Pineapple conure's colors not as bright after molt...

lexx510 · Jul 19, 2011

Our pineapple green cheek has been molting for the past few months. Typically, his tummy and chest are red. However, the newer feathers do not seem to be as bright and look a bit washed out in color. Should I be concerned or does it take some time for them to brighten up?

His diet consists of Zupreem's Garden Goodness pellets, and fresh fruits and veggies (mostly broccoli, strawberries, bananas, and mangoes).

stephend · Jul 19, 2011

You should probably talk to a vet. If it is a first molt it may be that it is because it is switching from female coloring to male, but I don't know if that is true of conures.

lexx510 · Jul 19, 2011

Thanks for your response, stephend. I believe green cheeks are sexually monomorphic species, so this would rule out a female-to-male color switch.

I should also note that difference in his coloration is not extreme. His tummy is still very red, but the chest is slightly lighter than it used to be.

woubette · Oct 31, 2011

my pineapple had ALOT of red at 3 months old but now at 1 1/2 I think half the red was lost by his last molt....kinda disappointed by that

lexx510 · Oct 31, 2011

woubette said:
my pineapple had ALOT of red at 3 months old but now at 1 1/2 I think half the red was lost by his last molt....kinda disappointed by that

That's exactly what happened to our girl. We got her at about 3 months of age, and most of the red from her chest has since gone. She's about a year-old now. However, she does have more yellow now - which also looks great.

Before and After:

Mamanda · Nov 1, 2011

I don't know a thing about molting or color changes, but you've got one beautiful birdie!

Rio Mom · Nov 1, 2011

River seems to have done a bit of the opposite. I'm pretty sure he has a little more yellow low on his belly than before he molted. He's a normal gcc, and I don't recall the bit of yellow where it is now. Of course, it's also possible I'm just losing my mind! lol

goalerjones · Nov 1, 2011

does he get sunlight time each day? My Jendays colors got much brighter with regular sun exposure. Sometimes it can also be diet-related my vet said.

lexx510 · Nov 1, 2011

goalerjones said:
does he get sunlight time each day? My Jendays colors got much brighter with regular sun exposure. Sometimes it can also be diet-related my vet said.

We don't take her outside, but her cage is right next to a big window.

As far as diet, her stable is Roudybush. We give her broccoli, bananas, etc., as treats. She was previously on Zupreem pellets, but we decided to switch to something more natural due to the dye/food coloring.

Rio Mom · Nov 1, 2011

goalerjones said:
does he get sunlight time each day? My Jendays colors got much brighter with regular sun exposure. Sometimes it can also be diet-related my vet said.

In addition to a good diet, River does have a full spectrum light that's on a timer for some time each day. I think it's really doing him good. Of course the internal health benefit you can't "see". He has definately gotten brighter coloring, (his green is brighter already) in addition to the more yellow that may/may not be all in my head lol.

Pineapple conure's colors not as bright after molt...

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