Welcome to the flock, Oscar

[BeatriceC]

I've been kind of sort of wanting to add another bird to my flock since Cookie died. I'd met a bare eyed cockatoo named Bender, and visited with him a lot, but something just didn't seem right about taking him, so I didn't. I've met some other birds as well, and none of them seemed like the right bird either.

Then this past weekend I heard about a Goffin Cockatoo who needed a new home. His story is that he was with one woman from the time he was a baby and that woman passed away. He was taken in by the Humane Society and adopted out to a family that wanted him, but quickly realized they were not a good home for a bird. They've had him for two months and in all that time he hasn't been handled at all. He reeks of dog and desperately needs a bath, and his cage was caked in bird poop. They were changing out the papers in the bottom, but nothing else. They were simply overwhelmed. Within ten minutes of meeting him he was dipping his head down for me to give him scritches, and tentatively sticking his foot out to step up, but chickening out and taking his foot back. I left and said I'd think about it. I visited him a second time, and he was even more friendly. I left again, saying if they couldn't find anybody else, to call me.

Well, yesterday they called. They'd had a dozen people come look at him, but none of them seemed like they had the first clue what they were doing, and/or were just looking to "flip" him. This family isn't "bad people". They just got in over their heads and wanted what's best for the bird, not just to get rid of him. He'd been to an avian vet and had a full check up, including blood work, so they really did want to do right by him, but just weren't a good bird home.

So last night I took him. It took me two hours to deep clean his cage, and he's currently in my front entry way to be separate from the other birds (though my vet said with the blood work from the other vet, he should be fine to go straight to the bird room as long as nobody else objects). Goofy and Leo are totally unfazed by the newcomer. Charlotte is a little bit guarded, but not really even stressed. We'll see what happens when she can see him, not just hear him.

He desperately needs a bath, but I need to teach him step up reliably. He wouldn't get on my hand at his old house, but he just stepped up without issue on MrC's hand. I think he knew at some point, but hasn't been handled in long enough he's just timid, and that won't take very long.


(Forgive the mess in the background...I hadn't cleaned up from scrubbing down the cage)

 

[Allee]

Welcome Home, Oscar!

Thank you for helping this handsome little guy and giving him the loving home he deserves!

​

 

[Scott]

Wow, a Goffin!!!! I am so happy for you, Beatrice, and your new friend! Adopting a rescue is so noble.

No secret they are my favorite species, so much personality and hilarity packed into the smallest of avian packages. Give Oscar some time and you should see a cuddly and playful buddy emerge.

 

[BeatriceC]

Whelp, he's not taking much time. MrC has him stepping up easily now. Took him all of ten minutes to get him to do it the first time, and now he does it whenever MrC sticks his hand out. He's currently ripping up newspaper on one of the play perches. Charlotte is still guarded, but not nearly as stressed as I feared she might be. I was most worried about her. She seems like she'll be fine. All in all, I think everybody will settle in quite nicely.

 

[BeatriceC]

He's a happy little guy!

 

[LeaKP]

Oh this makes me sooooooo happy! If ever I had a too it would be a goffin. Enjoy!

 

[Flboy]

Oh So Very Awesome!

 

[BeatriceC]

Well, he wasn't too thrilled with his shower. He begrudgingly tolerated it. I had to put him on the bottom of the tub because he would just jump right off any sort of perch. I kept it short at about five minutes, but I figure if I do that every day he will get used to it. He "snows" every time he moves and reeks of dog, so showers are non negotiable.

 

[Doublete]

Everyone looks thrilled! Very happy for him and you!

 

[BeatriceC]

Oh boy Oscar is a character. We've been in stitches all day with his antics. I think my biggest challenge is going to be creating puzzle mazes to keep him occupied. All the foraging toys he came with or I already had are too easy (and I have a bunch that are too hard for Charlotte). He likes to flip himself in circles around a perch if he thinks he hasn't gotten enough head scritches. He also likes to insist on head scritches before stepping up. He's got a massive amount of pin feathers and is letting me preen him two or three at a time.

He looks MUCH nicer after his shower. The yellow onset his tail and wings is visible and the pink is quite a bit brighter. He didn't even get a great shower, so I'm sure it will get even better in the days to come.

And a note on Charlotte: she is a bit stressed, but in a major breakthrough she is shredding paper instead of plucking. She's only showing signs of stress when MrC gives Oscar too much attention. She's decided since October that he's the preferred human, so we are making sure he's giving her lots of attention.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Wonnnnnnnnnderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm besotted with Oscar. He's quite a charmer. His expression and posture just make me think of a little white Charie Chaplin.

Ummm... and MrC is HANDSOME!

 

[BeatriceC]

*giggle* I certainly think MrC is handsome, even though that's not exactly a good picture of him. You should see how handsome he is after he's showered and combed his hair and trimmed his beard.

And yeah, Oscar is a little comedian.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome aboard there Oscar! Ye be a fine compliment to th' crew. Mind yer manners, b'ware the decking an eat ye what the cook serves up. The ship'll be glad to have ye.

 

[BeatriceC]

He's having a bit of trouble with the "eat what the cook serves up" part. He came with Hertz seed mix. I dumped that straight into the trash. I have a different seed/dried fruit mix that's better quality I gave him a bit of, along with birdie bread and chop I serve the other birds. He ate the seed, but not the rest. He's afraid of fresh food.

 

[Scott]

Seems as if Oscar is a goodwill ambassador for the Goffins species! They are so charming and playful, yet small enough to not be intimidating or hurtful when angry. He really looks good, and will positively shine once his feathers are cleaned.

Just keep introducing fresh foods and he will eventually start eating better. It took nearly 30 years for my wild-caught hen "Peanut" to try pear. Now she loves it!

 

[BeatriceC]

MrC tried in fits and spurts to get Goofy off seed for 15 or so years. Then I tried off and on for almost three years before finally getting serious about it this summer and getting him converted. He's still not as good as the other birds with fresh foods as the others, but I'm reasonably happy with his current diet. I learned a thing or two handling Charlotte's minor diet changes and Goofy's major change. I'm sure there's a lot more to learn, but I'm confident I will get him on a better diet faster than I did with Goofy.

He does loudly object to bed time. In his last home, they weren't handling him at all, so they weren't closing hisncage at night. He doesn't like this idea of being shut in at night. He screeched for about 15 minutes (which I ignored) and then went to sleep. I'm sure he will adjust soon enough.