Feather degreaser

[CrissCross]

Hello there!

I've had several birds, but never cockatoos, and I just went with my mother-in-law to buy her first bird. Tiki is a stunning, wonderful, 13 year old Umbrella cockatoo. I wouldn't normally advocate for a large parrot as a first-time bird, but she's in her 50s and they took so well to each other right off the bat.

I'll be here for a few months to help her along and answer questions. One question that I couldn't answer, however, is about the grease in his/her (unsure) feathers. I know a while back I saw a product (I believe it was a powder) that you applied, and let it soak up the grease, then washed off.

Does anyone here know what I'm talking about? Is there another product that works better?
Most importantly, are these products safe?

Thank you all!

 

[Kiwibird]

I would start with a good bath! A spritz bottle or shower or even in the sink. Not sure what you mean by 'grease', but be aware white cockatoos are always looking slightly on the grungy side (except maybe the first 20 minutes after a bath). Active, messy (and hopefully well loved) birds who are pristine white show dirt. Parrots who haven't been bathed in a very long time can have matted nasty looking plumage (which is what I'm thinking you may be interpreting as 'greasy') which can take multiple baths to get clean. Do you have pictures of her so we can see what you're talking about?

NEVER use products like a degreaser powder on a parrot. Unless a vet instructs you to do so, never apply anything to their plumage period. Water is all they need.

 

[CrissCross]

She looks clean and beautiful. It's just something I've noticed with all cockatoos, moreso than other parrots, is the grease that stays on your hands after \loving on them. From what I've noticed with other 'toos is that it seems to be paired with their dander.

She's not a huge fan of water, as is somewhat typical, but I was able to coax her into some mist today.

I'm trying to upload my pictures

Thank you!

 

[Allee]

It's so nice of you to help your mother-in-law out with Tiki. What you are describing and the fact that Tiki doesn't seem to want a bath, tells me he may not be accustomed to frequent showers or baths. Most cockatoos are born bathers once they get the hang of it. Warm water in a mist bottle sprayed over them and allowed to fall gently over them will usually encourage them to get wet, raise their wings and play. Starting a vacuum cleaner, or turning on a faucet works for some birds too.