Birdbutler
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 3/16/19
- Messages
- 1
Hi all, I am new here. Seeking help. I just lost my Wog, a 36 yr old African Grey who I'd had for 32 years. I am gutted - and so is Petrie, my 28 yr old Blue & Gold Macaw, who was bonded to Wog. Petrie has been with me and Wog for the past 25 years. Petrie is now plucking bigtime -- and I cannot seem to coax him to stop. Doing more screaming too, but that's OK. I can deal with that, I just hate to see him denuded!
I am trying very hard to be cheerful around Petrie, and to hold good images in my head as well (as I am fully convinced at this point that they siphon the content of our minds quite readily). I am singing with him, which he loves. Am keeping a heater going near him as well.
Petrie responds to distractions, but soon goes back to plucking. I have new toys, great treats, etc. I just do not know what to do. Was thinking about putting up a bunch of colorful parrot pictures... he has never been the only bird before. There are dogs and cats and a bunny here too, but he's rather indifferent to them.
Petrie has done some plucking in the past, but had allowed feathers to regrow at various times. Usually just does a bit of his chest, sometimes his legs, and when its bad, tops of wings too. Right now, his wings are still OK, but he's got his chest and feet bare. We are both grieving badly, and we hurt, no doubt.
Wog died suddenly. Looks like a stroke. Wog had weakened over a 2 week period, and he died at home. Petrie saw Wog, and groomed Wog after he died, so he totally knows.
Any ideas about how to try and halt the plucking? Getting another bird is not the best idea, as I am getting ready for a cross county move this summer! I might rescue one when I get settled tho. Thanks, Annie
I am trying very hard to be cheerful around Petrie, and to hold good images in my head as well (as I am fully convinced at this point that they siphon the content of our minds quite readily). I am singing with him, which he loves. Am keeping a heater going near him as well.
Petrie responds to distractions, but soon goes back to plucking. I have new toys, great treats, etc. I just do not know what to do. Was thinking about putting up a bunch of colorful parrot pictures... he has never been the only bird before. There are dogs and cats and a bunny here too, but he's rather indifferent to them.
Petrie has done some plucking in the past, but had allowed feathers to regrow at various times. Usually just does a bit of his chest, sometimes his legs, and when its bad, tops of wings too. Right now, his wings are still OK, but he's got his chest and feet bare. We are both grieving badly, and we hurt, no doubt.
Wog died suddenly. Looks like a stroke. Wog had weakened over a 2 week period, and he died at home. Petrie saw Wog, and groomed Wog after he died, so he totally knows.
Any ideas about how to try and halt the plucking? Getting another bird is not the best idea, as I am getting ready for a cross county move this summer! I might rescue one when I get settled tho. Thanks, Annie
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