Two very different parrots became best friends (5 photos + 1 video)

Friends can be very different in appearance, the main thing is to coincide in character, like these two very different but friendly parrots.





A musk lorikeet and Banks's mourning cockatoo (black cockatoo) have become unexpected friends at a wildlife sanctuary in Australia. Raphael, the lorikeet, and George, and George, the black cockatoo, became buddies despite their huge size difference.



The number of Banks' cockatoos in the wild is gradually declining, but the speed of this decline, combined with the large area of its range, does not give grounds for the International Union for Conservation of Nature to consider this species vulnerable. For this reason, it has the status of a safe species in the Red Book.

Greg Irons, director of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, described the birds' relationship as "love at first sight" and added: "I can't say I've ever seen a relationship like this between species."



Irons said birds of different subspecies tend to have mixed feelings about each other, but Raphael and George exceeded expectations and surprised the entire staff. “The sanctuary staff expected them to form a close relationship when they first started living together, but they surprised us,” Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary staff wrote on social media.

“We're not entirely sure what brought them together, but they became inseparable! Wherever George goes, Rafael is not far behind him. They can often be seen together: how they sleep, huddled together, or talk loudly to guests passing by."

Staff tried to introduce George to other cockatoos, but the bird showed more interest in people. Rafael also had difficulty making friends with the other pets at the sanctuary. But when George and Rafael met, their connection was immediate.



"I always have to stop and look at them when they're cuddling together because they're so happy," Irons told ABC Net.



Irons added that Raphael is probably a little more attached to George, and the little bird often takes refuge under George's wing. But Irons also saw George "sneaking up to hug his friend on a cold night, too." So touching!