In case anyone ever wondered if Cockatoos have feelings, the answer is a resounding yes.
Cockatoos have plenty of emotions.
Tofu is a white Cockatoo with a big heart.
He had zero qualms about letting his emotions show when he finally set eyes on his handler again after being separated.
It was a long few months.
Tofu is a “staff member” of Feathered Follies, an avian-centered pet needs store. But as the pandemic ravaged the country, the store had to make tough choices.
One of which is sending Tofu to a foster home. The move was necessary to make sure that Tofu still gets the best care even though he can no longer stay in the store.
“After the destruction, COVID caused we had to send birds to Foster Homes and pray they were loved and cared for,” Mercedes Kemp said in the caption of a video they shared on YouTube. “Tofu was on that list, and at the time we were not even sure if we could take him back, let alone when that would be.
Tofu became part of the team when he was relinquished to the store.
As Kemp said in the description of the video, many people have misconceptions when it comes to raising cockatoos.
Throughout history, cockatoos together with birds of their species like macaws, parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels are highly favored for their intelligence, charisma, and musicality.
Being a “favorite” also meant they are one of the most relinquished birds. The mimicry and movements may seem cute at first, but cockatoos need a lot of patience and care.
Caring for these birds can be demanding because of their behavior and loud vocalization.
People can get these birds through impulse, then return them when they realize how much work is needed to raise one.
Tofu became a “spokesbird”.
“He was an amazing ambassador and educator, showing everyone who walked in the door how incredible, fun, and smart birds are,” Kemp added in the video’s caption, “but he also opened people up to difficult conversation.”
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She shared that people would often say “I want him.” But in the end, they will also end up abandoning, locking, or relinquishing the bird.
Tofu has since become a “store staff” because they refuse to sell or pass him from home to home.
And as a member of the team, his Feathered Follies family missed him dearly.
Tofu really missed them too.
As Kemp opened his crate, the cockatoo excitedly hopped out and clutched her finger.
His feathered crest perked up and he started bouncing on his handler’s hand.
Tofu was undeniably overjoyed.
He opens his wings and flaps about now and then, but all the while, he kept that big smile on his beak.
Fortunately for Tofu, he’s coming home soon.
As Kemp explained, the foster where they left Tofu brought him in so she could groom and see him.
The store is steadily recovering, which meant they’ll be able to keep Tofu again.
The math being what it is, since Kemp has taken over ownership of the store, that can only mean she has now assumed ownership of Tofu as well.
Of course, we know that in reality, he’s her full-on business partner.
See how Tofu the Cockatoo greets his handler for the first time in months in the video below!
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