I adopted six gorgeous cockatiels in late December 2007 from The Gabriel Foundation. This morning, I lost one of them (a cinnamon pied male) who happened to be my favorite. He was the friendliest of all ... as long as I kept my distance ... and we wolf whistled together while he threw his beautiful wings out to show them off.
Dr. LaBonde performed the necropsy this afternoon and determined cause of death as fatty liver disease. This is usually a result of feeding a seed-only diet. At the time of adoption, I was told they didn't eat much more than seed.
I never had a chance to even give him a name. I just hope the other five cockatiels from the same home will adapt to the healthy diet I offer everyday so they don't succumb to this very avoidable condition.
Rest in peace, little guy.
