Five years ago, Sweet Pea was a broken soul—an umbrella cockatoo listed on Craigslist by a family that no longer wanted her. She was nearly bald from stress, had an untreated injury that left her unable to fly, and was quietly suffering from undiagnosed seizures. She was, in every sense, unwanted.

But one woman saw her differently.

Wendy Albright, known as The Parrot Lady on social media, spotted the ad and was immediately drawn in. “It was heartbreaking,” she recalled. She picked up the phone, met Sweet Pea in person—and within minutes, the bird clung to her as if she’d been waiting for her forever. “It was so organic and pure,” Albright said. That same day, she took Sweet Pea home.

Sweet Pea’s challenges didn’t end there. Soon after arriving at her new home in Boise, Idaho, she began having seizures. Albright, determined to help, took her across state lines to see a specialist in Utah. The diagnosis was serious, but treatment began—and over time, something beautiful happened.

Sweet Pea healed.

Her feathers grew back. Her seizures were managed. Her spirit returned. “She is doing 100 percent better,” Albright shared. And even more than that—Sweet Pea began to shine.

Now about 25 years old, Sweet Pea has blossomed into a loving, expressive, and hilarious bird. She’s developed a reputation for being sassy—earning her the nickname Drama Mama after once faking a limp to get a treat. She adores her dog sibling, Copper the black Lab, and even mimics his bark, much to the amusement of guests.

But her heart might be her most remarkable feature.

Sweet Pea instinctively connects with people, adjusting her energy to theirs. One touching moment came when she met a boy on the autism spectrum. Known for being high-energy, she instead approached him gently, cooing softly and simply sitting beside him. “She meets everyone where they are,” Albright explained. “It’s like she can feel their emotional energy.”

No matter how long Albright has been gone, Sweet Pea greets her like a loyal puppy—hopping, bobbing, and chirping with joy. Their bond is deep, lasting, and transformative.

Parrots like Sweet Pea are among the most rehomed pets in the world due to their long lifespans and complex needs. Albright is working to change that. “I’m looking forward to the day where they’re not traded or sold,” she says. She advocates for adoption over purchase—because sometimes, in saving a life, you find your own saved too.

“I didn’t save Sweet Pea,” Albright said.
“She saved me.”