What makes an Umbrella Cockatoo stomp her feet?

[Linda64]

I have taken Amy to the avian vet and had blood work done. The only thing the vet said Amy had a problem with is that her white blood count was slightly elevated. I know that when a bird is upset, the white count can become elevated and I am wondering if that is the situation with Amy.
Amy also is stomping both feet, but seems to be content. She is eating good and loves to cuddle, displays, and flys. There are times when she is stomping her foot that she stops and looks at her foot in a puzzled way as if she is trying to figure out what is wrong with her foot. I have raised Amy since she was 4 months old. Last night I put Amy to bed at 7:30, but after about 10 minutes Amy called me and I took her out of the cage and she didn't go back into the cage until 8:30. Amy slept until 8:00 this morning and always is a bundle of energy.

Amy is supposed to go back to the doctor in two weeks for more blood work and another antibiotic shot. I am not sure if this is the best thing or not. I have talked to the breeder I got Amy from and she suggested that I get the white count because it is important to know the numbers and possibly it is because of the toweling, needles, that has upset Amy. It is the foot thumping that concerns me. The vet gave me some fish oil to give Amy orally because her skin is drier than it should be and her feet are dry too.

Hopefully, someone else has experienced this foot thumping.

Thanks,
Linda A.

[Greycloud]

Hhmm...you have obviously stumped us since no one as replied. I have a U2 male, he never stomps his feet. It might be a behavior of frustration of some kind or maybe her feet itch since you said she has dry skin. I would spray her with a 50/50 mixture of aloe and water all over, feathers and feet. See if this helps. Are her nails clipped nicely? Maybe they feel funny. I stomp my feet when I am made at my husband. LOL! Maybe she is just hormonal and wants extra TLC. These are my only thoughts.

[Linda64]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have been very worried about Amy! When I took her to the vet he trimmed her nails and beak, but she was stomping her feet before her nails were trimmed. I don't have an aloe plant, but I have been rubbing 100% pure aloe vera on Amy's legs where she had chewed the top of her legs causing her leg to bleed. This seem to stop the chewing on her legs.

[Peachesmom]

My M2 has stomped her feet, usually when she is uncomfortable and itching. We've been having serious issues with her mutilating herself.

[Linda64]

The vet gave Amy some fish oil to take, .05 daily....I mix it with her oatmeal and applesauce in the morning and she eats it! This makes me feel better to know that the stomping of their feet is due to itching. Amy was also biting at her feet almost to the point of making them bleed. This fish oil has made a difference in Amy's skin, she isn't stomping her feet as much and hasn't been chewing or picking at her feet lately. Amy has had a tendency to pick her chest, but she has beautiful new feathers now.

[Monica]

Personally, I'd recommend Red Palm Oil over fish oil, if it's for the dry skin..... fish oil isn't often recommended as a supplement for birds.

As for the foot stomping, I have heard it's a mating ritual in cockatoos, there's even a video of it in a black cockatoo. There's info about it here...
ADW: Probosciger aterrimus: Information
Black Palm Cockatoos
Australian birds: Black Palm Cockatoo

However, in your case, it sounds more like irritation, than a display or otherwise. I would suggest a second opinion from another avian vet if you can find one.

[Linda64]

I have googled Red Palm Oil and there are several brands. One brand, OLA OLA Carotino, produced impressive results in birds that had a plucking problem. Your response is appreciated!

[Congobongo]

Yes, Red Palm oil is really good for them. How often do you mist and shower her?

[Linda64]

I received the Red Palm Oil yesterday and I am giving her 1/4 teaspoon every other day in her morning oatmeal. Amy gets in the shower with me every day, but doesn't always get soaking wet, but she does get her feathers damp. She has never liked to be misted.
Thanks for your response!