Black Cockatoos | Avian vet by Dr Tim Oldfield - Avian vet

Species in this genus:

 Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (C. banksii)

 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (C. funereus)

 White-tailed Black Cockatoos (C. baudinii and C. latirostris)

 Glossy Black Cockatoo (C. lathami)

Diet in the wild is high fat !!!

Nuts and eucalypts Cones , banksias, hakeas and  casuarinas are commonly eaten.

Pet diets are often based on sunflower seed and various nuts.

Yes - Black Cockatoos do seem to need, or to be able to tolerate, higher quantities of dietary fat than most cockatoos.There will still be nutritional deficiencies with out a  variety of food types. Most types of fresh vegetables are readily accepted if introduced to birds at a young age. Many successful breeders, and astute pet owners  make an effort to provide a regular supply of the species natural diet. Parrot pellets  seem to be quite suitable as a basic food in combination with fresh foods and seeds. 

Paediatrics

Black Cockatoos are frequently removed from the parents prior to hatch, or soon after, and hand-raised as a means of increasing productivity because they lay only one or two eggs per clutch (depending on species). In my experience the most common reason for clients to seek veterinary attention with Black Cockatoos is problems with juvenile birds.

Vomiting

Hand-raised Black cockatoos are notorious for problems with slow crop emptying and regurgitation, often later in the raising process. Underlying causes are various and often multifactorial:

 'Poor gut health'. If you compare the oily, astringent and fibrous nature of the food these chicks receive in the wild (chewed up and regurgitated eucalyptus nuts) with bland grain based hand-rearing formulas, it is clear that we are creating a very different environment in the gut of these young birds. Some hand-raisers have had success using 'teas' made from soaking casuarina, ginger, fennel and other similarly astringent plants to make up the hand-raising formula

 Infections with yeast (Candida) and bacteria (usually gram-negative). These are usually opportunistic and secondary to factors such as 'poor gut health', poor hygiene, and incorrect husbandry. Nystatin for Candida and enrofloxacin for bacteria are common treatments

 Over-feeding. Pendulous crops stretched by excessive feed volumes empty slowly and are prone to going 'sour' (Candida infections). Small feed volumes and temporary supportive 'bras' are helpful while treating any infection.

 Formula that is too watery. Unproven, but excess fluids causing excessive urine production may lead to renal damage. A recognized cause of vomiting in young Black Cockatoos is renal failure. Treatment is rarely successful. Kaytee® brand hand-raising formula causes fluid to be retained in the bowel rather than being passed as large quantities of urine. Digestion is slower but growth rates are still good.

Limb Fractures

The high fat intake that is inevitable with a predominantly sunflower seed diet has an impact on a bird's ability to absorb calcium (as well as fat soluble vitamins). While adults are not commonly affected, calcium deficiency in parent-raised nestlings is frequent. The resultant nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism may present in a couple of ways. Calcium deficient bones bend under the weight of the developing chick. This usually affects humerus, radius/ulna, femur and tibiotarsus. Radiography may be needed to identify these malformations even though they can be severe enough to cause flight and perching difficulties once birds leave the nest. Severe deficiency can lead to folding fractures (often in multiple bones before the aviculturalist notices). Early identification of these signs can allow the bones to be supported or reshaped with external splints or with external fixation pinning. With dietary correction (balanced hand rearing formulas) they can grow into more normal shapes. However these chicks can be difficult to work with as their calcium deficiency also causes muscle weakness including heart muscle problems and they can be risky to anaesthetise. Short term stabilisation with balanced diets prior to surgery is ideal. Another presentation of calcium deficiency occurs at fledging. The physical stresses that occur during the first attempted flights will result in fractures of leg and/or wing bones and these birds are found on the floor of the aviary unable to walk or fly. Pinning or splinting can also be used to try and correct this damage but the same risks with handling and anaesthesia apply.

Diarrhoea/Failure to Thrive

These are usually birds that become ill within a few months of weaning and with a history of having been purchased from a pet store. On examination they are moderately thin, weak, hungry and vocalising excessively. Faeces are poorly formed and are often light green. Specific testing for Chlamydophila should be performed (marked leucocytosis is supportive). If confirmed, treatment is with doxycycline for 45 days and owners must be informed about the zoonotic potential of this disease. Note that Black Cockatoos rarely exhibit the respiratory/ocular signs of Chlamydophilosis more common in smaller parrot species.

Adults

Adult Calyptorynchus spp. in captivity are considered to be a relatively hardy and disease free group. They are rarely diagnosed with disorders such as internal parasites, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease and obesity that frequently affect other species of parrot.

Mate Aggression

Male birds can be aggressive to their partners. Usually this occurs because the male bird is ready for breeding but the female is not receptive. Some common causes for the female not accepting the male include:

 Too young to breed

 Illness

 Nest log/box not suitable

 Overly dominant male

 Hand-raised and imprinted on humans

In the wild the female would be easily able to escape the attentions of the male, but is prevented from doing so in a captive environment. Injuries are usually bites around the head and wings and are often severe, including broken beaks and fatalities. Best success is achieved with a well matched pair of birds in their own aviary, with plenty of flight/escape space and appropriate nesting logs or boxes so that females feel comfortable about initiating breeding. Clipping several flight feathers from the male can allow the female to get away more easily, but does not interfere with successful mating if she becomes receptive.

Wild Bird Injuries

It is not just captive Black Cockatoos that end up at vet clinics. Wild birds may be a frequent presentation, either from members of the public or via wildlife rehabilitators. Bone fractures following motor vehicle impacts or malicious shooting are the most common injuries. Successful return to the wild should be the only goal of treatment. If initial assessment suggests this is not possible then I believe euthanasia is the most appropriate treatment. A whole bird examination must be performed to identify all injuries and any signs of pre-existing illness that may have predisposed the bird to its injuries. Bone repair techniques vary depending on the affected bone but typically require external or hybrid fixation to prevent joint morbidity.

Pets

Still not particularly common as pet birds in the general market, many aviculturalists will testify to the lovely gentle and affectionate nature of these birds, even when paired up in breeding aviaries. As hand-raised household pet birds they can also make high quality companion birds, if certain needs are appreciated. As mentioned for adult aviary birds, pet Black Cockatoos are typically hardy and disease free. The most common reason I see pet Black Cockatoos in practice is for wing clips. Hand-raised Black Cockatoos are usually confident, outgoing pets, although like most parrots they can become strongly bonded to one or two people. Also like most parrots these are very social animals whose behavioural and psychological needs will not be met if they are expected to spend large parts of the day in solitude. They are obviously relatively large and potentially destructive birds that need safe secure housing and fairly close supervision if free ranging in the house.

Excessive Vocalising

Young Black cockatoos are often vocal animals with a loud grating 'growl' used to attract attention. When this becomes excessive or constant their owners can become frustrated and may present them to a vet. There are two common underlying causes that need to be considered.

1.  Illness. Any form of chronic disease in birds will result in increased energy expenditure, and particularly in young birds, increased appetite. Young birds that have been self feeding competently for a good period of time may suddenly recommence the food soliciting behavior displayed by chicks. This typically includes prolonged vocalization. On examination these birds will usually be underweight, weak and lethargic. These birds should have a thorough clinical exam to identify an underlying disease process.

2.  Loneliness. Birds sold for the pet market are typically hand-reared from an early age. Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are the most common species kept as pet birds and this species lays only one egg at a time. It is therefore common for these birds to be reared in isolation. New owners may be delighted with their new pet but in busy modern lives it is rare for people to have the opportunity to be at home all day with their pets. Human interaction often decreases as the novelty value of the new acquisition decreases. This contrasts markedly with the situation in the wild where the hen is almost continuously with the chick until fledging and then the chick remains with the parents for upwards of twelve months, and the flock for the rest of its life. Without the reassurance of nearly continuous visual and tactile contact these birds become stressed, anxious and demanding. A young hand-raised bird's natural reaction to human induced isolation is to call for attention. This is usually rewarded (either positively or negatively) because the noise is so irritating. This establishes a vicious cycle of attention seeking vocalisation. Changing this type of behaviour is challenging. Negative reinforcement is rarely effective. Positive reinforcement at times when the bird is quiet is theoretically effective but usually difficult to apply.

Some suggestions to reduce this behaviour include:

 Develop a consistent routine of interaction that the bird can anticipate and look forward to

 Be imaginative with food choices and how they are provided

 Supply toys

 Consider a companion bird or birds

 Accustom the bird to indoor and outdoor caging as well as supervised free range

This is a situation where prevention is better than cure. Black Cockatoos are only suitable for owners able to spend lots of time with their birds and who can be creative in providing entertainment and enrichment at those times when they are not present.

By Tim Oldfield - Avian Vet