bug_n_flock
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2018
- 1,373
- 208
- Parrots
- B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Read what is essentially "part one" of this story here: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/87940-semi-idle-mbs-thoughts-think-me.html
Inspired by Laura talking about craigslist birds I was checking out my local craigslist and found a Galah listed. I sent an email to the poster and we have been speaking since. Things are looking very good for us to adopt the bird, but he comes with a backstory and some emotional baggage. He had been neglected by a previous owner and is very afraid of new things, he has issues with his feet due to healed or mostly healed bumblefoot(yes, a trip to the vet is an immediate first step).
He is cage bound and fear reactive. Has only accepted 1 toy and 1 perch in the last 2 years. Covid changed the energy in his current home, so his current family is rehoming him. He used to come out of his cage and interact with people, but with the kids in the home all the time now he has not been willing to leave the safety of his cage. He spends most of his time clinging to the bars rather than sitting on his perch. The guy has some issues. We have been sent photos and videos of the bird, and he is in good feather with the sweetest face you can imagine. He seems like a cuddly love bug, but is not one to step up. He is not clipped but cannot fly. Current owner says he likes to glide from one side of her house to the other, and then walk back, climb up his cage, and do it again.. or at least he used to, when he would still come out of the cage. She says he screams some times but not constantly, is not a biter. Says he clearly wants to be loved on but is afraid to step up(video confirms his sweetness.).
Current owner is willing to bring him(and his current cage and play stand) to us, and we are thinking yes, we will take the plunge. But I would like some thoughts and input from cockatoo owners. I know they are NOT easy birds, even when they do not come with baggage. I have been around an adult galah at full volume before, we had a galah at the parrot shop who came in as an owner surrender. While he did come around, at first he was a screamer.
Current owner says Mojito(current name for the past 2 years but he doesn't seem to know it) does not bite.. once or twice has "nibbled" the current owner's husband when he was pushing boundaries too far. Mojito will ask to be picked up, will put 1 foot on you, then lose his nerve and not fully step up. He will reject any perch with any amount of movement to it(makes me suspect he may still have some discomfort in his feet, our vet will let us know what she thinks).
His diet is not terrible, he is a great eater on a homemade diet along with zupreem pellets, bird bread, veggies, etc. Likes sunflower seeds but is picky about other seeds.
I know he will take some work, but I think that he has in him the potential to be a happy and healthy bird again. Any tips, pointers, words of warning?
Inspired by Laura talking about craigslist birds I was checking out my local craigslist and found a Galah listed. I sent an email to the poster and we have been speaking since. Things are looking very good for us to adopt the bird, but he comes with a backstory and some emotional baggage. He had been neglected by a previous owner and is very afraid of new things, he has issues with his feet due to healed or mostly healed bumblefoot(yes, a trip to the vet is an immediate first step).
He is cage bound and fear reactive. Has only accepted 1 toy and 1 perch in the last 2 years. Covid changed the energy in his current home, so his current family is rehoming him. He used to come out of his cage and interact with people, but with the kids in the home all the time now he has not been willing to leave the safety of his cage. He spends most of his time clinging to the bars rather than sitting on his perch. The guy has some issues. We have been sent photos and videos of the bird, and he is in good feather with the sweetest face you can imagine. He seems like a cuddly love bug, but is not one to step up. He is not clipped but cannot fly. Current owner says he likes to glide from one side of her house to the other, and then walk back, climb up his cage, and do it again.. or at least he used to, when he would still come out of the cage. She says he screams some times but not constantly, is not a biter. Says he clearly wants to be loved on but is afraid to step up(video confirms his sweetness.).
Current owner is willing to bring him(and his current cage and play stand) to us, and we are thinking yes, we will take the plunge. But I would like some thoughts and input from cockatoo owners. I know they are NOT easy birds, even when they do not come with baggage. I have been around an adult galah at full volume before, we had a galah at the parrot shop who came in as an owner surrender. While he did come around, at first he was a screamer.
Current owner says Mojito(current name for the past 2 years but he doesn't seem to know it) does not bite.. once or twice has "nibbled" the current owner's husband when he was pushing boundaries too far. Mojito will ask to be picked up, will put 1 foot on you, then lose his nerve and not fully step up. He will reject any perch with any amount of movement to it(makes me suspect he may still have some discomfort in his feet, our vet will let us know what she thinks).
His diet is not terrible, he is a great eater on a homemade diet along with zupreem pellets, bird bread, veggies, etc. Likes sunflower seeds but is picky about other seeds.
I know he will take some work, but I think that he has in him the potential to be a happy and healthy bird again. Any tips, pointers, words of warning?
