Cockatoo's Morning Cup of Tea Has Him Smiling Ear to Ear

Cockatoos are like little feathery toddlers. They talk like them, think like them, and they get excited like them, too! It doesn't take much to make a Cockatoo's day. The most important thing to them is knowing that you love them.

Well, most of the time. For one Cockatoo, the most important thing to him is having his morning cup of tea. It's his favorite part of the day! You can tell just by the way he looks at his mug every morning:

@laura_cx90

Merlins choice of cuppa this morning - Chamomile Tea Featuring his personal cup holding slave aka me #cockatoo#parrot#petbird#tea#morningroutine

Here Comes the Sun - Acoustic Duo

Merlin the Cockatoo gets a nice cup of tea every morning in his favorite bird mug. That's his mug: no one else drinks out of it, which is probably for the better. It's the best way to keep everyone, Merlin included, safe!

He has a couple of different flavors he chooses from every day, but chamomile is definitely at the top of his list. His mom brews it in warm water, no sweeteners of any kind. He doesn't drink the whole thing, but he loves his morning ritual! He also really loves that it's bonding time with his mom.

Related: Bratty Cockatoo Meets New Sister and Screams ‘Take Her Back'

His morning cup of tea is really the calm before the storm. After that, the day commences, and he spends the whole day as any Cockatoo would: hooting, hollering, and having fun, as usual. Now that he's settled into his loving home, he can let his true colors shine:

@laura_cx90

By far one of the best decisions ive ever made was to rehome this little terror #rehoming#rescue#cockatoo#cuteanimals#parrot

All the Small Things - Acoustic - Jay Filson

He was rehomed at 14 years old: his previous caretaker ended up being unable to take him when they moved into an assisted living facility. Adjusting to his new life has taken some time, but with a good enough cup of tea, he can conquer anything!

Lots of Birds Love Tea

Merlin is not the only bird in the world who likes to have a morning cup of tea, not even close! This is a ritual that a lot of bird keepers have with their birds, even the smaller ones. Cockatoos in particular really have an affinity for it.

Birds like tea because of its strong flavors, which are usually either very fruity or floral: these are flavors they're used to. Flowers and certain fruits are a big part of a wild Cockatoo's natural diet! If you want to give your Cockatoo a nice cup of tea, make sure it's:

• Either cold or just slightly warm.
• Plain (no sugar, honey, cream, or anything else).
• Caffeine-free.

Steer clear of spiced teas, too: no ginger, nutmeg, or cinnamon notes. Plain chamomile is usually a big hit, just ask Merlin!

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM.