A cockatoo in need

[luvmybirds144]

Today I visited a privately owned pet store and discovered a cockatoo tucked away from all the action. She's plucked out most of her feathers and only had tail, wing, and head feathers. I asked the pet shop owner why she thought the cockatoo was plucking herself and the owner said the cockatoo has been upset and needs attention and a loving home. Her name is Hailey and I think the lady said she is 17 years old. Usually I can "forget" about situations like this because they hurt me because I know I can't do anything, but the thing is I can't get Hailey out of my head! I really think I should help this poor girl.
She costs $1200 with her cage. Is this high/low? I've not had dealings with bigger birds.
Here's why I may not be able to help her.
1. My dad does not like animals (although he has let me have a cockatiel and budgie)
2. Money is BIG in our house. My dad does not get paid much and we are below the poverty level (although working on moving up) so if I said I wanted to spend $1200 on a bird my parents would have a fit. It would be my money, btw, not my parents. But still. They wouldn't like it.
3. There is not much space in my room that I share with my little sister and my two birds

I know she really needs me and I don't know what to do.
Please, ANY advice/suggestions/encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

[Berserka]

I would probably report the store to an appropriate authority as the bird should not be there if she is so upset. It could also be health related as plucking/feather loss can also be a symptom of disease.
I know the situation with regards to below poverty line. It would be a big insult to your family if you spent that amount of money on a bird - especially if it could be put to better use.
Cockatoo's are extremely noisy! I think your parents - even if they forgave the expense - would demand you rehome the bird within a week.
I'm guessing you are in the US? I don't know what prices are like for birds there but a Sulpher Crested Cockatoo in Australia sells from as little as $50 up to $500. $1200 sounds very expensive.
Cockies also can live to over 100 years. Have you thought about keeping her for the next 80 years? or who would care for her once you were no longer able to?

I don't mean to sound negative, however a cocky is a huge commitment.

[telmadee]

I think Karen has covered it all there, but just wanted to say, you sound like a lovely caring person fro wnating to help this Cockatoo, good luck with everything xxx

[Blaine]

I personally wouldn't spent that much on a bird that has a problem. Even if it is plucking out it's feathers. You'll eventually get over it. I bet 1 month from now you won't be thinking about the bird at all.

[Berserka]

Unfortunately Blaine true aviculturalists do not 'get over it'. We think about the poor souls all the time and even lose sleep over them.
There are so many birds with problems that the rescue places are best to deal with these as they have the ability to dedicate alot of time to helping the birds to resolve their problems.

[alexandra]

aww poor thing hope she gets the help she deserves soon.

[Blaine]

I personally wouldn't spend that much money on a bird though, even if it was healthy. Plus, aren't cockatoo's really loud?

[Berserka]

They can be extremely loud - not a great idea for suburbia, the neighbours would hate you.
They don't bother me though as where I live there is a flock of at least 50 cockatoo's, 300 corella's and numerous galah's (100's) all in their family groups. Get all the flocks in the park opposite me and flying overhead and you can't hear the telly!

[Blaine]

Lol, I didn't know people still called a T.V. a telly. Maybe that's what they call it in Australia. Here, we just say t.v.

I love cockatoo's colors and much more, it's just they're so loud even I wouldn't be able to deal with the noise. I'm the type of person that can get acclimated to night time sounds easily, but something that loud would take a long time to get used to.