New bird. Special needs. Please help.

I’ve posted a few times now regarding possibly adding a second bird. Well, I finally took the plunge and now I fear I’m in over my head.

Let me start by saying I’ve been thinking/researching/discussing adding a second bird for awhile. This was not an impulse.

I chose to adopt versus purchase from a breeder for my own personal reasons, and now I fear I’m paying the price.

Tiki, my GCC/love of my life, is about 6 years old and an absolute joy. I adopted her off of Craig’s List. I peruse CL frequently and think I’m pretty good about identifying the ‘flippers’. Tiki came from a family that simply did not have time for her anymore. And they didn’t try to charge me an astronomical amount of money, they genuinely wanted to find her a good home.

I recently found a Sun Conure for adoption on CL. I communicated with the owner extensively who is a genuinely nice person who needs to re-home this bird due to moving out of the country.

I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to take the bird, was just going to meet him, until I got to the person’s house.

Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe this person meant well, but…

The house stunk of cigarette smoke, and musty dog (there were seven dogs living in the house). The bird’s diet consisted of a bag of mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc) and “LARGE PARROT FOOD” brand seed mix. There was also a “mite protector” in a box next to the bird cage, which he had been chewing on.

He is a very friendly bird, a bit nippy, but they all are and if I can cure Tiki of her scar-inducing biting behavior, then I can work with this little fella, too.

Now, when I was at the person’s house, the bird was sitting on my arm. He went to climb up to my shoulder, and it seemed a claw on his left leg got caught in my sleeve. He struggled trying to lift his leg to walk a few times before finally getting loose.

I didn’t think anything of it. Until I got home. I put him on top of his cage, and his leg was still wobbly a bit when he would try to walk forward. I started to really worry, so I put him on the carpet to see him walk, and it was just AWFUL! His left foot curled up on itself and he limped to me to climb up. Since then I’ve been really watching him, and it seems he has difficulty straightening it, and wants to keep it curled. Because of this, he hangs on the sides of the cage instead of using the perches. Once he gets onto a finger, he’s fine… it’s just getting there is such a struggle for him!

I messaged his previous owner inquiring about his lameness, and the person said he had never noticed it… maybe he sprained his foot in the car. :/

I’m no expert on birds, but I believe this to be a chronic, long-term thing. Perhaps a birth defect.


I’ve also noticed during the short time he’s been here, that he is either unable, or unwilling, to close his beak. It is constantly hanging open a bit, the tongue waggling around like crazy. It almost looks as if the bottom beak is too big. I’m not sure if this is normal for Suns, I only have a GCC currently who certainly closes her beak all the way.

I am absolutely heartbroken for this little guy. I kissed him (while holding my breath because he REEKS of cigarette smoke and wet dog) and told him I will take good care of him. He already seems so sweet.

I am so afraid though that I am not equipped to handle a special needs bird. He seems happy enough, I just want to do right by him.

I'm including a link to a video of his walk… warning: its absolutely pitiful.

He has an appointment with my vet later this week. And is currently quarantined in a separate room from Tiki.

Can anyone tell me if his beak seems normal? Also, are there any communicable avian illnesses that can cause lameness?

Thank you for any love and support anyone can provide. I’m feeling really down.

[ame="Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UszQsJvq7Fg"]Sun Conure lameness. - YouTube[/ame]

We don't always pick the path we walk. You have a beautiful baby that did not ever do anything to be where he was. Please, hang in there!

Oh My Gosh! He is too sweet! If it helps at all, there's no way I could have met the little guy and left him in those conditions. Hugs to you for helping this little one.

You are probably right about the foot, if the previous owner isn't forthcoming about the injury or birth defect, you can only guess as to how it occurred. I don't think it's a major disability, he seems to be handling it well. I'm sure the vet can tell you if anything can be done to improve the problem. I think with a little creativity, you can set his cage up with natural perches to at least help him be comfortable and keep the atrophy from progressing. The little platforms that fit in the corners of cages might be helpful too,

The beak doesn't look to bad to me, but I'm not that familiar with sun conures so I'm not sure exactly what a healthy, normal beak should look like. I'm sure the vet will be able to help there too.

Do you know the little guy's age? Does he have a name?

Welcome to the forum, Little One!

Very cute, congrats.

What an adorable, sweet little bird! The leg thing looks familiar...if it's not an injury or congenital condition, it could very well be kidney disease/tumors...a condition which smaller parrots easily succumb to when they get older, or they have a very crappy diet. But let's not jump to any conclusions about the matter, and wait to see what the vet says. Either way, he's a lovely little guy in desperate need of a good, stable, healthy home, and he's lucky to have you.
The beak looks normal to me.
Please keep an update on him...my heart goes out to the little guy. I hope it's not his kidneys. But whatever it is, he still needs a happy home.

His beak looks perfectly normal. I can't really help you with the foot issue as I've never had a special needs bird before.

Oioi, what a sweetie! Other than his foot problem he is a beautiful adorable fid. I cannot really help, but a good vet probably would. It might be an old injury or a inborn defect indeed. I know birds in much worse conditions (like with no feet at all) who had a happy long life with a loving owner.

It's sad to see the leg however most animals seem to cope quite well with a deformity or injury. They just get on with life. The vet will be able to advise you if it's kidney related etc. Kudos for taking the little guy. Chances are that the bird will live a long and happy life albeit with a limp. You could call him stumpy and shower him with love and affection. It will love you for you kindness.

What a darling little guy! I'll be interested in what the vet has to say. Honestly though, he looks to be in pretty good shape given the environment he was in. Hope it's just a birth defect and nothing more serious.

Congrats on your new fid! His beak looks pretty normal to me, but it doesn't seem to be closing all the way(like you said), but it might be the angle. The bottom half of the beak looks like the normal size to me in the vid.

What a precious baby! Don't worry yourself he will certainly adapt now that he has a loving home! Definitely get him to the vet asap and see what your vet has to say...also keep an eye on his eating and drinking. you're totally equipped to take on a special baby; you have the invaluable advice of all the folks here!

I had a Sun conure in rescue that had been attacked by a hawk and completely lost one foot, and several toes on the other foot. He did just fine! They really learn to adapt very well.
Congrats on your new little fellow!

I have not yet had the opportunity, but adopting a special-needs bird is a wonderful gesture, and you will be rewarded!!!

He seems to have accommodated the leg, and appears to have some level of grip with the toes. A visit with an avian specialist vet will hopefully rule out illness and set your mind at ease.

Thank you all so much for your kind replies! He is already worming his way into my heart!

He definitely seems to maneuver around okay in the cage where he can grip the bars, but it's very hard for him to let go of a perch/bar/finger to step up. Sometimes it works fine, other times he has to shake it a couple times to get it going I think because of this, it makes him a bit more beaky than necessary, like he clings on with his beak a bit hard until he can get his leg to do what he wants it to do. This might have something to do with the way the previous owner handled him. He thought he was being bitten by the bird, so he would "get under him" and scoop his legs out from under him. I'm tolerating the "bite" because I genuinely don't think he's biting, I think he's stabilizing himself and scared that I'm going to rip my finger away before he gets his feet on!

Allee - the previous owner said he will be 7 in August. He does not have a name yet, as I don't want to keep his previous name. New life, new name! A fresh start for this baby

I truly appreciate everyone caring & the support. I will update you all as soon as we get home from his vet appointment friday morning!

Try stringing something (baby rings? Plastic chain? rope perches?) above his perches so he can use it as a "handle" to move around. I worked with a one-footed B&G who had all kinds of handles around his cage and he got around wonderfully!

EDIT:
If you want, you can post pictures of his current cage set-up and I'd totally be willing to make suggestions to make it more accessible and hopefully boost his confidence! It sounds like he was never given the tools to thrive so he is scared and clumsy but he will come around I am sure!! Also let us know how the vet visit goes! I'm no AV (yet ) but I have a slight concern that it could be neurological damage from inhaling and ingesting all the bad stuff in his old home.

Bandespresso said:

Try stringing something (baby rings? Plastic chain? rope perches?) above his perches so he can use it as a "handle" to move around. I worked with a one-footed B&G who had all kinds of handles around his cage and he got around wonderfully!

EDIT:
If you want, you can post pictures of his current cage set-up and I'd totally be willing to make suggestions to make it more accessible and hopefully boost his confidence! It sounds like he was never given the tools to thrive so he is scared and clumsy but he will come around I am sure!! Also let us know how the vet visit goes! I'm no AV (yet ) but I have a slight concern that it could be neurological damage from inhaling and ingesting all the bad stuff in his old home.

Click to expand...

That's a great idea! Currently he is in a temporary cage. It is entirely too small for him but only temporary until his new cage comes. I ordered him the same cage that Tiki has because I love it.

Here is the cage:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Multi-Purpose-Aviary-Stand/dp/B002UTZ040/ref=pd_bia_nav_t_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DH6J9H4RFN3V7DMBBE8"]Amazon.com : HQ Flight Cage, Multi Purpose Aviary with Cart Stand, Black, 1 Per Box : Parrot Cage : Pet Supplies[/ame]

As of right now, he only has a wooden dowel, a comfy rope perch, and snuggle hut (which he has been sleeping in). Normally I am an anti-snuggle hut advocate (turned my gcc into a MONSTER) but he had one previously, plus I think it might be good for him to get off his feet while he's sleeping. I had to give him a new one though, as he had completely chewed through his - holes and threads hanging out everywhere

I took his old cage when I got him, but it was FILTHY, stinky, and rusty. It's in our driveway trying to get cleaned but I'm getting him a new one anyway. The only perches in his old cage were actual branches from outside... which I thought was creative but also concerning. I wouldn't know which native trees to Pennsylvania are conure-safe.

Once I get his new cage and get him moved in, I will certainly post pictures and I welcome all advice/suggestions! Thank you!

Poor baby! I'm sure he'll love his new cage and perches! I would definitely keep the snuggle hut because it will make him feel safe and secure. Probably just toss the old cage...rust can be very dangerous for birds.

I'll absolutely help you out when you get the new cage! I'm so glad he has such a loving parront now.

Update on new bird - Nacho!

Nacho went to the avian vet today.

1. She was able to clean a lot of the gunk out of his nares with a long sharp utensil (yikes!) I'm sure he can breathe better now.

2. Heart and lungs sound good. Poop culture was normal albeit she thought his giant poops were a little strange and probably due to his previously poor diet. They are starting to normalize though.

3. She believes his foot problem to be an old ligament injury that never healed properly. She said he has equal musculature and strength in both legs so she does not believe it to be kidney damage or something neurological. YAY! She trimmed his velociraptor talons which should help when it comes to letting go of things to step up. Maybe my crazy bird lady hands can heal

Going to do blood work in 3 months with a follow up visit to see how he's progressing with his new diet. His new cage was delivered today so I can't wait to set it up and get him in it! Thanks for everyone's advice and guidance!!

What an awesome update on "Nacho", Lauren! Great news all around! You must be so elated!!

Any chance we get a sneak peak at his new cage? I bet he'll love it!

I love the name! He is in very good hands now and I am certain will thrive because of it. Can't wait to see his new digs!