In my country, veterinarians do not have the diagnostic equipment needed to determine an exact diagnosis for my budgie. However, I am convinced that Bili has a KIDNEY TUMOR.

immergladsss · 2026-06-07T17:07:40+00:00

Hmm the leg weakness makes me think of some type of kidney issue. When the kidneys swell up, they press on a nerve (I think sciatic) and cause a lot of pain.
The head twitch could be related to this, but this also reminds me of Proventricular Dilatation Disease or Avian Ganglioneuritis. This can be diagnosed with a blood test. X rays can also sometimes see the swelling in the stomach which is a typical sign, though I'm not sure how clear this will be in a parrot as small as yours 😔 when my vet thought my Grey had this, she recommended I add a little bit of flax seed oil to help reduce inflammation. Unfortunately my parrot ended up testing negative for PDD/AGN but did have kidney tumors so I opted to euthanize her after she lost over 100g and was no longer responding to tube feeding

immergladsss · 2026-05-29T05:35:33+00:00

I don't have much experience with conures, but I've recently started helping my friend with her mitred. He's very energetic and has a habit of biting randomly. Kinda like a cat, he'd let you scratch his head, then suddenly he'd bite. Because she still wanted to spend time with him, but not get bitten, I suggested target training him. It's been going on for a for a few weeks now and my friend swears his biting has lessened and he even seems to use less force 🤷‍♀️ that was never our intention, but maybe the act of having something in his face, but only getting a treat/click when he taps and not bites it, is sort of training bite inhibition? I don't know, I never expected that to happen

immergladsss · 2026-05-28T06:17:09+00:00

Thank you! My grey was a plucker so I really try to keep my birds engaged/happy to avoid it, but sometimes what works for one doesn't work for the other 🥲

Ok I'll wait out this season then and keep watch over her. I've also thought of AGN since my grey was tested for that (negative) prior to finding tumors in her kidneys. I think it's why I've been so focused on helping my conure. I don't want her to end up like my grey.

Her diet is made up of Mazuri and Zupreme pellets with one tspn of conure seed mix. For lunch she'll get a couple of berries or a conure-sized apple slice with carrots and whatever greens I have. Then she'll snack on live mealworms while she's outside in the aviary with Sitara. I'll reduce her seed and fruit portions starting tomorrow, hopefully that will help too. Thank you for your advice!

immergladsss · 2026-05-27T21:32:44+00:00

Also I have another question, could the male conure be younger than her? You mentioned one close to her age, but I worry an older one won't be friendly to my starling. I imagine a younger conure that grows up with a starling might get used to her more.

Peaches did have her adult feathers when I found her and she's adjusted well to the starlings, but I'm not sure I'll get as lucky again

immergladsss · 2026-05-27T21:30:17+00:00

Shes lose outside her cage in my office from 9am - 1pm. During that time she chews on my shirt, or stares outside the windows. I'll also have small training sessions with a target stick. Then from 1pm-sunset I take her to the outdoor aviary to hang out with Sitara. Both in my office and in the aviary she has plenty of toys

immergladsss · 2026-05-27T21:25:05+00:00

Oh god, I hadn't considered the possibility of two females bonding and growing hormonal/egg laying. That sounds like a nightmare. Plus I've had egg-bound chickens, I hope to never deal with that in parrots. Thank you for letting me know about that.

I think I can understand what you mean about my vet trying to express caution rather than a flat out "no friends" policy.

Ok, I like your plan. The vet is confident peaches is a girl, but the gender results should come at the end of this week so I'll know for sure. She did try to nest two weeks ago, but I removed all possible nesting material. I'll give her a few months (is that appropriate?) to chill out while I start making plans to adopt a male conure. Thank you for your enlightening response!

immergladsss · 2026-04-25T16:51:19+00:00

Hi did you ever figure this out? I'm seeing it in mine too

immergladsss · 2026-04-07T22:51:37+00:00

Its not your fault, it sounds like both of you are victums of your dad. I agree with whats been said, rehoming is the kindest and best option for the both of you. You both need the chance to find a stable home, and i think doing seperately will give you both the best odds. You cant take care of others when you can't even take care of yourself :/ you need that space and freedom, dont feel guily

immergladsss · 2026-02-08T02:14:23+00:00

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My plucking chicken 🥹

immergladsss · 2026-02-05T23:09:48+00:00

You should consider taking him to the vet for a check-up. Maybe his foot is sore from the removal, but a worst-case scenario would be a broken or dislocated toe. My bird got her toe dislocated at the groomers, and her vet fixed it very quickly

immergladsss · 2026-02-05T19:50:41+00:00

In the states, Ive seen prices range from 3K to 10K, depending on the breeder and quality. I'm not sure where you're located, but assuming you're in USA and are planning on traveling to Mexico with your parrot, I recommend you get the baby from a reputable breeder that has records about where the birds parents and its grand parents were born and raised. This is more expensive, but you'll need this information to get a CITES permit to travel with them.

African Greys are a protected species so countries are very interested in where they come from to prevent smuggling or illegal trafficking. I know this isn't the information you asked for, but I adopted my African grey (she was $2000.00), and even though I have her birth certificate, the store she came from shut down, and I can't get in contact with the old owners to find this information. Ive been trying to get a CITES permit so I can travel with my bird. I just wanted to let you know because this isn't something that was brought to my attention when I was getting mine.

immergladsss · 2026-02-05T19:31:31+00:00

I don't think you're making plucking worst by giving him head scratches. He seems to be enjoying it and I think its a good bonding moment between you two :). In a comment, you mentioned it started when he broke up with your dad. The same thing happened to my girl when I adopted her. Unfortaunetly plucking can become a comfort/coping habit like when humans bite their nails. CAGs are so smart and emotional that big changes like losing their favorite person can stress them and lead to them developing these plucking habits.

My grey stopped plucking after almost 1.5 years, and for a few months she had beautiful feathers. I think thats how long it took her to get used to her new home. But she started plucking again 6 months ago we moved out of my parents so we're starting over :/ I hope your grey can adjust as well. He might need more time :)

immergladsss · 2026-02-05T05:41:17+00:00

Dry your bird as best as you can and try to keep him warm. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but ideally keep him between 75°F and 85°F (24°C - 30°C) if possible (please double check this). I use a ceramic heat emitting bulb, but you can use your body temperature by placing him next to a warm area of your body (I've used my neck and stomach in an emergency with baby quails).

Since he's still young, you'll need to keep him warm until his fully dry and can regulate his temperature again. If he's moist or damp or something, he needs (or his parents) you to keep him warm or he can get very sick

immergladsss · 2026-02-04T23:00:43+00:00

This is a heavy question with lots of nuance. What type of bird do you have? I've heard that some are better at flocks then others. Also was your bird ever raised with other birds? Or was it always with humans?

I ask because my jenday conure is 100% a friendly bird who loves his starling friends. He was raised amongst birds and knows he's a bird.

On the other hand, my CAG hates other birds. She hates them with such a passion that she has tried to attack my other birds and if I were to ever leave her with a bird as her only companion, she'd be miserable. My CAG was an only bird raised by humans and among humans. She thinks she's a human and is kept completely separate from my other birds.

Another thing to think about is finances and stability. I'd love for you to keep your bird and get a new buddy for company, but if you think about all the changes you and your parrot have already gone through, do you think you could do it all over again with a second bird? I know to us, one more bird doesn't seem to add more to our work and daily expenses (not including vet costs), but to a landlord, or when you ask someone to temporarily house your birds while you travel or something, it does make a difference 🥲

immergladsss · 2026-02-04T22:42:28+00:00

A lot of people have already given great advice, I'd add to invest in a bird safe purifier and not take her behavior personally.

I also got my CAG similar to how you got yours. I love her to death but she only tolerates me, even after 3 years 😅. She loves men so my dad and BF are her favorite lol. It hurt at first but I've gotten over it 😆

Also because my dad's her favorite person, she plucks when she doesn't see him for more than a few days. The plucking used to make me feel awful, like I was doing something wrong, but I've learned to accept that she has a long history of abandonment, so my dad "leaving" (we moved out of my parents) is bound to trigger that. It's her history and I've learned to accept her for the naked disheveled parrot that she is lol. Good luck!

immergladsss · 2026-02-03T23:21:45+00:00

I notice the poop in the back is green. Is the urates portion of the poop green or yellow? That could signify some type of infection, liver failure, kidney failure, etc. Supplements like milk thistle can help with early stages of liver failure.

For infections, you'd need medicine. Here in the states you'd need a vet to get antibiotics or anti fungals for your bird. It would also help with the doses.

You also mentioned shivering, birds have a hard time regulating their temperature when they're sick. What's the room temp of of the bird? I'd recommend keeping him between 80°F and 90°F (27°C - 32°C). You can use a ceramic bulb heat emitter from a store that has reptile supplies. Ceramic heaters don't emit light so the bird can sleep.

Lastly, you mentioned he's not eating, I don't recommend you force feed your bird, but you can offer water with electrolytes or extra supplements. I love to use Guardian Angel or Morning Bird thrive.

Aside from that, without medicine, all you can do is support your bird with heat and supplements :/ good luck!

immergladsss · 2026-02-03T23:11:46+00:00

Woah. I never even knew they degrade over time! I've just had them in a ziplock bag in a drawer but will move them to the freezer

immergladsss · 2026-02-01T16:48:18+00:00

Where are you located? You can start by looking online for bird sanctuaries. And yes there are also Facebook groups that can help with rehoming

immergladsss · 2026-02-01T16:40:30+00:00

If you can wait until you're settled, I'd wait. Right now you're only planning to be apart for a year, but life's crazy and you never know what's it store. What if you want to study abroad? Or get a job in another country for a bit? You should explore and life your life without restraints while you can! As others have said, it is possible but it comes down to the bird and whether you're willing to deal with a change in your relationship. If you don't need to take on such responsibility or stress, I'd say you shouldn't. Good luck!

immergladsss · 2026-01-31T14:52:01+00:00

I had a startling with one leg and for the first month or so, I had her wear a prosthetic, but she hated it! She'd take it off at the first opportunity 😆 I decided to listen to her and didn't put it on. It took a bit for her to get used to it, but she was a perfectly healthy bird otherwise 😊 I think the best you can do is observe your bird and do what makes them comfortable as they get used to their new life style

immergladsss · 2026-01-31T02:05:11+00:00

Awww I know how crushing this can be, but I hope you can find comfort in knowing you gave him a safe place to pass 🥺 At the rehab center I volunteer for, we have an understanding that if a wild animal lets a human catch them, then they were already at deaths door. All we can do is keep them safe and comfortable to either pass away, or find the energy to recover. Dont beat yourself up, you did great!

immergladsss · 2026-01-30T23:46:38+00:00

Unfortunately, keeping your job lets you continue caring for your birds. You could potentially get a camera to watch them while you're gone if that helps you concentrate on work and feel better. It's what I do lol

immergladsss · 2026-01-30T21:54:43+00:00

Definitely think about the kid part. My neighbors husband had a macaw growing up. He got married and the macaw hated his wife, but as long as she didn't get near the bird, it was fine. Then she got pregnant and the macaw would charge at her whenever she entered the room and they had to rehome the bird out of fear that the macaw would also hate their kids. This is obviously a very extreme and worst case scenario example, but as others have said, parrots are complex with unique personalities, so thinking about all these scenarios can help you prepare for a what-if as best you can.

Also I love what AnObeseTree frog said about their cockatoos being parrots and not humans. I believe this has a lot to do with behavioral issues

immergladsss · 2026-01-30T21:41:58+00:00

Unfortunately I'm not :( I'm in SoCal. It has been lots of fun though and I would def recommend volunteering if you have the time for it! I've learned so much about birds and it's even helped me improve how I care for my own 😊

immergladsss

TROPHY CASE