Well, crikey! If this isn’t the most bittersweet scene, then I don’t what is.<\/p>\n
Robert Irwin, son of the late “The Crocodile Hunter” and all-around-nice-guy Steve Irwin, posted a touching video to his TikTok account that has viewers — including me– tearing up. In it, Robert introduces us to Occa, a sulphur-crested Cockatoo<\/a>. But Occa isn’t just any bird<\/a>. This senior Cockatoo was first introduced to the world by Steve, as seen in the clip below.<\/p>\n Occa was one of Steve’s favorite animals, and it’s clear from their darling interaction that Occa feels the same way about Robert. The bird lovingly gives Robert kisses and reacts eagerly to his commands and praise. What is most touching, though, is the uncanny resemblance between Robert and his father, which is undoubtedly not lost on Occa.<\/p>\n As one person insightfully points out in the comments, “Robert is family to that bird. Occa probably thinks of Robert as his child he saw grow up.”<\/p>\n Others agree, and the comments are flooded with people sharing their fond memories of Steve and how moved they are by witnessing the lifelong connection this bird has with the Irwins.<\/p>\n Related: Proud Toddler Feeding Horses Is Giving Us All the Feels<\/a><\/p>\n Can Cockatoos Experience Love?<\/p>\n When it comes to birds<\/a>, few can hold a candle to a Cockatoo’s capacity for affection<\/a>. These birds love nothing more than snuggling into your chest, resting their head on your shoulder, and soaking up every ounce of attention you\u2019re willing to give. There\u2019s a reason they\u2019re nicknamed \u201cVelcro birds\u201d: once they\u2019re attached, they\u00a0stay\u00a0attached. In fact, young cockatoos often need gentle encouragement to be more independent, so they don\u2019t grow into overly needy adults.<\/p>\n A Cockatoo’s high level of intelligence is what allows it to form complex relationships and express feelings beyond simple instinct.\u00a0In the wild, Cockatoos form lifelong pairs, grooming and vocalizing their love to one another. As pets, Cockatoos form powerful attachments with their humans, often choosing one or a few people to adore, as evidenced by Occa and the Irwin family. Several fans of the video commented that Occa even seemed to “speak” with an Australian accent, which may be the case since Cockatoos are capable of mimicking their humans’ words if they spend enough time together. And after sixty years, Occa could very well be an Irwin impersonator.<\/p>\n Cockatoos are lively, affectionate birds with big personalities and even bigger hearts. That closeness is part of their charm\u2014but it also means they require a\u00a0lot\u00a0of time and attention<\/a>. They need mental stimulation, routine, and regular social engagement to truly thrive. For the right person\u2014someone with patience, time, and a sense of humor\u2014a Cockatoo can make for a very loving companion.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc36<\/a>SIGN UP to get \u201cpawsitivity\u201d delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends<\/a>\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc3e<\/a><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade Pets<\/a> on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News<\/a> section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Well, crikey! If this isn’t the most bittersweet scene, then I don’t what is. 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