New photo of my cockatoo! Look how feathery he is now

[AlienGirl]

You can hardly tell he still chews his feathers. He had a naked chest when I got him, so he's come a long ways.

Tucker

[david13]

1. Nervous habit. Unhappy with his life. Give him a good home, and

keep him happy, and he should be fine.
dc

[AlienGirl]

5. The habit started in his first home, 13 years and two owners ago

Once it's started, psychologically-induced plucking is really hard to stop, even with optimal care. There's even been some evidence coming out that occasional wild parrots will pluck or overpreen, suggesting a neurological susceptibility to it which is "triggered" by stress or boredom.

Tucker

[david13]

7. Don't let him get bored, I guess. I don't know how that can be done.

I know my cat suffers when I'm gone, he has no way whatsoever to entertain himself.
No hobbies, nothing. I suppose a companion cat is the best bet for him, but that ain't easy either.
Good luck.
dc

[AlienGirl]

8. Lots of projects to work on in his cage

When I'm home and awake, he's "helping" me with everything. When I have to leave him in the cage, he has things to shred, toys to take apart, hidden treats inside of boxes that have to be opened, "nesting material" to be processed, and either the TV or music on. The toys rotate weekly. Whenever possible, I take him out for his favorite activity: meeting kids, who he will wave at, say hi to, and solicit petting from.

Cockatoos are really smart, like a human toddler, so they have to have plenty of "projects."

Tucker

[david13]

9. Well, that's great. He likes to meet kids. And he keeps busy.

My cat is like me, he hates kids. But he likes women.
And he likes good conversation. He likes to get in the middle, and then fall asleep.
It's a very different life for a cat, vs a vs a bird.
dc

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Hey! He's looking really good!

[AlienGirl]

10. Thanks! For comparison:

Here he is in 2005. Notice how his chest has only down, no contours. (The pink wings are from a perch that made pink dust.)




Tucker

[japple]

3. How beautiful! What a nice white ball of fluff. Are his eyes blue?

He's a lovely boy.

[AlienGirl]

6. Blue skin around his eyes! His eye color is dark grey-brown, almost black.

[livetohike]

4. Beautiful! Good job AlienGirl

:hi: He looks happy too.

[AlienGirl]

11. Thank you! He is a pretty happy bird!

[Kookaburra]

12. That is one handsome fella

:)

[AlienGirl]

15. He knows it, too!

[Kat45]

13. He looks gorgeous!

I'm so happy to see this. It's always good to see beautiful birds, happy birds. :-)

[AlienGirl]

14. Thank you! He's my baby, and he's come such a long way.

:-)