on the kitchen counter, when his sister decided to perch on the piece he was working on.
@theparrotlady She's a rude bird #cockatoo#rude#funny
The Second Waltz (Op. 99a) - André Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra
The Cockatoo just couldn't resist the temptation to mess with her brother. Even as Mom says, "Sweet Pea, we don't pet Brody when he's working. It's very rude," she stretches out her foot and starts stroking his feathers.
It's a classic "she's touching me" moment, and although Brody seemed to handle it pretty well, his side-eye game was strong. Poor Brody just wanted to spend the afternoon building his cardboard town, alone, without any help, and along comes Sweet Pea, messing up his plans... again!
Related: African Grey Parrot Gets a New Toy and His Sister Requests Earplugs
One TikToker described the scene, saying, "She's patting him on the back, saying good job," while another saw Brody's stink eye and pointed out, "Brody's fight face!"
Why Do Birds Like Playing With Cardboard?
Cardboard boxes provide endless enrichment for birds, and many Parrot parents offer them to keep their feathered friends occupied. The boxes can help with their need to be destructive as well as prevent boredom. Honestly, I think it's comparable to giving a human toddler a water table; it's just something they enjoy and could spend hours playing with.
Of course, just like children, not every bird enjoys playing with cardboard equally, so it's important to find what works best for your individual Parrot.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 9:40 AM.