When a young couple found out they were expecting a baby, their pet cockatoo began to do something unusual: she nestled on the woman’s growing belly, patiently waiting for it to hatch whilst mistaking the baby in the womb for her own egg.
Thirty-year-old Riley and 32-year-old Micah Rushing live in Central Oregon with their 18-month-old daughter and Emma, their 13-year-old pet cockatoo.
When Riley, a stay-at-home mom who is originally from Kansas, was pregnant with her daughter in mid-April of 2021, she experienced Hysterosalpingography and chronic morning sickness.
“I was pretty much bedridden the entire nine months I was pregnant,” Riley told The Epoch Times. “Emma was with me the entire time, cuddling underneath the covers, or sitting on my belly trying to nest. She was very, very supportive and, honestly, she helped us through being so sick and not being able to have a normal pregnancy.”
During Riley’s pregnancy, the umbrella cockatoo—who Micah got six years ago from Craigslist—even went so far as to attempt to build a nest around Riley’s bump, move around it, and then perch on it.
When she felt the baby kick, she would puff up her cheeks as a sign of contentment. When the couple brought their newborn home from the hospital, Emma’s mothering instinct kicked in even further.
“She was so excited,” Riley said. “She actually tried to feed her like she was a baby bird. Of course, we didn’t allow that!”
The first time the bird met the new arrival, as the parents placed the baby girl in the bassinet, Emma was caught puffing up her feathers in what seemed like happiness.
“I think she was surprised our child didn’t have feathers,” Riley said.
Emma attempted to feed the baby as if it was her own. She also tried to sit on her little head as if it were an egg. However, since the baby’s head was too big to sit on, she would just fall asleep next to her instead.
Over the last year, the little girl’s bond with her pet cockatoo has only grown stronger and the two are like siblings.
Riley’s daughter gets really excited when Emma is brought out of her room every morning. Sitting on the tree perch, Emma can witness all that happens in the living room. Here, the little girl and Emma interact with each other and enjoy eating snacks together.
Emma shows her excitement by puffing up and flapping her wings whenever the little girl calls her name, which, according to her parents, is her favorite word.
However, since the little girl is now a toddler and has learned to grab things, the couple has begun to keep her away from Emma since they don’t want her to hurt the bird accidentally.
“But eventually they’ll be able to get closer again,” Riley said.
Emma has been able to fit into the Rushings family perfectly and enjoys being around them as if they were her flock even going on a road trip with them.
Taking the approach that no being should be left in a cage, isolated from the world, the couple takes Emma out at any opportunity they have, stressing that doing so has been good for her development.
“They’re social beings and intelligent,“ Riley said. ”Being left in a cage is going to drive someone crazy. And just like dogs and cats, birds need that stimulation.”
People who encounter the young family with their beloved bird mostly respond with great enthusiasm and excitement, after the initial surprise.
“Usually they’re like, ‘What is this cockatoo doing out in public?’” Riley said. “A lot of parrots can bite and be pretty feisty, but with Emma, she gets really excited to step up onto them. She’ll preen herself on them, give them kisses or say hi, and wave.”
While she’s not the most vocal bird, Emma can say several things including “How’s it going?,” “Pretty bird,” and “I love you.”
While Emma is the sweetest bird you’ll ever meet, the Rushings admit, she does have a “spicy” side, with the potential to be destructive.
