BaileysPapa

Like everything else, everything in moderation makes a balanced diet. My birds get pellets, seed mix. fresh veggies & fruit, pasta, rice, and quinoa. Plus, Nutri-Berries and other treats. Of course, they eat what they want, and often not what I want them to. So, you have to try different things, served different ways, until you find what they like. And just because they eat it today, it does not mean they'll eat it tomorrow. And conversely, what they won't eat today, they might eat tomorrow.

As Judy has said, yes her feathers will molt out and grow back. If her primary feathers were cut, it may take longer for her to be completely feathered out. But, she'll be fine. An improved diet, and some sunshine will also be a big help. And, also, as Judy has said, thanks for giving this angel a forever home.

There is an "Eagle Cam" down here also. I've watched this same pair for several years, raise many eaglets. There are also other "cams" for different birds & animals. I used to watch a terrific one with owls, which were a specialty of mine when I was in Wildlife Rehab. The site was closed because of lack of funding. Just google any animal and if there is a cam for it, you'll find it. Thanks for this.

We are all waiting for them to eat their veggies! 8)

I have two female Cockatiels that very often display for me. One is a chronic layer. The vet says that they love me, and except for hormone shots, there isn't much that easily can be done. I've tried turning my back on her when she displays, and it seems to slow things down. Not stop, but, I think she gets a message. It might be worth a try. Have your husband say "No!", and turn his back on her, but not move away. I hope this helps. I've seen this method work with other unwanted behaviors with other birds.

"Toys" to birds is a more descriptive term than an actual item. We consider toys as anything that keeps their attention for any amount of time, and gives them things to destroy without damaging our things. Because, "If they can't destroy it, they don't enjoy it." They do not care how creative you get, or how nice the toy looks. My birds get things like paper cups, plastic drinking straws, wooden spoons, knotted raffia, packing paper wadded up, soft cover books (like phone books or catalogs), natural loofah sponges, wooden clothespins, and undyed craft popsicle sticks. Once you start thinking of bird toys, you'll see things everywhere. Plus, with these types of things, you know exactly what your bird is playing with and chewing. Good luck with your new friend!

I've been rescuing birds for over 45 years, and am happy to welcome you to my world. I run my rescue from my home, like you, and have had a great go of it. Animal Rescue is a difficult thing, especially for birds. You're doing sacred work, and you're doing things right, you're doing things well. Bless you and thank you!

Yes, I, too, have seen this. It is from major stress. Also, maybe the vet gave her a sedative to calm her down. Sometimes that can affect their eyes. Also, other than the cost, why wouldn't you want your bird to have a yearly wellness blood panel? You should be doing that anyway.

Offer him things as if they were for you, not him. They all want what they cannot have. I put my Bailey's new things in my pocket (while he sees), and under cushions on my chair, etc. As if hiding them from him. That's what he goes after. Also, maybe the big, colorful toys scare him. Nothing else in his world is as bright & colorful as them. Give him things that are cheap, and you find all over, like paper cups, plastic drinking straws, cat balls with bells in them, wooden clothespins, wooden spoons from the dollar store, etc. Once you start, everything COULD be a bird toy. Also, if he is a plucker, give him things that he can "preen", and shred, and tear apart.

My Bailey was chattering on about, "I love you", saying it different ways with different emphasis and tones. I looked over and asked, "Who loves you?" He looked right at me, and said, "You!". Another time he was chattering in his "parrot talk", and not making much sense. I said, "Tell me that you love me again." He looked at me and said, "I love you!" We've taught him things that when strung together make sense. So he changes the order around, and is always asking for a kiss, or telling us what a good boy he is, or what a good boy that I am. His new thing is "C'mon!". He'll say, "C'mon, give me a kiss. I love you!" Or some similar grouping. We've only taught him the individual phrases. He puts the sentences together himself.

Having taken in many injured birds, I understand how special they become. Know that you made his life better and longer than it would have been. In nature, he'd have been lunch for something a long time ago. It hurts when they go, but, their suffering is now over. You were a good Mom.

Welcome. You've come to the right place. Many friendly & helpful & knowledgeable people here.

I've handled several pluckers, and he does not look like the normal patterns of plucking. Either another bird did this to him, (it does happen), or he has something going on with either his skin or feathers. Like everyone says, cut back on vitamins and supplements. You can give them too much, and cause problems. He's eating fruits & vegetables and seeds. A natural foods diet is best. Also some sunshine, but no too much. Bird skin is not meant to be exposed to sunlight naturally, and he could get sunburn which will make things worse. Good luck with him.

Also, you can give him common things that we don't think of as "toys". Things you already have that he can chew, shred, and toss around. Like paper cups, paper plates, plastic drinking straws, balled up paper, cardboard, and so much more. Hide treats inside some of them for foraging. Also, the dollar stores have safe simple toys for children, and things for dogs & cats, like rope pull toys, cat balls, etc. Once you start thinking about your fids toys, you'll see possibilities everywhere!

And it all happened because the bird is microchipped!

If they can't destroy it, they don't enjoy it!

JBsMom... I'd be hesitant to remove the water bowl after he learns to drink from the bottle. They get clogged, and the birds can learn to pull out the drip spouts, sending water all over. I had a water bottle for my baby once, and we didn't realize that it got clogged and wasn't giving water. We found out when she was eagerly licking the condensation off of a can of soda. We felt so bad about that! Needless to say, there are no more water bottles in my house.

What you guys mean is the "ARA Project". They are in South America, and rehab & release Macaws. But, those are mostly wild caught birds originally. Google it, they are very interesting. Another issue is that captive bred birds do not have the proper immunity to be released into the wild. In addition to all the other things pointed out. It's a noble thought, but very impractical.

Good luck! I waited 10 years to get another Grey. I just couldn't do it sooner. I now wish I had. Not counting out all of my other birds, I feel like I missed so much without one. I'm glad you won't be saying that.

My thinking exactly.

Well, it's been about a week with Bailey wearing the Aviator Harness. On the DVD, the guy says that these things are "Parrot Proof", and can stand up to the biggest Parrot beaks. That is either salesman BS, or my Bailey has a "Super Beak". In just 5 days of wearing the harness, about 5 hours total wearing time, he has chewed about halfway through the chest strap. He has also made several chinks in other straps of the harness. Plus, destroyed 4 of my T shirts, turning the collars and shoulders into lace. Not to mention biting my ears repeatedly. Think he doesn't like the harness? He used to let me put it on him loosely. But, now squawks and grumbles whenever he sees it. He does allow me to put it over his head, and then the trouble starts. I don't know what to do! I've had other birds accept a harness. So I'm not entirely new to this. My Cockatiel likes his. And I've had other birds that would wear them. I don't want to endanger our relationship by forcing him into an uncomfortable situation. And my ears cannot take too much more of this. Anybody have any suggestions, or advice?

I told ya it seems worse than it is to do. LOL

You have keep trying various things. Cooked / served / cut up, different ways. What they won't eat today, they may eat tomorrow. And what they do eat today, they may not eat tomorrow. I always offer different things. Sometimes raw, sometimes cooked. Sometimes in big pieces, sometimes in little, sometimes chopped up, sometimes mashed. There is always a bowl of seed mix, and a bowl of pellets available.

Hawks and Ospreys are all over the place here, as well. But, I keep a look out, and Bailey rides on my arm, instead of my shoulder, so he's not so exposed.

It IS best to go to a Vet. But, I've been trained by an excellent Avian Vet, and have worked with many birds in my lifetime. Running a Rescue, you cannot always afford to run to the vet for "minor" problems. It's really not as difficult, or traumatic, as it seems. Often, birds will pull out broken feathers themselves.