Spotting new or unusual animals is one of the most underrated parts of going on vacation. Whether it’s hiking with village dogs in Guatemala or, in this case, befriending a bird in the Maldives, animals can give you a peek into local life you can’t get anywhere else.

For Diana Raczek, a dance teacher for a Maldivian private resort, meeting the wild Cockatoo was one of the most exhilirating experiences she’s had on the island. The curious bird wasted no time claiming her as his new BFF (and even saying hello in English!), but Diana was as shocked as can be about the surprise interaction.

What an amazing way to meet a new friend! Diana seemed taken back by the nosy bird, sure that he was caught in her hair and not trying to win her over, but even she fell in love after hanging out together for a few minutes.

“He’s not caught,” viewer @callmedxc wrote. “You are!” Many Cockatoo parents chimed in to say the very same thing, because what these birds want—they get!

Related: Cockatoo’s Priceless ‘Crash Out’ When His Soccer Team Loses Has Sports Fans Feeling Seen

“I’m sick and tired of this never happening to me,” a commenter named Tracy admitted. No kidding! Special animal interactions are made of pure magic, but it’s rare that someone can both meet and talk to a wild animal. It’s exactly as @kendraguppy09 wrote, “I know a Disney Princess when I see one!”

Why did this curious Cockatoo land on Diana in the first place? Many viewers speculated it was because of her beautiful necklace, since birds are often attracted to shiny things. Whatever it was that brought these two together, there’s no quesiton it was meant to be.

Cockatoos in the Wild

Many people are used to seeing Cockatoos as pets, but it’s important to remember that, like most bird species, they are wild animals, too. Cockatoos are native to the Australasia region, including:

According to the Nature Conservancy Australia, these birds can be found in a variery of habitats, from cities to woodlands and tropical rainforests. They are nosy, talkative parrot species, as Diana learned firsthand, and they’re sure to leave people smiling wherever they go.

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.