Even in his final years, Cookie still had the beautiful plumage characteristic of his species, with pink feathers on the head and neck, white on the body and a red-and-white crest atop his head. But he had been off display and living in the keepers' offices backstage in the Bird and Reptile House since 2009, after he began showing signs of stress while in a public area, said Tim Snyder, curator of birds. A sign went up informing the public that Cookie was still there, but essentially in retirement.