Need Help

[Hollywoodskeeper]

Hello I have a couple of questions of concern. I have grown up with a mexican redhead parrot that my grandmother has had since i was 8 and now I am 22. I Visit him regularly but i notice that over the years his feathers are going away all the underbelly is just covered with white fluffy feathers no color. He use to have all his feathers. My Grandmother keeps him in a cage that is small for his size. He only lets me touch him or handle him and my grandmother can aswell as long as I am not in the same room. He doesnt like anything or anyone near him with out him trying to bite. Hes has been fed more of a seeds than anything he Is getting older and he doesnt really do much anymore he never is let out of his cage due to him flying and eating the wood on the window. he has one toy 2 perches but never really moves from the perch he has. I dont want to offend my grandmother by telling her how i know he probably feels. I am at the point where i need to help him it breaks my heart when i see how he is. So now I am at the point where I am going to help him I cant just take him away but I want to show her how much attention he really needs. He never gets to bathe since he doesnt have anything big enough besides his water bowl which is to small for him to get in. He does sleep alot. I want him to be happy and live a long life. At the rate hes going I dont think he will. I have been trying to save some money so I can get a bigger cage and lots of toys and comfy perches and just happiness. Since this will be a Huge change for him How should i approach it with out freaking him out. He is scared of the one small toy he has. I know it will take time for him to adjust but I hope this will help him. Any Suggestions or advice will truly help me

[Valo's Moirana]

go to a bookstore in your area and get one of the books on parrot keeping and behavior... nowadays most of them contain detailed information about how intelligent those birds are, how important interaction is, cage sizes, the necessary variety of foods and how to deal with behavior problems... pick one wiht lots of photos to illustrate to your grandma that there's a way to improve her bird's life

good luck

[Lori~D]

I would simply start by bringing him one new toy at a time. Lay it outside or hang it outside the cage until your next visit. Let him watch you put it in while you have him out, keep him close. If you get a new cage assemble it in front of him let him be a part of it. when its mostly done get him and put him to perch on it while you finish and put his old things in it while he watches or you can put him in his old cage right next to it for a few days and gradually take each of his things one day at a time and move them over to the new "apartment". Always let him watch. He is probably pulling his feathers out Im sure. He is not old unless he was old when you were eight. He is just bored I think. Start adding things to his diet in a different dish and dont worry if he doesnt try them right away. You can also get him a shishkabob toy and put some fresh foods on it, but make sure you remove them before you go so she doesnt leave them to spoil. I would just do these things with each visit rather than all at once. He may not be scared of the toy - simply doesnt care for it. He needs some toys he can tear apart, shredders, preeners, and wood both hard and soft in bright colors. heck even safe wood with Bark is great

[Lori~D]

and get him a playstand first so he has a place to sit outside the cage and watch and just be

[Monica]

I'm glad your willing to help your grandmother, however considering diet, this amazon may be suffering from malnutrition, and may need an avian vet checkup which could easily be $300 or more to ensure the bird is healthy (i.e. bacteria and fungal infections). Books may help a lot although sometimes it may help to have someone listen to an "expert" about care.

A pelleted diet with fresh foods would help if you could get the amazon to eat the food. Eat in front of him and share the food.

As for the plucking (i.e. missing feathers), this could be due to stress, boredom, diet, or even illness. Again, another reason to get a vet check. I'd have to say health first, happiness afterwards, if at all possible. See if you can find local bird clubs in the area who might be able to help out... perhaps an animal fund for vet bills if you need a bit help in that area (also check to see if the vet will accept payment plans as this may help out). Check local ads and flee markets for deals on cages, toys, etc.

[texas sphinx]

Could you post some pictures?