I understand why you'd be on the fence about sharing these kinds of photos. People with disabled birds or birds with visually obvious conditions can be understandably protective. People are very curious and you wouldn't want the being you love to be a side show attraction or open to harsh criticism.
It could be quite educational if you chose to tell the forum what it was like caring for Obi though. If you'd be up for that. It's completely okay if it's too hard or you just don't want to.
I've read that vasas turn white when they have PBFD. Vasas have a strange ability to change color without molting feathers, they do it throughout the year going from a matte black to a glossy brown. The color to their skin and beaks also cycle. They are the only parrot I know of with the ability to do this.
Did Obi turn white once sick or did the feathers just fall out?
From the photos it appears he is having some trouble keeping the color he should have had in his skin, beak and even toenails as well. Like his body just can't consistently color him. I can't tell if he is in season or not because in season the skin is typically a very intense yellow and out of season it's pink. He's mottled all over. His beak is also pretty patchy, but that's kind of common in young vasas. How old was Obi?
It's strange though because I don't think that the toenails change color in a healthy bird, but it appears as though Obi was losing or maybe lost the ability to retain the dark nails vasas normally have. You can see them turning pink near his feet and getting darker at the tips.
This is one of the very worst things that can happen to any parrot, I feel. It's a terrible thing to see in any bird, but especially hard with this species, I think, because you see it affecting them just that little bit more.
It must have been very hard for the both of you. I have to say though, that you seem like a very resilient person to me. To have gone through this and come out of it not only willing but wanting to love and care for another bird with the same disease...I really admire that kind of strength.
P.S.
He's quite cute feathered and not, don't worry. There's a certain vulnerability and yet outward strength to featherless birds that's honestly just ridiculously adorable. The nakedness reminding us of freshly hatched baby birds probably also plays a role. His photos are really great.
