Roo coming home today

[ScooterMcTavish]

Good morning Cockatoo folks (and my Amazon friends who hang out here too).

Our newest fid, a 23 year old GSC2 named Roo is coming home today. For those who haven't read the bit I've posted about her in the Amazon forum, she was rescued from a bird hoarder, where she was found in a dog kennel in a garage with a dead mate and her dead babies.

Despite this, she was a gentle, social, loveable bird who immediately took to my family. So despite us considering adding a Timneh to our family, we're now getting an enormous white dog-bird.

Speaking with the rescue, they were actually able to track back to the original owner's family. Apparently she was the mother's bird, loved and doted on until Mom died. Since no one in the family took her, she flowed through an unknown number of temporary homes until finally landing at the hoarders.

Apparently the original owner's daughter said she'd take Roo back if they couldn't find a home for her. Wow, just wow.

Anyways, I may be spending a little more time in this part of the forum, and will certainly be looking for advice as we move forward with Roo. After spending lots of time on mytoos.com back when we were researching getting a parrot, we are certainly going into this with eyes wide open. Here's hoping for the best, but being prepared for any bumps on the road.

Here's a pic of our new girl:

Scott

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW Scott! This is going to be an adventure for sure. I'm excited and happy for all of you, but mostly for Roo! :heart: This sweet girl sure deserves a permanent home, and I believe she's hit the jackpot.

 

[2greenconurestostart]

Unbelievable! I cannot believe what people do to animals. That being said , she is GORGEOUS and so so lucky that you have found her. I am looking forward to hearing about her updates!

 

[ToMang07]

She's beautiful Scott, thanks for rescuing her.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

WOW!!!!! So Cool [not alot of them around here Our LS2 is a doll Cant wait to hear about Roo . We had a Eleanora once [they are a medium size 2].

 

[Allee]

Scott, Roo is gorgeous! Thank you so much for giving her a loving home and the care she deserves.

I missed Roo's story in the Amazon section. Poor girl, she's been through so much and look at that sweet face, their willingness to forgive and to trust again is astounding. Best of luck to you and your new addition. Looking forward to hearing lots more about Roo's new journey.

 

[ClatteringConure]

What a gorgeous bird. She looks so gentle and sweet in the photo. I'm so happy you rescued her! She deserves to have a loving permanent home.

 

[thekarens]

She's gorgeous! Congrats! Welcome home Roo!

 

[OOwl]

It never ceases to amaze me the power of animals to overcome seemingly impossible-to-fathom conditions and remain sane and fully feathered like that. She's so very lovely and so very lucky to have landed in such a bird-savy home. For the thousands of sad posts here, this is ultimately a happy one. Thank you for what you did for her and what you'll continue to do for her.

 

[RavensGryf]

What a beautiful bird Roo is, and so fortunate to have found a loving home again . You and your family are lucky too it sounds like. What a wonderful personality she has despite all she's been through, and beautifully feathered too.

Wow, that is beyond sad. Thank goodness the original owner had no knowledge of what would become of her beloved lifelong friend after she passed I cannot even imagine.

Greaters are gorgeous, and not seen so much outside Australia!

 

[Mamaof3]

She's so gorgeous! I can't believe with all she has gone through she looks wonderful and beautiful. Im sure you will give her a great home and lots of love. That face, you just want to kiss it even more when you hear the stories behind them.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Well guys, time for an update. Day 1 with Roo is just about at an end.

Been interesting, and am already needing some guidance.

So first of all, I can tell this has been a stressful day for Roo. She was brought to meet us at the vet where we had full testing run on her, then was brought home. Things have been somewhat interesting. For a bird that "doesn't even know how to bite" she sure has been aggressive, with a few lunges, and my wife was bit. She gets a free pass for the first few days as this is yet another change for her, but I hope this is not a portend of things to come.

Actually had some of my faith a bit shaken in the rescue we were dealing with - at our home visit we were told she was on Zupreem, and we'd get some of this and Lafeber's nutri-berries. We were also told all her blood work had been done and everything was A-OK.

So today, we find out at the vets that it was a previous foster who had her blood work done, but we didn't know which vet did it (and had no records), and that her nails appeared to have not been clipped in a year. The food we were sent home with was a tub of the crap you get in a 10 lb bag at Wal-Mart (which was promptly thrown in the garbage).

And in a moment that almost brought me to tears, we were given the "only toy that she came to the rescue with" a little plastic baby toy with a squeaker. What a sad life this girl has had.

So we ordered the full blood work for our own peace of mind, had the nails trimmed (and we need to go back in three weeks for another trim as the quicks were so long), and brought her home. She immediately climbed to the top of her cage, with an occasional venture down the side to visit people. No chance to get her in the cage however, and we just needed to wait for her to want to go in (which she finally did).

Only one ten minute screaming bout as well, which was a pleasant surprise.

So the immediate issue we'll need to address is we cannot get her back in the cage unless she wants to go. I realize a normal next step would be stick training, but she has either been beaten with a stick or had her cage hit with a stick. When we used a perch to try and get her to step up, she was the most fearful I have seen a bird, ever. We tried wrapping a stick with cloth to camouflage it - no luck. Do not want to traumatize her with a towel this early in the relationship either.

We also tried grabbing her and pulling her off the cage. As a cockatoo she didn't mind the grabbing, but certainly didn't like the tugging - there was no way she was letting go of the cage. Got her close a couple of times trying to bribe her with an almond, but all I got was her rubbing her head against mine (she has already shown signs of sweetness too today).

I do not want to socially isolate her and encourage her to pluck, but yet I somehow wonder if a few days in the cage getting used to us and our home might not be the best thing for everyone right now. It is doubly hard when we called to her on top of her cage and she scurried down the side and began nuzzling us. Sweet yet insecure would be my immediate assessment.

Anyhow, tips on the whole "step up" thing would be pretty appreciated. We are going to be patient with her as well - I don't feel frustrated with her, I feel just so sorry for her (second time almost moved to tears today) when I think of the life she's had up until now.

 

[plumsmum2005]

"I feel just so sorry for her (second time almost moved to tears today) when I think of the life she's had up until now."

It doesnt obliterate what Roo has gone through but she is safe now, go forward. Thanks you for taking her and all good wishes to you.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I have zero Cockatoo experience, so I fully expect a lashing if the following doesn't apply to them. :32:

I honestly wouldn't read too much into Roo's behavior on her very first day home. Surely she was traumatized from the vet visit, in addition to being in a brand new environment.

Must admit my jaw dropped when I read that she only came with one measly toy and crappy food. What about cage? Did the rescue provide you the cage or is she in a new one?

Take it one day at a time with her. I bet she'll be appreciate of anything and everything you do for her, especially because of what she's endured.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hi Wendy, the rescue did have a 1970s rusted cage available to go with her. We instead opted to get her a newer cage as we have the means to do it, and this is one less cage the rescue now needs if it gets a bird only or a bird in an undersized cage.

I think this new rescue is operating on a bit of a shoestring, and like all exotic bird rescues in our area, there is no central home for it. Instead it is just a group of individuals that run rescues out of a number of homes.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Well, we were told Roo slept 12 solid hours a night - nope she started chattering when she heard us up at 6. She seems a bit cheerier this AM, and no screaming from being in her cage, which is good. In fact, I'd almost suggest she looks a bit more comfortable this AM - we'll see how she is when I get home from work tonight.

Did feed her scrambled eggs last night (full of pellets, LOL) which she ate with gusto. Did also hear her beak grind a bit which is a good thing. Well, we'll see how day 2 goes.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Good luck today, Scott!! How many times are you gonna call home to see how things are going? LOL.

PS. LOVED the scrambled eggs (with hidden pellets) idea!!!!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Well, we were told Roo slept 12 solid hours a night - nope she started chattering when she heard us up at 6. She seems a bit cheerier this AM, and no screaming from being in her cage, which is good. In fact, I'd almost suggest she looks a bit more comfortable this AM - we'll see how she is when I get home from work tonight.

Did feed her scrambled eggs last night (full of pellets, LOL) which she ate with gusto. Did also hear her beak grind a bit which is a good thing. Well, we'll see how day 2 goes.

Hi again, from what I have observed from my pink peril the 12 hours is made up of resting, preening and sleeping.

Really good to hear the beak grinding, good thing indeed. Say she was a contented little lady .

Be ready and prepared for 'feet under the table' stage. If it doesn't happen - all good.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Well Plum, I have to ask, what does "feet under the table" mean?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Well Plum, I have to ask, what does "feet under the table" mean?

When they are happy in their environment, comfortable, starting to power play (up).

Too's are extremely intelligent and are quick to try to turn things round to their benefit. Be kind, be firm, be fair and she'll be great.