Zazu won't preen

Zazusmom4411 · Jan 27, 2017

Hello,

This might be stupid, I'm not sure, but I am slightly concerned. My new sun conure Zazu won't preen himself. He won't bathe either. And now his feathers are all disheveled and look terrible. Is this normal? Could it be because he is still settling in? Otherwise, he eats and drinks and acts totally normal.

GaleriaGila · Jan 27, 2017

I don't have much of an answer, but I join you in being concerned, so I thought I'd give your thread a boost.
Maybe you could give a quick revew of how old your bird is... anything else that might be relevant... diet... anything?

texsize · Jan 27, 2017

My AG Bella does not seem to know how to preen her back feathers and I have never seen her zipping them up (making the edges smooth and hooked together).
My guess and it is only a GUESS is that she was hand feed and raised by humans. She had no bird mom or dad to teach her how to properly groom herself.
texsize

Sunnyclover · Jan 27, 2017

Spray her with a bottle and she'll be forced to do something, I think. I see the ends of white feathers there on the back of his head and can see why your concerned. I too have been wondering the cause of those (what seems like tips of feathers) in the head and neck area and would appreciate some information on that as well.

Flboy · Jan 28, 2017

Hi, those 'white' feathers are pin feathers, that is how they first grow in until the casings break off. FYI, very uncomfortable like this! Do some searches on 'pin+feathers' leave off the '
You can learn to help, if your buddy allows.
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/48069-head-full-pin-feathers.html

A bath would do him wonders for comfort level! If you mist him, let it fall like rain, or you will spook him at first! Also try a large shallow container (litter pan?), put a small amount of water in it an see if you can get him to play with his toys? Let him hang with you when you shower, they are smart buggers! He will catch on!

Third edit.. Zazu is quit the handsome little man!

Zazusmom4411 · Jan 29, 2017

Thank you everyone,

So I have a little update! After I got home the other day we were hanging out and he started doing a little preening! I don't know what triggered it, but I'm not complaining! I got him a bathtub, but he won't go near it. I'm going to go out and get a spray bottle to mist him today.

And as for information about him:

He is about 8 months old. His food is roudybush pellets and he gets fresh fruits/veggies for treats. And occasionally I give him nuts. He's not very big on seeds though. He's been getting very comfortable with me the last few days (he started stepping up on my finger to come out of the cage, which we were having issues with). He won't play with his toys though and instead of using his perches, he hangs on the side of the cage.

Sunnyclover · Jan 29, 2017

Yay! I'm glad to hear it. Get pretty Zazu.

SassiBird · Jan 30, 2017

Some birds prefer jumping in the water, some prefer showering. Some like it cold, some warm. You'll just have to keep trying.
Keep offering the tub as long as he isn't fearful of it. He will eventually get curious.

Sassi uses a wide, shallow dish. She is generally not very bold and runs under my chin for safety. I got her to use the bath by holding the dish up to my chest. We both got soaked! I also find that the sound of dribbling water puts her in the mood for a bath.

itzjbean · Jan 30, 2017

I agree with the bath suggestion! If anything he'll be forced to shake off the water at least. Trickling water helps, my Jenday used to like bathing in the sink with trickling water, but my cockatiel loves the spray bottle. He'll fluff himself all up and sprad out his wings so I can get the water all over him

janquito · Jan 31, 2017

The way I got mine to bathe is splashing, gentle, twinkling with my fingers to almost mimic a bird bathing. I put lukewarm water in the bathtub. My sun conure had never had a bath by the time I got him-he was about the age of yours-and he looked awful! Be careful if you go the spray bottle route; you may end up scaring him away.
Best of luck!

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Zazu won't preen

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