do you see anything wrong with this bird??

[crimson]

I have an opportunity to go check this bird out on sunday.
the lady who owns this female cockatiel told me she turns 1 year in November,and is not banded.

the first thing that stuck out for me was around the birds eyes....why are there no feathers there??....she reminds me of what Puff looked like when I rescued him, no feathers around the eyes.
she also looks tired or bored, which one?
is it me, does this bird look ok, or not??


Image_zps0a0c0812.jpg Photo by bmckellar735 | Photobucket

 

[Blancaej]

I'm no cockatiel expert as I don't own one, but she does look a little rough. Looks like she needs a little TLC!

 

[Niner10Tango]

One thing I can say is that poor cockatiel is living in filth. Poor thing! I do agree that the feathers around the eyes don't seem right. The only thing I can suggest is when you do check out the tiel see how active and alert it is.

 

[crimson]

yeah, well it's an hour away, two hours on the road in total, and plenty of gas....I do agree she looks rough, god knows I don't need another bird that is sick, or looks sick.

they want $140.00 for her, something is not right with her.
I also checked her feet(I enlarged the photo on my mac) and they look dry, very dry.
I think this bird appears to be deficient in a lot of things, or something else is going on.
....why me??

 

[MikeyTN]

I'm heading home early...let me view it on my computer where I can see a bigger image. Let you know in a bit..

 

[MikeyTN]

IF you can get her, she would be a good specimen!!! She looks like a Whiteface Cinnamon Lutino Pearl....Her eyes look a bit plucked to me, was she kept with other birds???? I would definitely check her closely in person to really know.

 

[crimson]

I know Mike....that's what I thought too,

do birds pluck around other birds eyes??. I was thinking she's been scratching them, which would result in no feathers around the eyes.
I know, I'm just speculating, I'm really on the fence on this one, I just wish she looked better, I don't want any existing problems.

It's one thing to purchase a bird that looks ok, health wise, and then have an health issue come up, but to purchase a bird that potentially looks ill, or "not quite right", just isn't for me -- (unless you are rescuing it of course)...just like I did with Puff.

they are asking $140.00 for her, which I won't pay due to her condition....guess I could go and see her, then I'll get a better idea, unless I find a bird at the bird show tomorrow!!
still on the fence....

 

[Blancaej]

Even if she was healthy, I think $140 is way high. She defiantly does not look like she has been well cared for. Poor thing.

 

[MikeyTN]

She's a bit over priced....but her coloration is not easy to come by!

 

[SpotsandSally]

Could you make a lower offer, explains she needs to be checked by a vet, you need new toys, cage, etc. (assuming she doesn't come with them). Explain you already spent a bit on the gas to come get her.
They might be ok with that knowing she'll be we'll taken care of, though if they've already been taking poor care....
Best of luck

 

[ct92404]

I also agree that it looks like there could be something going on with the feathers around her eyes. But it's really hard to say without seeing her in person. It's worth it to go and check her out. But look carefully for any signs of illness like if her nose is running, if she has her feathers puffed out a lot (although if she also yawns, then puffed feathers could just mean she's tired and wants to sleep). Try to watch her from a little bit of distance and see if she eats and how active she is.

Hopefully it's just a bad picture because of bad lighting, etc and she's okay. But trust your intuition. When you see her in person and if she doesn't look quite right, then don't get her. You might just be setting yourself up for a lot of heartache. I personally could never adopt a bird that is already sick and hope to cure it. I mean, I love animals and I want to help a needy one but if you do everything you can and the animal still dies, that would be heartbreaking. That's just too much emotional stress that I couldn't handle. I've already lost too many pets.

So just check the bird out, and then make a good informed decision after that. Good luck, and I hope everything works out for you either way.

 

[Luffbox]

Filthy cage, inadequate perches, possible facial scratching due to either stress, fungal infection or sinus infection. More than likely malnourished and definitely underweight. I would check the bird out in person and if she is in fact not living up to standard I'd suggest calling the spca.