Hello There! :)

[RyCockatoo]

Hello, My name is Ryan and I am 24 years old and Im from Kansas! I have owned small birds in the past conures and such, but I am fixing to get a 11 year old male umbrella cockatoo. I have been over to visit him a few times and have fallen in love! He isn't use to me enough to step up to me, but does allow me to pet him. My only concern is that his feathers look wet. They said that he is in molt and that is why, but I will post a picture here so you all can help me out! He hasnt been feed the best diet. Parrot mix from walmart, seed mix, and anything they feel like feeding him like hotdogs and chocolate! So I am excited to get him and put him on the right diet and get him healthy! Oh and his name is Henry!

 

[FutureDVM]

Hi and welcome to the forum! You are right, his feathers look like a mess. I don't know a whole lot about cockatoos, but I'm guessing the poor diet has a lot to do with it. Hopefully someone with more cockatoo knowlege will be able to answer better.

 

[RyCockatoo]

I also figured it was the diet, but they insist that his feathers will be fine again once he is done with his molt. They have had him for 7 years but they have no prior pictures or anything from when his feathers where "fine".

 

[mnkeastman]

I wish I had more experience but I am sure those that do will pipe in here, just saying welcome to you and Henry

 

[roxynoodle]

Welcome to the forum! I think that poor bird needs a vet visit ASAP. That looks like something worse than even the poor diet. I have rehomed an amazon a few months ago that was on a seed diet (Walmart garbage) for 28 years and he looks quite a bit better than this poor thing.

 

[antoinette]

Hi and welcome
He does not look well, I would certainly take him to the vet for a thorough check up.
Below is a link which is very informative pertaining to their diets

Proper Umbrella Cockatoo Care | Birdtricks.com

 

[Mayden]

Chocolate is toxic, so that needs to be stopped asap. Vet visit is needed. No prior picture tbh suggests to me that they've gotten him recently and want rid of him asap for whatever reason (bad health on his part, behaviour problems, or just quick money) Be cautious getting this fella. x

 

[Mayden]

Also, is that his cage in the background? Too small for a U2!

 

[Rio Mom]

Welcome! PM ShreddedOakAviary, she's a cockatoo expert, and will have lots of helpful advice for you. I agree with the others, a vet trip right away.

 

[RyCockatoo]

Yes that is his cage! And yes it is too small, but I have already ordered a bigger one I am very nervous about getting him, but dont really want to leave him in those conditions any longer .... I am putting up 800 bucks for him and dont want him to die soon after I get him. I am kinda at a lose of what to do! :S

 

[RyCockatoo]

When petting him his feathers do not seem wet. He is still soft to the touch. Perhaps it is from him not bathing? They said he only baths in his water when the vaccum is running and they have wood floors ? So that leads me to believe that he does not take a bath ever! Ahh so complicated!

 

[Mayden]

I think they are lying to you about the bird. I would take him - but like you said, you don't want him to fall ill and die not long after you have him, and it gives these people money that you'd rather not part with...

It is a tricky situation, people with more willpower and sense than me should hopefully come along and advise you properly. I fall foul to these kinds of things and take them regardless, if he is sick and going to die 'soon' then I'd rather he died in a home filled with love for him than otherwise. Imo, money well spent. x

 

[RyCockatoo]

Well I went over today and told them that I will take him. However I am taking him to the vet later this week before I make any payment on him, but weather the out come is good or bad I am still going to take him. He is in need of a good place and I can give him that. He is also very skinny, but hopefully with good diet he will start to perk up. So prepare for me to be on here A LOT asking for advice! I may be taking on a lot but I am ready to help this poor fella out!

 

[RyCockatoo]

Oh they also went down 200 dollars on the price for me

 

[Mayden]

Well thats fantastic, I'm happy that you know you're in this for the long haul and that it might be expensive and that it might not end up the best...

Glad they went down on price, maybe they are just bad owners with good intentions?

Will be great to see more pics and I'm sure you'll get great advice on here, especially from ShreddedOak etc

 

[MissyMe83]

At first glance I thought this pic was after a shower. Definately something not right with the looks of the feathers if not... Let us know how the vet visit goes and congrats on your new family member.

 

[roxynoodle]

I would make my decision based on what the vet says unless you truly can part with the money. A new cage is already a fair investment, and the vet bills could be astronomical. I recently adopted a Grey that gave every appearance of being a healthy bird, and who was always treated well and on a good diet. I have spent $1400 on her in just a few weeks just in vet bills. She has at least one more vet visit coming up. And I suspect it's not going to be her last until a wellness check a year from now.

I'm very concerned that the bird is thin eating a seed diet. Usually it is the other way around, as seeds are quite fattening.

At least with the amazon it was only a matter of getting him on a good diet. He is a little bit overweight, but doesn't have any underlying diseases. He was also given to me by his owner so I was much more willing to take my chances of helping him. He now has a big cage, toys, is on pellets, fruit, veggies and other healthy foods.

 

[luvmytooo]

Hello and welcome
Will these people that you are getting this cockatoo from let you get him vetted before you take him ?
If he does have something serious , are you prepared for the vet bills that will inevitably come him this guy ? They can be quite costly .....just saying.
I know you want to save him and give him a better life and I thank you for that , but you also have to think these things through because it is a commitment for life .

 

[roxynoodle]

Knowing what sort of vet bills you may be facing here, I wonder if you can talk the owners into just giving him to you. It doesn't sound like they are willing to take him to a vet and get him healthy.

 

[RyCockatoo]

I am taking him to the vet before any payment is made. So I guess it will just be a waiting game to see if he is healthy other than the feather issue. I am prepared to spend whatever amount of money on him to get him healthy and also my vet is awesome in that he lets me make payments on larger bills. I went over to see Henry again last and he actually stepped up on me and let me give him a little scratch under his winds. His feathers are just horrid. I can't even explain how they feel.....Almost boney in way ? Im not sure that he is too thin I think it might of been just the feel of his feathers. He does feel heavy on my arm lol, but he is a large bird. Ugh I dunno, I am going over again today and I will try to take a few more pictures of him. I am going to try and get him into the vet today just so I can get an idea of what his issues are. I am scared and nervous, but also excited to figure out what is wrong with this poor guy and get him the attention that he needs!