question about inherited bird

[jbelly]

I have recently inherited a yellow napped amazon from my mother who has passed away from cancer. The bird is very familiar with me and knows who I am but not friendly enough to get onto my hand. It doesn't bite, just runs away from my hand. The bird seems fairly happy, by talking, making lots of noise, and playing often. My question is about the birds (Oscar) feathers. He picks out little white feathers frequently. He also has little white specs on the surface of his feathers. It looks like dandruff. I know he use to get sprayed down with water in the tub by my mother and Im not sure if my bird has a problem or just needs a bath. If anyone can give me some feedback I would greatly appreciate it.

[bb100]

Take him to the Vet first to make sure his health is okay. With my 13yr old Amazon I took in we had to bathe him alot at first to get his feathers clean. I changed him over from an all seed diet to a pellet & fresh food diet. Took about a month to change him over. His feathers are looking better every day now. Lastly, have patience in handling him since it's a big change coming into a new home.

[Cindy215]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Thanks for giving Oscar a home I'm sure it's upsetting to him too so it's good he'd adjusted as much as he has for now.

I agree with bb100. They're prone to artheriosclerosis too, so alot of fresh foods would be good. Dark leafy greens, veggies especially red and orange, some grains and fruits. And exercise of course. Flying is best if he'll try.

Just as a precaution...make sure if you have an air purifier running that you dont have the ionizer kind they emit stuff into the air that lays on the birds feathers. Ions are not recommended for birds I know of some who plucked overnight. (not saying it's the white dander you see just saying fyi..)

AND the water I'd suggest you use distilled only for bathing food and drinking. Sometimes the waters are different between homes and alot have tons of chemicals and minerals in the tap. Again,just as a precaution.

I'd also check your humidity it may be dry. Mine is running 28% this month way too low and I need humidifiers. I make sure I get to 50% in the bird sleeping room overnight and about 35% throughout the house so far is the max I can get right now...but I should have two humidifiers and don't.

He'd may enjoy a bath but for now since he's not going around the house with you yet, perhaps a big heavy crock like a dog bowl on the top of the cage or on a table or wherever he goes? You'd maybe have to drizzle water in it to get his attention. I also have a bird who loves to bathe on wet kale. (but I still need to supplement these baths with spraying him, though lol) I cant say I've heard this about Amazons, though. If you see him attempt to get in the crock you'll know he wants a bath and can offer spraying. I'd use a non threatening type bottle and make a fun thing of it and only spray from way above him down like rain....unless he loves it and comes close up. Some do.

Breeding season is approaching in a couple of weeks so it would be good to make sure everything is "lined up" to make it easier on him. Meaning a fixed sleep schedule in a dark quiet room following the natural daylight hours (will be 12 hours in another couple weeks), including dusk and dawn without artificial lighting after 3 (if you are home and can do it, otherwise fake it with a dimmer in a lamp placed down on the floor for 15-30 minutes), not alot of excessive protein and vitamin e, alot of enrichment ....like another place to "go play" maybe on a boing hung from the ceiling over a table he can play on....stuff like that.

[kristy29]

Why when I am reading this post is the word ****** just stars?