Weird Behavior

I'm wheelchair bound now, and greatly enjoyed the beautiful birds that would flock to the birdfeeder I had out my window. When the debris, etc. messed up my a/c, I very sadly, had to do away with the feeder. My sister later surprised me with a gorgeous Sulphur Crested Cockatoo to replace my Cardinals she rescued! I have grown to love her dearly. She's 16 years old and was pretty much neglected until coming to me but now seems happy and healthy.
I had a rounded clump of raffia hanging inside her cage to rip and tear, but she never did. Recently she threw it to the bottom of the cage. Yesterday and today I've become concerned, as she was sleeping in her new nest???? She's on her perch atm, thankfully, but her poop is off... brownish pee, no white or green. Is she sick or about to have an egg? Please don't hate me, there is no avian vet anywhere near me I can find currently within my area.

Have you tried using this to find a local avian vet? There are several around the Atlanta area.

Member Search - Association of Avian Veterinarians


It could very well be "nesty" behavior, but if she hasn't had a checkup in a long while, it might be a good idea to get her in for a new bird exam to help set up a baseline for future vet visits.

Thanks! There's one listed in my town but she practices in another. I didn't have those phone numbers from AAV when I tried to contact her several months ago, so will try again using them. I can't get down to Atlanta. Has to do with my disability. Sugar seems much better tonight, but I still need to find a vet in case I have an emergency one day.

What a wonderful surprise Sugar must have been! They are endearing parrots and she seems a wonderful companion.

Hard to know if her abnormal appearing droppings are a sign of illness. Not uncommon to change for brief periods depending on food recently consumed. If it lasts more than a day or so a trip to an avian certified vet is warranted.
Can you very gently feel the area surrounding her vent? If it seems swollen with a dialated vent, it may be an egg ready to exit. Definitely do not want to have an egg-bound situation.

Oh Scott! That's a terrific suggestion and I'll do that! I've read up a lot about Cockatoos and have forgotten a lot as well, and that's definitely something I've forgotten. Also, though I'm continuously trying to encourage her to try fruits and vegetables of many kinds, she, very unfortunately, much prefers things like chicken legs, garlic mashed potatoes, pasta, breads and sweets. Corn on the cob is about the only vegetable she'll touch so far, and I'll give her veggies from my salads, but she just licks off all the ranch dressing and leaves the veggies on the bottom of her cage. And yes, she's a marvelous companion!

Any discharge today? Are her droppings still abnormal?

It can be very difficult to transition a bird to a healthier diet. Might try making a bowl/plate of plain varied vegetables and some fruit; one for you and one for her. Demonstrate eating and enjoying, make "Mmmmm" sounds. Parrots are flock eaters, and you are part of Sugar's flock.

If you are able to bake, creating "birdie bread" is a great way to sneak some veggies into her diet.

A couple of helpful threads:
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/65841-poppy-s-jolly-jungle-bread.html

It may not be helpful now, but another way you can gauge their health is to weigh them regularly. Usually sickness/changes in physical health are accompanied by a sharp change in weight (that might also help you tell if eggs are coming).

If you haven't already, a gram scale and a t-perch to put on top are a good combo.

Otherwise, as well as droppings, drastic changes in behaviour, looking lethargic, being at the bottom of the cage, laboured breathing, lack of energy are other signs of illness.

If you see more symptoms appear you will need a vet ASAP, so even if you think she's OK now, It's probably a good idea to work out what you'll do if you need a vet.

I agree with everything you advised. It's all very logical!

I'll try the birdie bread. I continually eat my salads seated next to Sugar's cage and do the num num num sounds and it does help. That's how she became a Ranch dressing fan! And Scott, she seems all back to normal now. I panicked seeing her sitting in her nest at the bottom of the cage. Finding a vet and improving her diet are my priorities!

Glad to hear you have a new friend and she is beautiful !
Hope she is doing well and wanted to offer a few suggestions.

There are plenty of food options listed in the Parrot Food, Recipes and Diet forum.
Please check the list of foods that are bad for them. I know that onions and salt are toxic and I think garlic can be bad too. Check the list of ingredients in that ranch dressing ! There is also excellent lists of good foods, veggies, nuts, sprouts, etc listed there too. Pasta and bread are better if they are of the whole grain variety.

We have started giving Arika some chop, and she is coming around to liking it. It takes time and patience. There are many options for recipes. You may have to try a few and try to wean her over.
As Scott suggested, if you have it, eat it, make nummy sounds, and pretend they cannot have it, they will most likely want it even more You are part of her flock and she relies on your guidance for food choices and behavior.

Baking the birdie bread would be a good try if possible. There are also many recipes for that too.

As always a visit to a CAV would be best. Birds can hide their illness and being able to "read" your bird's behavior is very important.

Kelly, myself and Arika wish you the best with your new friend and hope you have a good holiday. BTW, I don't think you mentioned her name !

Kelly, Karl, and Arika

Thanks, Kelly, Karl, and Arika! Her name is Sugar. I'm going to chop up a couple of veggies and mix them into cornbread batter and bake and will do another with bananas and apples as a start. I'll definitely eat it in front of her and make nom nom yum sounds. researching the good and bad foods was one of the first things I did when I got her. Plus I had a double yellowhead for around 20 years, so some bird experience.

Glad you have done some research and have previous experience with the feathered people
The people and collection of valuable information here is priceless.

Sugar is beautiful!!!!
We hope you are able to get her to a vet for a visit and also hope she loves her chop. Good luck, don't be afraid to vary the ingredients and experiment to keep her healthy and happy.
Not sure of the calcium requirements for the toos but I did read where hard boiled eggs can be chopped up, shell and all and fed to them. Please double check some of the postings on food before proceeding with that though.
Thanks
Kelly, Karl, and Arika

ummm something worrying i just read in this

Garlic is toxic to parrots, which could be the cause of the troubles. immediately stop giving it to her and if the droppings are still "off" for more than a day she would need a vet