Get well wishes for sulphur crested Cockatoo

[noodles123]

Yes it looks to me like that syringe ain’t gonna be big enough, the way he’s gulping his food down! If that vet clinic is open pre-Christmas you might be able to get a feeding spoon from them. And you can get bigger syringes from the chemist for about 50 cents each, I get them for Fang’s heart meds if I run out. The way these orphans keep finding their way to your place you’d better stock up on as much paraphernalia as you can get

Unfortunately I didn’t think of that when I went out today. The food seems to be going down well, Most of it goes down the rest goes around his face! he’s certainly perked up a lot so must have got some in him
I can pick up a bigger syringe on Monday.
He does pick around at some seed, and he’s eaten some broccoli. So he can eat solid foods but must like still being a baby. A big baby! Maybe 6-8 months old?

He voluntarily climbed onto my hand for me to feed him just now.
He’s now asleep on top of the cage. Going to give him some soaked pellets when he wakes up and then put him to bed

In the wild, cockatoos stay with their parents for a freakishly long amount of time compared to other parrots. There have been accounts of parents still trying to feed 3-4 year olds (even when they were totally independent eaters and didn't need it).

 

[T00tsyd]

It seems you have been adopted. He is probably very relieved, and you look very happy too (no pun intended). Being outside might remind him of his wild state but also remind him how uncomfortable his time outside was last time.

 

[HannahandSunny]

We’ve got him in the bedroom tonight as we didn’t want to disturb him with the TV.
I’ve just got in bed and he is fast asleep with his head under his wing making the cutest sleeping noises, well it’s a bit creepy but also adorable, like he’s dreaming or something. I don’t think it’s bad breathing or anything? Just sounds like his baby croaking squeaky noises but a sleeping version!

That’s really interesting noodles about they often staying with their parents a long time!

 

[noodles123]

We’ve got him in the bedroom tonight as we didn’t want to disturb him with the TV.
I’ve just got in bed and he is fast asleep with his head under his wing making the cutest sleeping noises, well it’s a bit creepy but also adorable, like he’s dreaming or something. I don’t think it’s bad breathing or anything? Just sounds like his baby croaking squeaky noises but a sleeping version!

That’s really interesting noodles about they often staying with their parents a long time!

I should be a little more clear on that---many stay with their birth flock (including their parents) their whole lives, but I was reading a book that discussed accounts of some wild cockatoo parents being super obsessed with "motherhood" (to the point of trying to feed their grown young/treating them like babies) well past baby-hood lol.

If he is a year or younger though, he's very much a baby.

Not sure about those sounds you described- google baby cockatoo sounds maybe? If his tail isn't bobbing and you don't notice them constantly then I don't imagine that they are indicative of a breathing issue. He sounds like he is pretty comfortable with you, so you could take him back to that vet that Sunny visited a few times and maybe he could give you better answers.

 

[HannahandSunny]

We’ve got him in the bedroom tonight as we didn’t want to disturb him with the TV.
I’ve just got in bed and he is fast asleep with his head under his wing making the cutest sleeping noises, well it’s a bit creepy but also adorable, like he’s dreaming or something. I don’t think it’s bad breathing or anything? Just sounds like his baby croaking squeaky noises but a sleeping version!

That’s really interesting noodles about they often staying with their parents a long time!

I should be a little more clear on that---many stay with their birth flock (including their parents) their whole lives, but I was reading a book that discussed accounts of some wild cockatoo parents being super obsessed with "motherhood" (to the point of trying to feed their grown young/treating them like babies) well past baby-hood lol.

If he is a year or younger though, he's very much a baby.

Not sure about those sounds you described- google baby cockatoo sounds maybe? If his tail isn't bobbing and you don't notice them constantly then I don't imagine that they are indicative of a breathing issue. He sounds like he is pretty comfortable with you, so you could take him back to that vet that Sunny visited a few times and maybe he could give you better answers.

Ah yes, I knew that most stay with the flock they are born into, except the odd few who fly off to join a new group. Didn’t know that some of the mothers get obsessed with motherhood, how interesting!

This guy is definitely under a year, fully feathered but a few fluffy baby feather poking out under his new feathers. And the whole eating like a baby, and baby noises (I hear them in the trees this time of year demanding to be fed).
Hmm the vet I took Sunny too weren’t that great, they sorted sunny out bu giving him antibiotics but they didn’t know what was wrong with him. I will Definitely book this guy in if need be. I’ve just totally lost trust in that vets as one of my Guinea pigs recently passed away.. and I don’t feel like the vet done what they should have, and caused him to suffer and die.. But I won’t go into it. I’m still heartbroken.
But I have found a lovely vet at their other practice who’s great with the pigs so I’ll try and book her if I take him to the vet

I’m confident these sleepy noises he’s making is just him sleeping and nothing to worry about. It’s like he’s asking to be fed in his sleep lol

 

[Laurasea]

Amazing! So glad he is eating ! You are a guardian angel for parrots!!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Well Hannah I guess you know now on what kind of bird you'll be getting :18:
He looks adorable and you are doing just great with him!


Jim

 

[Scott]

That’s really interesting noodles about they often staying with their parents a long time!

Hmmm indeed. Some cockatoo chicks stay with their "parents" forever! Just sayin'!!!

Amazing how this bird has taken to you. It's more than just the rescue and hand feeding, they have a keen sense!

 

[ParrotGenie]

That’s really interesting noodles about they often staying with their parents a long time!

Hmmm indeed. Some cockatoo chicks stay with their "parents" forever! Just sayin'!!!

Amazing how this bird has taken to you. It's more than just the rescue and hand feeding, they have a keen sense!

I agree that might be her new companion.

In the feeding video, that what my male U2 Cooper use to do once in a while and then beg for food at time, when I first rescued him. I always wonder why he use to do that?

 

[Terry57]

Hannah, you are amazing! You have a gift for rescue, and the fact that wild birds are drawn to you shows that they recognize that as well.
I am so glad he is doing well, that video was awesome watching him gobble that food!
I also believe he was sent to you by Sunny, and this little guy could not be in better hands. Bless you for being who you are.

 

[T00tsyd]

I can't wait for the next bulletin.

 

[HannahandSunny]

Good morning everyone!

He’s still with us!
He’s very sleepy this morning despite the noise of the cocky’s outside. He had his head in his wing while I wheeled the cage into the lounge. Once his head was out of his wing I offered him food and water which he gulped down well.

He is very fluffed up this morning, bit worried he’s not looking great. But at least he’s taking food well..
Hopefully he’s just taken a while to wake up after his heavy sleep and stressful few days he’s had

 

[T00tsyd]

That's great. It's bedtime here in the UK but I do hope he goes on right until I get up again. Perhaps he is simply exhausted. Lots of good food and rest might be doctor's orders. Oh and lots of special Hannah love and cuddles.

 

[HannahandSunny]

I really don’t think he’s doing well. He is very flat, puffed up and just sleeping.
There are no vets open today and certainly none that know about birds.
I’ve called the wildlife lady up the Road and she said that everything I am doing sounds great, and to just keep getting the food down him as he sounds like he is just starving. I suggested giving him metacam that I have left over from the guinea pigs but she said not to as he doesn’t seem like he is in any pain just very hungry and exhausted.
Thanks for the oat mash too Bertrisher! He is gobbling that down well. I’m about the go and bend a spoon into beak shape.

I’ve weighed him and he is 425g. Adults should be 880g but of course he’s a juvenile so I don’t know how underweight he is?

 

[noodles123]

Try to keep things warm (but not too warm---and make sure it isn't a teflon coated heater). Babyfood (non-fortified and without sodium or a ton of citric acid can also help). If he isn't drinking, you can try getting some non-fortified juice and watering it down (that will give him some calories and liquid, but go easy on the citric acid).

 

[noodles123]

How does his poop look?
Do you have access to bird formula because if something happened to his parents and he wasn't fully weaned, he may still need daily feedings plus solid food offerings

 

[ParrotGenie]

I really don’t think he’s doing well. He is very flat, puffed up and just sleeping.
There are no vets open today and certainly none that know about birds.
I’ve called the wildlife lady up the Road and she said that everything I am doing sounds great, and to just keep getting the food down him as he sounds like he is just starving. I suggested giving him metacam that I have left over from the guinea pigs but she said not to as he doesn’t seem like he is in any pain just very hungry and exhausted.
Thanks for the oat mash too Bertrisher! He is gobbling that down well. I’m about the go and bend a spoon into beak shape.

I’ve weighed him and he is 425g. Adults should be 880g but of course he’s a juvenile so I don’t know how underweight he is?

Is he look like a Greater Sulphur-crested which would be around 880 grams for a adult. Even for a juvenile that seem underweight? Make sure you try to feed him every 4 hours and keep the food warm and you may want to mush it up and mix it during feeding. Also add pedialyte into the water and feed more water then solids. This will get him re-hydration. If you can't get pedialyte you could also mix your own 8 oz. of warm water 1/2 Tablespoon of sugar 1/8 teaspoon of salt 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda to make a Electrolyte solution for re-hydration. I suspect that his issue. Solution is good for 2-3 days when mixed. It works if a bird is lethargic, dehydrated, losing weight, which seem like the issue and that weight is way under and reason he looked thin. I use this and saved a few birds.

I normally don't offer, or recommend bird salty drinks "noodles123" as know you be the first to say something about it? But there are situations where it's medically useful and Salt/sodium is beneficial in birds with digestive disorders as he maybe having, it also helps to halt additional dehydration when a bird has diarrhea. It helps to maintain the osmotic pressure in the body, thus protecting against excessive fluid losses. This may save him.

Also how does his poop look, is it kind of watery and color?

 

[noodles123]

feel his keel bone---if it is super sharp/concave on the sides, that is bad. He looked rather thin in one of the pictures. The keel should stick out a little, but it shouldn't feel like a mountain with hollow sides...A small ridge is good, but if it is jutting out a lot, that is bad.
I just took my U2 to the vet today and she is 1lb--I can feel her keel bone but it isn't super sharp. I am attaching a link to an image that gives you an idea, but please know that the CAV who sees mine said she is a perfect weight/good muscle etc BUT based on this image, she is closer to the milder "under-ideal" image shown--so it's a ball-park and the following is not perfect...

https://lookatthisbabybird.tumblr.com/image/183097912779

Here's a better one:

 

[HannahandSunny]

I’m feeding him on soaked pellets and soaked oats. And water. He ate some broccoli last night but isn’t interested in feeding himself today.
He is extremely thin, I can feel all his bones. So it’s mostly just a case of getting food into him asap. Shops will open tomorrow and I’ll send partner into town to get some supplies as unfortunately I have to work Monday and Tuesday.
He won’t eat from the bent spoon so will have to continue with the small syringe.

He is pooping lots! And they seem like quite good poops to me

 

[noodles123]

Have you any seeds? A bit of fat might be good but not a ton at once if he is starving.