Need Help With A Depressed Bird

['too crazy]

As some of you may know from a previous thread, I got a new goffin cockatoo last Sat. He's 8 years old and was VERY spoiled by his previous owners. My problem is I think he is depressed and missing them. He's not eating very well and he spends alot of time in his cage even though the door is always open. Anyone have any ideas as to how I can help make this transition easier for him? I've never had this problem before and I'm really getting worried. I spend every minute I can talking to him and petting him. Oh and by the way, his name is Murry and today he is 8 years old! :D

[Gems]

give him time to adjust. He is in totally new surroundings and is probably very insecure. As long as he is eating, drinking and pooping, just let him be. He will start to become more comfortable and start venturing out a little further as he gets used to it. Only give him the amount of attention you intend to give him all of the time. The best way to ruin a too is too much attention right away. I'm sure you already knew that, but just a friendly reminder :D
I have one of my partner's goffin babies that is being stubborn about crying and weaning, and the first few days she was here she was very much the same way. She has gotten used to being here rather quickly though.

[krazy4birds]

I agree with Jason, Sherry. I would not know what else to do. Keeping you in my thoughts

[Squawksx3]

Hey sis.. it took Hedwig(G2) about 3 weeks before he started moving around and exploring his new cage and surroundings. He really withdrew and hid in the corners of his cage, he was 7 yrs old at the time.. very scared and unsure. Like the others said... just give it time and he'll come around in his own time. :)

[Jenny]

Congrats on the new family member! I agree with what others said. Also, I'd been thinking myself lately that maybe giving Mortie (my BCC plucker) more omega-3 foods (or a supplement) might help, then out of the blue some lady who sells nutrition products for humans suggested that to me, so maybe it'd help. In depressed humans anyway, sometimes supplementing wiht Omega-3 really makes a huge difference. So maybe that'd be worth a try(?). I'm sure he's missing his former owners terribly, but he'll get used to living with your family in time.

['too crazy]

Thanks guys. He is eating but one day he'll eat good and the next he doesn't hardly eat at all. He just ate half of a half ( :confused: ) of a peanut butter sandwhich and he was really squawking when he heard me come home so that was a good sign. We just noticed how small he was next to Barney and we're thinking he doesn't have much weight he can afford to lose. I'll just give it time though. Thanks again! :D

[daniland]

it appeared from your previous posts that this is a seasonal activity (meaning that he did this with his previous people). so i don't think he plucks cuz he misses them (although i'm sure he does miss them). is that true? did he do it before you got him?

it could have started as boredom, and is now ingrained. there are other suggestions for plukers in "thye second hand parrot". i highly recommend it for people with second-hand birds & without. what works for ingrained behavior will also work with bappies! get it here: http://www.thebirdbrain.com

i have heard goffins are very "hands on" birds that can be easily "spoiled"- they crave affection & cuddles & people that don't foster independence at a young age could end up with a bird that is less independent and more prone to plucking as a result.

i read in "the second hand parrot" (a must read!!!!) of a bird behaviorist who stuffed the cage full of branches, leaving very little space for the bird. the bird then had to spend all its free time turning the branches into splinters to make room for itself, and forgot about plucking until some feathers had grown in.

btw, that URL i gave also does bird behavioral consults. they are in colorado, but maybe they can do something over the phone, or know someone in MI.

good luck. my thoughts are with you.