At wits end

[Goosedad]

Good Day, and Happy Holidays to all:
We took in a 6/10 yr old male Umbrella cockatoo 2 months ago. All we know of his history is that his previous owner was committed to a mental facility, and that he was basically left alone for a period of time, with minimal care. We're seasoned stock people- farm animals- and have taken in quite a few domestic animals with issues. That said, we're novices when it comes to this bird.
We found an avian vet an hour from us- their are only two in Missouri we know of- and have been taking him there weekly. Rocky,-our name for him- came to us in poor shape. He has mutilated himself severely on both chest and wing, and is generally dilapidated. The vet has tended his injuries which we continue daily, and outfitted him with an Elizabethan collar that has eliminated the chest issues, but he can still get at his wing.
We gave the vet free rein as to his treatment, no blood work or labs have been suggested. Our belief is that Rocky's issues are more phycological in nature. He eats well but only Zupreen parrot kibbles. He has no interest in fruits/vegetables. He is very capricious, when he craves our company he lets us know, but when not, prefers to be left alone totally.
We take him in the shower with us which he enjoys. We've showed him Youtube videos but that doesn't illicit any response.
He is in our living room, has either the TV or radio on, our house cats and dogs seems to amuse him, and there have been no issues.
Thats about it. We haunt the internet for information, but in all honesty are perplexed. These pictures were taken just now. He got after his wing during the night, we're gonna take him in the shower in a few. Any advice would be helpful and appreciated.

 

[saxguy64]

Oh goodness, that poor baby! As you've already figured out, parrots are vastly different from farm livestock. I came at it the other way around. Years with parrots, and then started with chickens just a few years ago. Totally different in pretty much every way. Chickens can eat on their own basically from the first day or so. Parrots are much more dependent.

I think a good place to start is with general mindset. Parrots are essentially on the level of a human toddler, and an umbrella too, maybe more so. You're working with a neglected feral child that doesn't know how to behave. Like any child, good or bad, the only world he knows is gone and he's terrified. He has no good reason to trust humans, and it takes time and patience for him to learn that he can. Maybe a lot of time, and endless patience. Always be the source of positive things.

Plucking and mutilation is a complicated subject and can be from a wide variety of reasons. I'm honestly surprised that an avian vet wouldn't suggest blood work. Perhaps they're looking to get him in better physical shape before doing that? There are definitely physical/health conditions that can cause the behavior. Psychological, definitely can be a cause. Boredom, stress, loneliness, etc. all can be at the root. Once it becomes a habit, it's often extremely difficult to break. There's an endorphin rush that comes with it, much like kids who cut themselves as a coping mechanism.

He'll definitely benefit from better diet. Keep trying. If he's never had veggies, he likely doesn't recognize them as food. Different preparation, shape, all are considered. They can be picky. Think of kids. Things have to be the way they want it or they'll thumb their nose at it. Same deal with parrots. Example: My Amazon is 23 and just decided within the last few months that she likes red bell pepper, but... I have to cut it in pieces of the right size and shape or she ignores it. She likes green grapes, but only cut in half. Whole ones get tossed. Bananas, still won't touch them, but my other two love them. I don't give much fruit though, they're high in sugar and that tends to make them more hormonal. So, keep offering different things and vary how they're prepared. Whole, chunks, shredded... You get the idea. Might be days, weeks, months, or years before he decides to try them and figure out he likes them.

Hopefully some of this is helpful. Stick with us, there's lots of folks here with experience that should have ideas for you as well.