This is Kali, a 4-yr old goffins cockatoo. He came to us in February, of 2011. I had never before seen a 'mutilator'.  He would literally rip the skin from his little leg.  He had very few feathers and no 'spirit' whatsoever.  He had pretty much given up. We weren't sure he would even live.  It was so hard to look at Kali and not cry. People would see him and say, "what is it? is that a bird???" For whatever reason, he instantly formed a bond with Precious, our cat.  After several trips to see our avian vet, and many discussions and much research, we, and Dr. Boxberger, decided to try Kali on Prozac for a few months to "break the cycle" of the state he was in.  He was given several rounds of antibiotics and pain medicine as well.  Collars were tried to keep him from mutilating, but just seemed to stress him out even more. I eventually made Kali a little 'sock sweater' that I changed daily and he began chewing on the sock instead of himself.

The poor little guy had his days and nights mixed up. He would sleep all day and squawk off and on all night.  I was constantly checking on him during the night....neither of us slept much.  I would just sit and love on him, as he loved and still loves having his head scratched and rubbed under his wings. After several months of treatment, several packages of socks, lots and lots of love and many toys later, Kali has almost fully recovered! He now has his feathers ALL back!  He merely preens them now and does this so proudly!  His leg is completely healed, although his skin is scarred under the feathers, and he sleeps all night and has his days figured out.  He now SINGS up a storm, loves to dance and bob up and down saying "Hi Kali, Kali" and "I love Kali, Kali!"  He has a little music box that he plays by himself and dances to! Kali loves to go places with us. He is the sweetest most loving bird ever! As I write this, I can't help but to cry, thinking of what this "little trooper' has been through.  God has blessed us with these "problem" birds and they are our pride and joy.  This story is the main reason that we do not adopt out....we could NEVER take the chance that this little guy would end up in the same situation again down the road....

                                         And THIS is Kali now!