most of the austrailian and african birds shed powder to repel water, others, such as most south american birds, have oil glands for this purpose. the cockatiel is a powder (dust) bird, and probably is the reason for your sufering. it is wise, as others have sugested, to stay away from it, and i hope you can make your MIL understand. good luck. 
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TIKI - SUN CONURE, cock, hatched 3-9-6
PEEPY (FORMERLY SKY) - BLUE PACIFIC PARROTLET, hen, hatched 7-7-7
RUBY - GREEN WINGED MACAW, hen, hatched 8-22-7
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I'M BUD, man, hatched 5-7-48
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