Galah has bald patch under wing??

Loubie · Apr 12, 2016

Today Whirly the galah decided to get drenched in the rain. So I Brought her inside to dry off. She was rubbing her head under her wing, and I could see a big bald patch, on her back, under her wing. Is this normal?? I didn't get to see if she had the same thing on her back under the other wing. I was wondering if it was itchy, and that is why she was rubbing it? Or maybe it is normal and she was just grooming herself???
It's just weird I haven't noticed it before. But then again, she was very wet and bedraggled. Usually she would be dry and fluffy!

plumsmum2005 · Apr 12, 2016

No being bald under her wing wouldn't be normal. Try and look again when she's dry is best and then decide if it's something to watch or something the AV needs to see IMO.

Loubie · Apr 12, 2016

Thanks Plumsmum. I think I'll make a vet appointment tomorrow..

plumsmum2005 · Apr 12, 2016

You know me always happy to help

Just a thought any connection with your new fella? Timescales etc?

Piasa · Apr 12, 2016

Worth testing for Giardia as this is an area they will pluck. I also hear that is an area they pluck if they are stimulated too much (sexually).

Scott · Apr 12, 2016

Some parrots have sparse or bald spots that seem to be "normal" for them. An avian vet can examine and help determine whether anything is awry.

plumsmum2005 · Apr 12, 2016

Scott said:
Some parrots have sparse or bald spots that seem to be "normal" for them. An avian vet can examine and help determine whether anything is awry.

FYI not any RB2 I have come across.

Scott · Apr 12, 2016

plumsmum2005 said:
Scott said:

Some parrots have sparse or bald spots that seem to be "normal" for them. An avian vet can examine and help determine whether anything is awry.

Click to expand...

FYI not any RB2 I have come across.

Perhaps not RB2, but healthy Goffins and Citrons can have them. Size is also a consideration, not sure how large the spot is with the OP bird.

plumsmum2005 · Apr 12, 2016

Scott said:
plumsmum2005 said:

Scott said:

Some parrots have sparse or bald spots that seem to be "normal" for them. An avian vet can examine and help determine whether anything is awry.

Click to expand...

FYI not any RB2 I have come across.

Click to expand...

Perhaps not RB2, but healthy Goffins and Citrons can have them.

Sorry but Loubie asking about her RB2 Whirly

Loubie · Apr 13, 2016

Off to the vet this arvo. I hope she doesn't have Giardia!

plumsmum2005 · Apr 13, 2016

Hi Loubie yes everything crossed for whirly.

Info to read up before you go https://www.beautyofbirds.com/giardia.html

The symptoms list will help I feel prior to seeing the AV and being specific to any questions you may/may not be asked.

Best of luck

Allee · Apr 13, 2016

Scott said:
plumsmum2005 said:

Scott said:

Some parrots have sparse or bald spots that seem to be "normal" for them. An avian vet can examine and help determine whether anything is awry.

Click to expand...

FYI not any RB2 I have come across.

Click to expand...

Perhaps not RB2, but healthy Goffins and Citrons can have them. Size is also a consideration, not sure how large the spot is with the OP bird.

Like Scott said, some Toos do have bald spots on their bodies where feathers never grow. Poppy is a U2 not a Galah, she has an area that she's never plucked but it's completely bare of feathers, I'm pretty sure it's been there since the day she hatched. Her vet has examined the spot and said, "normal for her". I have seen Galahs with similar bare spots, all parrots look more bare when the feathers are wet.

I agree, a close exam by an Av Vet would probably be reassuring.

plumsmum2005 · Apr 13, 2016

Yes but if you look at my earlier post that was covered.

GracelynNBirds · Apr 13, 2016

Loubie said:
Off to the vet this arvo. I hope she doesn't have Giardia!

I will be praying for you, good luck on the vet visit!

Loubie · Apr 17, 2016

Thanks all!
Yes - thankfully vet said it is normal. Whoops! It was just that her feathers were so wet the bald patch was exposed. When i was at the vet and her feathers were all dry, you couldn't even see the bald spot, and I thought i was going crazy! Then the vet gently blew on her feathers, and we could just see the bald spot underneath, apparently where she makes her powder down.
I felt a bit silly!

plumsmum2005 · Apr 18, 2016

Loubie said:
Thanks all!
Yes - thankfully vet said it is normal. Whoops! It was just that her feathers were so wet the bald patch was exposed. When i was at the vet and her feathers were all dry, you couldn't even see the bald spot, and I thought i was going crazy! Then the vet gently blew on her feathers, and we could just see the bald spot underneath, apparently where she makes her powder down.
I felt a bit silly!

No harm done Loubie, better safe than sorry and you gained a little knowledge along the way. Pleased all OK.

Scott · Apr 18, 2016

Loubie said:
Thanks all!
Yes - thankfully vet said it is normal. Whoops! It was just that her feathers were so wet the bald patch was exposed. When i was at the vet and her feathers were all dry, you couldn't even see the bald spot, and I thought i was going crazy! Then the vet gently blew on her feathers, and we could just see the bald spot underneath, apparently where she makes her powder down.
I felt a bit silly!

What a relief, and please don't feel silly. Parrots are not produced on an assembly line; there is such variation in normalcy even among families. All three of my Goffins from the same parents exhibit subtle differences.

Galah has bald patch under wing??

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Great day with the two toos

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