AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question hi,
last christmas, my mom adopted a cockatoo for me from a family who couldn't keep him/her any more. i think he is about six years old. when we first got jade, my mom had gotten surgery earlier in december and stayed home for a while, and now jade is attached to her. quite a while ago, my mom started working again, so jade doesn't have any one to play with from 9-6, so now my mom started a new scedule that starts at 5pm-11pm. every time we are about to leave somewhere or are getting ready to go, he spreads his wings out, lifts his yellow head feathers, and squawks non stop. sometimes he does the same thing when we are home eating dinner. also, we have been trying different foods for him because he doesn't eat anything but the sunflower seeds. we also give him things like toast, pasta, string cheese, ect. and when he gets mad he takes big mouthfuls of food and throws it all over the floor over and over again. and when he gets scared of something, he squawks like crazy. we have plenty of toys for him to play with. why is he acting like this, thanks for reading this.
sincerly,
lexi
Answer You're doing a very good job with the fresh foods, but it's very important to get this bird off the sunflower seeds. Those are the worst a bird can eat, right along with peanuts.
In fact, there's a total guide here about how to get him off seeds and on to a healthier food, plus how to modify the behavior issues
www.4AnimalCare.org (click on the bird tab when you get there)
You can do this, just take your time and remember, this bird has a good, long lifetime to go - and is smart enough to always be learning new things.
