Need some bird help!!!

[Boaman79]

I got a cockatiel in as a rescue type thing. Ive had one in my life as a teen but its been 15+ years ago. I know enough about them to take care of them but this one is acting a little strange. Its a young bird...his head hasnt turned yet...its still white. Anyways, he is keeping one or both eyes closed sometimes. Is this a stress response?? Do birds have stress like reptiles?? Nothing is swollen...he looks very healthy and has been taken care of. The reason I got him is that a teenage kid didnt want anything to do with him and stopped taking care of him. Him mom took care of him so he was under care but she wanted to find him a good home and called me.


Any help would be great.....thanks.

[amercnwmn]

how is the rest of your bird looking?
For instance, are his eyes, nostrils, and vent clear? If he has drainage, or if his nostrils are plugged, he may be sick and in need of vet care. Since he wasn't cared for very well by the previous owner, you might try to get it in to see a vet.

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[Boaman79]

Everything looks good. He has no drainage and everything is clear. Thats what has me stumped is that there are no "symptoms" that I can tell. He looks good and is a great looking bird other than this.

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[Adrya]

What are you feeding the bird?

If you can get Zupreem natural or fruit blend flavor pellets for cockatiels, see if the bird will eat that. My patagonian conure took to the fruit blend right away, and it should be the main diet. I wouldn't just switch it out totally from seed mix, if that's what the bird is eating. I would maybe put in another feeding bowl or something with the pellets in it, and observe and see if the bird eats any of it.

Usually when you first bring new birds home, they need time to settle down in their new environment and get used to you. This might take a week, a couple of weeks, or could take a month, depending on the birds. Your new tiel is most likely scared to death and stressed out from the move. I'd just leave it alone until it becomes more comfortable in its new environment. Keep it warm and in a quiet location in your home.

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[Boaman79]

Thank you.....I got it in a back room letting him chill out. I just have the seed feed they were feeding him but Ill get some of the Zupreem and try that out. I figured they would respond to stress but wasnt sure. Snakes respond to stress and they have the smallest brains on the planet. LOL....thanks for the advice....please keeep it coming.

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[Boaman79]

Heres a pic of the lil fellow:












Dang my skin looks sunburned!

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[Reptscue]

To me that looks like a sick bird... Feel his keel(breastbone) if it is V shaped he is underweight. He looks underweight from here...
And that bird may not change colors.... It looks like a white-faced Cockatiel to me.

Plus... birds hide being sick very well. If they would show it in the wild, they would be eaten.

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[brownsfan222]

He looks very sad. I don't know much about them but good luck!

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[BlackLava]

btw, that is an adult bird, a whiteface cockatiel, a male....its definately not a baby.

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[Lucille]

Originally Posted by Reptscue

To me that looks like a sick bird... Feel his keel(breastbone) if it is V shaped he is underweight. He looks underweight from here...
And that bird may not change colors.... It looks like a white-faced Cockatiel to me.
Plus... birds hide being sick very well. If they would show it in the wild, they would be eaten.

I agree, he looks ill. I have heard that it is good to increase the heat for a sick bird. Maybe you could take him to a vet, be sure the vet has avian experience.

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[Boaman79]

Thanks folks...I learned later it didnt have to change to be a adult. Im looking into the vet thing.



EDIT: I just got some good advice from a rescue here in town. He does lots of bird work and is going to help me with him.

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[Reptscue]

But please do keep in mind that he is not a certified Avian Vet.

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