Cockatiel bold head - new bird

[katyak]

Hello, I am new to cockatiels and birds. Got a cockatiel, 2-3month old. He is missing feathers on the head, and also some missing under wings. Got him from guy keeping different birds in a shed. The owner messaged the night before collection and told the bird had a fight and his eye damaged... I wonder would it recover at all and what shall i do? My daughter did not want to hear anything about waiting till it heals. He is not tamed so cannot really catch him to put anything into eye... But i would if really needed. Please help with advice...

I was reading online that baldness can be due to ringwarm? The owner told he is just not fully feathered...
What shall i use against parasites it can have?

He is sitting on 1 leg mostly when awake, the other one does not hold tight into the branch...

On the photo is his eye photo the owner sent me on friday night. We collected him on Saturday. No changes in the eye since...really worry for the bird with all these things.. Would appreciate any advice

 

[Feather]

Welcome to the Avenue!

Yikes, that eye looks pretty bad. He should be looked at by an avian vet.

Poor genetics can cause cockatiels, especially of the lutino mutation, to have a bald patch on top of their head under the crest. And under the wings is pretty sparsely feathered on all birds, so I doubt you have much to worry about there, either. Under NO circumstances should you treat for any kind of parasite unless with vet guidance. You could very easily kill your bird with over-the-counter treatments.

But seriously, vet time. I'm very concerned about that eye, and even without it a new bird should get a wellness check just to make sure everything is on the up and up.

 

[katyak]

Thank you very much for answer, that good to hear about feathers. I am in Cork, ireland and did not find vet for birds around. Mostly dogs and cats. Will look again.

 

[Feather]

Thank you very much for answer, that good to hear about feathers. I am in Cork, ireland and did not find vet for birds around. Mostly dogs and cats. Will look again.

This one is the closest I'm able to find... about 3hrs from Cork: Bairbre O'Malley Veterinary Hospital
I know that drive is probably not ideal, but maybe you could email them with the photo of his eye and see what they think.

Sometimes regular dog and cat vets will have a "bird specialist," if not on their regular staff then one who visits from time to time. It may be a long shot, but you could reach out to a closer clinic and ask. Welcome to Sunbeam Veterinary Hospital Cork

I can't for the life of me remember which of our members are in Ireland.

 

[sunnysmom]

Welcome to the forum. As mentioned, some baldness on the head under the crest is pretty normal for that mutation. I think a vet check is needed though for the eye.

 

[katyak]

Thank you. Bringing the the birdy to the vet today. We have a large cage, and he is not tamed. How is best to bring him so he is less stressed? With the large cage? Or do i need to catch him and put in the box? Would not feel like to traumatize him.
In the wet i have to ring them and the vet goes to the car to get the bird, and i wait outside... So vet needs to get him somehow then? Find it rather stressful. he just started to eat from my hand

 

[Feather]

Thank you. Bringing the the birdy to the vet today. We have a large cage, and he is not tamed. How is best to bring him so he is less stressed? With the large cage? Or do i need to catch him and put in the box? Would not feel like to traumatize him.
In the wet i have to ring them and the vet goes to the car to get the bird, and i wait outside... So vet needs to get him somehow then? Find it rather stressful. he just started to eat from my hand

If the cage will fit in the car easily, it should be fine to transport him in it. That way he won't have to be toweled twice. But if it's too big and you do have to catch him and put him in a box, I find it's less of an ordeal to towel untamed birds in the dark. They have very poor night vision and this way you won't end up chasing him around and risk him hurting himself in his panic.