Born without toes.

[turquoisecheek]

So, I bought my TGCC from a flea market about a year and a half ago. She was alone in a cage by herself when I first saw her, and I immediately fell in love. I noticed, after a few minutes of watching her, that she didn't hang from the top of her cage at all, nor was she very good at walking on the bottom of the cage. I asked the owner of the store about it, and she told me that Tootsie, (named so by the shopkeeper because of the toes she lacks), was actually born missing them. Of course, this didn't keep me from bringing Toots home with me, nor does it keep her from doing anything she feels like doing, but after all this time, I still have yet to talk to anyone about this weird birth defect. Does anyone else have a bird with this condition? And will the defect affect her lifespan or health in any way?

 

[IcyWolf]

While it could be a birth defect, it's more likely that the parents bit the toes off of the baby shortly after she hatched. It happens more often than you'd think, for whatever reason some parents, especially if they are a young pair or are subjected to many disturbances will mutilate toes, beaks and even pluck their babies. Fortunately, most birds adapt rather well to their "handicap" and it really shouldn't be too much of an issue for her. If it is a genetic thing she could have other unseen problems but I would be highly surprised if this wasn't in fact done by the parents.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I agree, most likely the parents removed the toes. She's very cute

 

[DannyA93]

Her little stubs are cute X)

 

[turquoisecheek]

Thank you! From what I was told, this was due to inbreeding a few generations ago. (It's disgusting what some breeders will do for money.) The only other "problem" she has had is a bald spot on the top of her head, which isn't very uncommon and has nothing to do with her toes. It doesn't slow her down at all, though! She has no idea she was ever supposed to have them and gets along just fine without

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Tootsie is beautiful. Thanks for sharing and welcome to forum.

I wonder about that genetic thing. No reason to doubt it, but maybe to question it -- because the bald spot makes me wonder if Tootsie was plucked at as a baby too.

To me, Tootsie looks perfect, bold and beautiful.

 

[everdusk]

I have a cockatiel who has one foot just like that. I am not sure what the reason is as I rescued him from a pet store FULL of cockatiels with missing toes, bald heads, and a mite infestation. I was told he was "probably" born that way but it was clear they came from a horrible place. I am leaning more towards it being an inbreeding effect for him though seeing as his brother has one eyelid that cannot open more than 1/2 way.

However, it could be parents, or it could be a humidity issue when he was growing. If the air is to dry the scales around their feet can shrivel and cut of circulation to the rest of the toe causing natural amputation.

Pip gets along fine without his toes, though he is a bit clumsy. They don't seem to notice that they are unusual. <3

 

[MonicaMc]

Missing ligaments rarely ever impact birds! They learn to cope!


I got to meet one very precious and adorable tiel who only has one foot! When he wanted attention, he'd fly to you! And he didn't care who was handling him! It is unknown why he has only one foot, but he's so precious! Took a video of him and posted it on Youtube!


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8yp2rVRuXw]Ipod - The one legged Cockatiel - YouTube[/ame]



Here's the comment left by the one who finally ended up with him! (left on Youtube) If it wasn't for the fact that I didn't need any more tiels, I would have snatched him up myself!

I have adopted I-Pod and he was renamed "Happy Foot". He is the sweetest cockateil and loves to socialize with my other cockateils. I'm not sure of his age but he seems young. You would never know he had this handicap as he does exactly what the other birds are doing. So sad that he went to 3 or 4 different homes before I found him.

And I know an owner of two African Greys both missing different amounts of toes. She keeps them flighted in a huge double macaw cage! Plus, time out of the cage! They even have a lovely outside area!

You can find photos of Shinda & Mojo (the greys missing toes due to parents biting them off in the nest) in the following link
Collection: Parrots

And you can find videos of both on your youtube channel!
flipflopip's channel - YouTube