New Bird Owner

[DebW]

Hello All-

I am about to take over the care of a 64 year old male umbrella cockatoo I’ve known for about 30 years. His original owner who has had him since he was a few months old and just passed away and I’m bringing him home to live with me. He’s been in a home with other large birds, and I’m getting him a new set up. He had a stroke 4 years ago and has recovered well with the exception of his foot,which won’t open all the way but he has adapted. He can still perch, walk across the floor and climb a chair. What I’m looking for is advice for the best cage for him as I am not bringing the one he’s been in. He’s out a lot and really just uses it for sleeping. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Debbie

[Pajarita]

Hi, Debbie, and thank you so much for taking on the responsibility of caring for an old bird! If he is only going to use it for sleeping, you don't need a very large cage but I would urge you to buy one that is not too small because one never knows what might happen... you might need to keep him in the cage for one reason or another - even another stroke.

A medium-large size one on a stand with a couple of ladders going to the floor - you do not say if he flies but, at his age, he most likely does not because many years ago, we clipped the babies all the time and ended up with a few generations of birds with muscle and tendon atrophy. I would also put a couple of nice size branches (the kind that has little branches coming off the bigger branch) tied to the sides of the cage (make sure the weight is evenly distributed) going up and sideways (I hang toys and stick pieces of fruit on these branches for added entertainment). And get a nice supply of large boxes made with thick cardboard because they are in breeding season right now and birds never stop producing sexual hormones no matter how old they are.

But my strongest recommendation is for you to take him to an avian vet for a complete check-up (CBC, chem panel, ionized calcium, bile acids and both chest and abdomen XRay) if he has not gotten one in the last 6 months because, at his age and with a history of a stroke, I am sure that his health is not the best it can be and he will most likely require a special diet and, if nothing else, supplements for his liver.

Good luck, thank you again for taking him and let us know if we can be of further help.