Long overdue update--remember the bird found walking down the street?

[yewberry]

First, I'd like to thank everyone who helped and offered advice about the little cockatiel. I couldn't have helped him without all of your help. I'd post a photo, but I can't seem to get my photos from the camera to the computer. Duh.

Original posts are here and here.

So, here's what's been going on. We did post signs, call the animal shelter & local PD, and post a couple of ads. There were a few responses, but no luck locating Littlebird's home.

He was hurt and he had an infection, but he's better. He is blind in one eye, though. We had to keep him in a small cage and give him eyedrops for almost two weeks. We were told to keep him away from other birds for 6 weeks, and we're in the fourth week, so we're starting to look into what's next for him.

He's been far less friendly than he was at first--we're thinking that maybe those weeks of having to medicate him might have affected how he sees us. It's hard to tell. He does love riding around on us, and he is noisily upset when he's not in the center of activity or we're out of sight. He likes jazz and classic blues, and doesn't like sirens or the sound of crinkling bags.

I like the little guy a lot, but I don't see having him here for the long term. Our dog is much better about having him here, but it's still a little bit of a struggle. Mostly, I'd like for Littlebird to be with someone who loves him and who he loves. I don't like leaving him home by himself when I'm at work, and I'm not sure how happy he is. I don't even know how to gauge how happy he is.

I guess that's the tale of Littlebird for now.

[Kali]

1. you've named him, you guys know each others' habits, the dog

is getting used to it and it has been a month. Um, I think he is part of the family.:rofl:

[yewberry]

2. Yeah, I guess I see your point.

I would rather have him with someone who loves and understands birds, though, and I'm more of a dog person. I don't think he's very happy, and that makes me unhappy, y'know?

:(

[Kali]

3. if his appetite is good and he likes to ride around on you, I don't think

I wouldn't worry too much. If he chortles and whistles and yes screeches (especially in the morning/evening) he is probably just fine.

Or you could just go get another one (or three) for a companion:P

[yewberry]

4. Caught! I worry too much!

Yes, that's for sure.

He does chortle and whistle and screech. (He's *supposed* to do that? I thought maybe we broke him.) And there's that funny chuck-chuck-chuck thing that he does.

How do I know if his appetite is good/that he's eating enough? He doesn't let me touch him with my hand, so I don't know how skinny he is. (Did I mention the biting? There's biting.)

[Kali]

5. Hee hee - try a full size macaw! THAT is a bite.

Some birds just don't like to be pet, but his problem is probably all the medical treatment - how do you do the eye drops? You can always use a small towel or a leather glove. The easier way is to just observe droppings - I think for cockatiels there should be 30 to 40 droppings.

here are a couple sites to check out (also ask the vet):

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1829&articleid=2973

http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/droppings.html

[yewberry]

9. Oh, yup. I had a friend with an amazon that bit.

And yes, he did bite me. This little guy barely nibbles in comparison.

We handled the eyedrops with a towel. He tolerated it, but seems to have developed a mistrust of our hands since then.

I've been keeping an eye on his droppings--they seem healthy, but I don't think he's anywhere near 30-40 per day. I'll be sure to take note.

Hey, thanks for your help. (We need all the help we can get!)

[Shakespeare]

16. See if you can regain his trust with head scratches.

I'd try extending an index finger, and making little scritchy movements--the universal sign for "want a head scratch?"

But be warned, you may become a head scratch slave to the little Einstein. :7

[yewberry]

17. I'll try

but so far he hasn't been really psyched about our hands (since the eyedrops).

I'll start trying tomorrow. He LOVES playing with my bracelet, but b/c he's blind in one eye, he's very cautious.

So, they like head scratches? Hm, I will try to offer them, then.

Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes!

[fortyfeetunder]

7. size, droppings

Mature tiels weigh around 80-100g and if you can't see his breastbone stick out from his chest, you know he's eating well.

They eat 2-3 tsp food a day...

Droppings...about every 15-30 minutes.

[yewberry]

10. Is that it?

2-3 tsp per day?

Gee, I've been freaking out about how little he's been eating! Sounds like he's right on track, though.

I can't see his breastbone, but frankly, I'm not sure what it would look like if I could. We're making sure he has a variety of foods, and he does try them all (okay, not broccoli). I guess that's a good sign.

Thanks for your help! We'll keep on keeping on.

[Skittles]

6. I give you six months

and you will love and understand birds :D

[yewberry]

8. I think the dog might need more time than that!

I'm trying. Really, I am doing my best. I just want what's best for the little guy.

(But we've always fostered dogs in need! How can we do both?!?)

Oy.

[philosophie_en_rose]

11. thanks for the update.

I'm glad Littlebird is safe. The idea of a domesticated bird just walking down the street was very sad. He's lucky he found you. :)

[yewberry]

12. Today's goofy update:

we discovered that Littlebird really, really likes my husband's wheat germ pancakes.

Heck, I'm just glad that we've found *something* that he likes.

Phew.

[Richard Steele]

13. Well, I can only say "bless you" for caring so much about poor LittleBird.

If half of us human beings cared even half as much about
the other half, what a wonderful world this would be.

I remember the thread about you finding him- thanks for the update.

[yewberry]

15. Hey, thanks.

:blush:

We're trying, that's all. Hoping for the best.

(Thanks, really.)

[SoCalDem]

18. We had a little wild parrot called "pancake"

when we came back to the US, we brought him. and somehow they lost his crate in the freight terminal at Kansas City airport,,We had to wander up and down the aisles until he "answered us".. The people there laughed a bit as we wandered around hollering "PANCAKE!!!"

[Kat45]

14. Thanks for the update.

I'm glad to hear that he's doing good.

[sarge43]

19. First, bless you for taking him in and caring for him.

I'm going to assume Littlebird is finding his place in your heart and he's here to stay. They're quite crafty that way.

Don't worry about leaving him alone. If he has things to keep his attention like the radio and a window to look out of (careful of direct sunlight for any length of time), he'll be content. Also, birds spend a great deal of their time peening and napping, so he doesn't really need a lot of sensory overload. You might want to get one of those seed sticks - it'll give something to chew on (they are maniacal chewers) and something to do. If he has his quality time in the evening with his people, that'll serve. Parrots like an established routine.

From your description he sounds very happy. That he demands your attention and is running his mouth is an excellent sign. An ill or unhappy bird doesn't do that. Yes, he's not happy about the medical treatment (who ever is?), but he'll get over it. Tiels don't have a strong long term memory.

Some people food to try: Cooked beans and rice, bits of bread, broccoli flowerets, peas, corn, parsley, cooked oatmeal, in general any cooked grain and veggies, cooked or raw depending upon preference. They don't seem to like fruit all that much. Get a small seed cup for his treat food and clean it every day. No fatty foods, milk products, anything with a lot of sugar and absolutely nothing chocolate. Re his seed mix, stay away from a mix with a lot of sunflower seed in it, no more than a 1 to 10 ratio. Sun seeds are the equivalent of french fries -- too much fat, not enough nutrition and they'll pig out on them, ignoring their other food. Oh yes, an occasional millet spray is always a welcome treat.

Re the breast bone. If he were seriously underweight, you'd be able to see its outline.

The neck rub. They, of course, can't peen their head or neck; so they depend upon another bird or their people to do the deed. Also, it's part of the bonding ritual in the flock and between mates - kissy face, huggy bear. So you'll get the head bow and if you're not quick about it, a nibble. Attend, attend!

More later on cages, baths and clipping.

[johnnie]

20. Sounds like he likes ya

You are probably right re: him being a bit "pissed" at your hands because of what you needed to do, but you can gain his trust again. You can start using a small wooden dowel to give him neck scratches and gradually work up to your fingers. If you pull your fingers away really quick when he goes to nip, he thinks it is a game. The bites typically don't hurt that bad, so you may try to keep your finger there and show him it doesn't bother you.

I have two, a male and a female, they can be noisy, but they make me laugh sometimes. Mine don't like to come out of the cage, so I don't get too much interaction with them, but I spend time with them. They like to be noticed and need some attention.

He will consider you part of his flock, so that is one reason he will screech, he wants to make sure you are around. When he does that, just tell him hello. They really are a neat pet to have and can be pretty amusing.