I need Help with my Nephew Cockatoo?

Question

I need help with my nephew Billy’s Cockatoo Bird. This is not a joke. Peaches started to eat his body. My sister Lauren took the bird to the Vet, and they gave the bird sedatives to calm him down, however I saw the bird today and it is getting worse. The only recent change in the household is they bought two little birds a month ago the birds are in a different room in the house, they chirp all day long, and also my Father their Grand Father also died in the house a month ago. I feel bad for the children but I don’t think Peaches looks so good. She is mutilating his body. Any answers greatly appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless

Answer 1

Ouch! Sounds like the bird is literally stressing here.
You say they recently got to birds but have them in a different room and that the grandfather recently died? Was the bird really attached to the grandfather? Did he talk to her a lot, interact with her etc? Is everyone in the house acting more depressed than normal? Ignoring the bird some because of their depression? Birds; like most animals can pick up on changes in their owners, happy,sad,angry,scared you name it the animal can actually react to these changes. It's not uncommon for a bird to become depressed if it looses a mate or a best friend ( friend could be a human companion or even another pet in the house ). If the sedatives the vet gave your sister have not helped several things need to be done. First, talk with the vet again, if this is someone who is not KNOWLEDGEABLE in Parrots or Birds in general find a Vet who is and take the bird to them. Many small animal vets only have a limited knowledge on how to care for more exotic animals like rabbits, birds, guinepigs etc. You need to make certain this vet is highly knowledgeable in the Avian field and if not ask them if they can point you to a good vet who specializes in Avian care. Second, when they brought in the other birds, did they place them in the room with peaches ever or just place them in a separate room from day one? You might want to suggest to your sister to placing the new birds in the same room with Peaches and see if Peaches will interact with them in some way. Talking to, whistling watching etc. IF the plucking gets worse remove the other cage of birds if it becomes better you might want to move the cage slightly closer to Peaches cage ( not close enough that if Peaches is out she will decide to go climbing on the other cage that could be a potential for a problem there). Third; try removing any and all potential stress factors from the room, TV, RADIO, CHILDREN, Your sister and her husband, Any Noise that could possibly stress the parrot and then COVER the cage only uncovering a bit of it to feed and water her and talk softly to her.
The only other suggestion if have is for you to intervene and take the bird into your home, a new environment, change of scenery might do Peaches some good too.
Please, e-mail me to let me know how Peaches is doing.. [e-mail]

Answer 2

First of all, what kind of cockatoo?? Is it a Moluccan? Kinda sounds that way from the name. Anyways... cockatoos are wonderful birds but need a TON of time. They can't be cage birds. Unless your nephew spends a good portion of his time interacting in some way, the bird will start to pluck its own feathers. This is the most common sign of stress in birds.
Adding 2 birds to the household is a HUGE change to this bird, no matter how far apart you house them. Cockatoos love all the attention and will get jealous, they are extremely intelligent.
The loss of your father is probably a great one if he interacted with the bird. Is there one person Peaches is attached to? That's usually what they do, bond with a particular family member.
As for diet, what are they feeding it? Although this does sound like a behavioural problem, it's always good to make sure that fresh fruits and veggies are being fed along with pellets.
If the problem gets worse, there are bird behaviourists that you can contact. These changes are definitely enough to disrupt Peaches' routine and make him/her pluck.
Feel free to contact me if you wish, and good luck!

Answer 3

I'm very sorry for you and for the bird. I would suggest you talk with an avian vet. I have a rescue umbrella cockatoo that belonged to an elderly gentleman. Another person rescued the bird first and had the bird for 2 years trying to acclimate it. The bird screamed continually. We've had her for about 5-6 years now and she is still a screamer but I promised the person I would keep her and she is great company for our other cockatoo. Even though she still screams somewhat, she is apparently happier here because she is not so anxious, takes new foods and some other negative behaviors have changed. The previous owner is welcome to come see her and has been here several times. Cockatoos need to be hugged and handled every day.

Answer 4

I suppose the ones Cockatoo's are seeking to hold the ones two women alive.They each love the sound the ones birds are making and consequently hold them alive. The women duvet the cage up at night time so the cuckatoo's can sleep to be able to be exposed as soon as once more to sing. They recognize they wont reside lengthy for much longer however they are going to get to listen to their coos from their caged cockatoo's. You can hold a music alive on your center however you cant dying. Lovely poem.. And i suppose i learn this maybe 50 occasions .

Answer 5

I have an African Grey. We went on vacation a couple years ago. When we got home, she had pulled out all her feathers, including tail feathers. The vet gave her a shot of vitamin B and antibotics. I have had to put her on antibotics a couple times since.

The next time I go on vacation, guess we have to take her too. LOL....

I would take your bird to the vet, give her new toys, change her cage around, different kinds of food, fruits & vegtables.
Leave TV and or radio on. Talk to her. Good luck.

Answer 6

Cockatoo's are regulars for plucking or pulling feathers when they are bored. Cockatoo's need a lot of attention. I would take him in to a vet and get him checked out make sure there is no infection. They can put a cone on his head so he won't do it for a while till he can get healed.

Answer 7

Well first off, I am sorry for your loss. The bird is taking it harder than you are. This is very common. When birds grow attached to people and the person dies, they usually tear out their feathers or in this case will bite themselves. This happens not only when their owner dies but when another bird they know dies (they become VERY attached). I honestly do not know how to help them except to hold them and help them realize it is ok and that they are in a place where they will be loved and accepted. The bird is mourning the loss of her owner and she is taking it out on herself. It may sound odd, but it does happen.

Answer 8

You have a nephew, whose a cocatoo?

But seriously, I don't much about birds.But it's my guess, is Cockatoos are sensitive to serious changes, such as death.If anyrhing, it's jelaous of the other birds.