Cockatoo

Feather plucking / self-mutilation

SignsPulls feathers from chest and legs, chews skin until it bleeds, frayed feathers. Only the head stays feathered

PreventionPrevent boredom with daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys. Minimize environmental changes; have a vet rule out skin disease or pain

PBFD

SignsFeathers deform, fall out and do not regrow; beak overgrows and becomes brittle; lethargy. Young birds may die suddenly

PreventionDNA test before bringing a bird home. Quarantine any new bird for at least 30 days and test. Spreads via powder down, so take care in multi-bird homes

Fatty liver / obesity

SignsHard to feel the breast muscle, overgrown beak or black spots on it, feather color changes, shortness of breath after exercise

PreventionLimit sunflower seeds and nuts to a few per day. Make pellets the main diet; weigh and record daily

Hypocalcemia

SignsSeizures, falling off the perch, leg tremors, unsteadiness after laying. Common in laying hens

PreventionSupply via pellets and dark leafy greens. Sunlight or a bird UV lamp for vitamin D production

Vitamin A deficiency

SignsWhite plaques in the nostrils or mouth, sneezing, eye discharge, beak abnormalities, dull feathers. Caused by a seed-based diet

PreventionSmall daily amounts of carrot, pumpkin, komatsuna and other dark leafy greens. Convert to pellets

Egg binding

SignsCrouching on the floor, straining, swollen abdomen, leg paralysis. Occurs in hens with prolonged hormonal behavior

PreventionAvoid petting that triggers breeding behavior (back, rump), nest-like boxes and dark spots. Keep daylight to 10 hours or less

Beak fracture / split

PreventionUse bars too thick for the beak to catch on; no metal bells or keys. Do not house with other birds

First aidPress bleeding with gauze. The bird cannot eat, so see the vet the same day. Do not discard beak fragments; bring them

Wing / leg fracture

PreventionCover windows, mirrors and fans during out-of-cage time. Do not put a clipped bird up high

First aidDo not splint the wing or leg yourself. Confine in a small towel-lined box, keep warm and see the vet the same day

Blood feather (shaft bleeding)

PreventionGrowing blood feathers break easily. Check for new feathers before out-of-cage time; do not let the bird thrash in tight spaces

First aidPress the base of the shaft with gauze. Do not pull it yourself; if bleeding does not stop, keep pressing and go to the vet

Burns / electric shock

PreventionHide stoves, pots and power cords during out-of-cage time. The powerful beak cuts a cord in an instant

First aidUnplug first. Cool burns with room-temperature water and cover with gauze. Electric shock: go to emergency now

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dried droppings or powder down; mouth-to-beak feeding

PreventionDampen droppings before cleaning and wear a mask. If you get a flu-like high fever, tell your doctor you keep a bird

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (bird allergy)

RouteInhaling dust from powder down, feathers and droppings

PreventionAir purifier and daily cleaning. See a doctor for persistent cough or shortness of breath. Take extra care if a family member has asthma

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteDeep bite wounds from the powerful beak

PreventionRinse the wound under running water and apply pressure. For deep wounds or swelling, get treatment and ask about antibiotics the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via hands or equipment soiled with droppings

PreventionWash hands after handling. Wash bird dishes separately from kitchen dishes

Food

• Large-parrot pellets as the staple, 5–8% of body weight split into morning and evening
• Small daily amounts of dark leafy greens (komatsuna, carrot, bell pepper)
• Nuts and seeds as treats only, a few per day

Water

• Change twice daily. Use a heavy ceramic or metal dish the beak cannot break
• Fouls easily with powder down and food. Wash the dish daily with detergent

Toys & play

• Rotate destructible toys daily: thick natural wood, coconut husk, paper rope
• Foraging toys with hidden pellets make mealtimes last longer
• Metal wire, small bells and frayed old rope cause ingestion and entanglement

Nest, bed & hideout

• Do not provide nest boxes or dark boxes; they trigger breeding behavior
• Cover the cage with a cloth at night and give 10–12 hours of sleep in a quiet room

Bedding & litter

• Line the bottom with newspaper or paper towels and change daily
• Use a floor grate so the feet stay out of droppings
• Powder down and dropping dust go airborne, so wipe with a damp cloth

Cage / housing material

Heavy-gauge stainless steel cage. The bird will undo snap-hook latches itself

Size & space

Minimum 90 W x 60 D x 120 H cm. Wide enough that spread wings do not touch the sides

Layout

• 2–3 natural-wood perches of different thicknesses at staggered heights
• Place dishes away from directly under perches so droppings do not fall in
• Provide a play area (stand) outside the cage for out-of-cage time

Placement notes

• Against a wall in the room where the family gathers, away from the kitchen and direct sun
• The screaming carries to neighbors. Keep away from windows and consider soundproofing

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Out of the cage 3+ hours daily, spending time with the owner
• Before letting the bird out, close windows and doors; hide mirrors, flames and cords
• Build up from short absences to prevent separation anxiety

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–28°C. Healthy adults tolerate 15°C and above, but sick birds need 28–30°C

Humidity50–60%. Winter dryness sends powder down airborne and harms skin and airways

Summer & winter

• Above 30°C in summer the bird pants. Use air conditioning to stay below 28°C and offer more baths
• In winter use a panel heater and thermometer. Cover with a cloth at night; never let it drop below 15°C

Nail trimming

Overgrown nails: have the vet or a bird specialist shop trim them. At home the bird thrashes and may bite. Natural-wood perches wear nails down naturally

Brushing, skin & coat care

A powder-down-heavy bird. Bathe or mist 2–3 times a week to keep feathers clean. Dry in a warm room afterward

Other care

The beak flakes naturally. Overgrowth or deformity suggests liver disease or PBFD; see the vet. Ask the vet about wing clipping

Protection from predators

• Do not let the bird out in a room with dogs or cats. Bacteria in a cat's mouth are lethal
• Crows and hawks attack on balconies and at windows. Do not take the bird outside
• Mosquitoes carry avian pox. Use screens and keep the bird strictly indoors

Foreign-body ingestion

The powerful beak crushes metal, plastic and cords. Keep zinc- and lead-plated items, painted toys, old keys and jewelry out of reach

Being stepped on

This bird spends a lot of time on the floor. Check underfoot before walking. Look at the floor when opening doors. Tell everyone in the house when the bird is playing on the floor

Getting pinched

A bird perched on top of a door gets its toes or wing crushed the moment it closes. During out-of-cage time keep doors fully closed or fully open. Check the gaps in the cage door too

Falls

A clipped bird falls from heights and breaks its keel or legs. Never put it higher than your shoulder. Use a night light to prevent night panic

Escape

It undoes latches itself, so use a padlock. If it escapes, call its name, put the cage and food outside, and report to the police, the public health center and social media. Keep a record of the leg band number

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, say "No" in a low voice, and move your hand slightly in the direction of pushing in
2. With your free hand, gently press the top and bottom of the beak at its base to open it
3. Once released, return the bird to its perch or cage right away and redirect it to a toy
4. Record the trigger (hormones, jealousy, fear) and avoid the same situation

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5 minutes and apply pressure. If bone is visible, bleeding will not stop, or it swells, get medical care the same day

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight trend, droppings paper, diet, time of onset, anything it may have swallowed, copy of the CITES registration certificate

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: rise and fall of the chest and tail movement. Normal is about 25–40 per minute
• Heartbeat: place a finger on the chest and feel for a rapid beat. Normal is 200+ per minute
• Consciousness: call its name, check crest and pupil response, response to touching the beak

Stopping bleeding

• Press the site with clean gauze for 5 minutes; do not keep lifting it to check
• For nail or feather-shaft bleeding, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• Losing a teaspoon or more of blood is life-threatening. Transport while maintaining pressure

Transport

• Line a small carrier with a towel; place a hand warmer outside the towel
• Cover with a cloth to keep it dark and quiet. Do not jostle; keep heating/cooling vents off the bird