Why is she snipping feathers?

Kiwibon · Mar 16, 2017

I usually come here for help and you always do, so thank you very much for the help so far <3!!

So my Lilly sits and snips the end off of some of her feathers, in only 2 patches. On her right wing, and a little on her left neck feathers.... at the moment her down feathers are showing in those patches. She doesn't pull those out.

The funny thing is, she only does it when she's at my desk with me or when shes in front of her mirror. I'm quite sure that she isn't bored... It's a shame because she has such lovely glossy feathers.

So I'm looking for someone who may know what this is about? Thank you!

Off topic but she likes to lick her mirror and watch herself eat pellets.

Kiwibon · Mar 16, 2017

Just that little gray patch there...

SilverSage · Mar 16, 2017

Has she been checked by a vet yet? That's the first step when a bird STARTS destroying feathers.

I actually recently had an experience with this. My lovely Ringneck Nohea began to pluck. I was stunned. Not only have none of my birds ever started plucking before, but I have rehabilitated several pluckers over the last few years.

We went straight to the vet. Sure enough, bacterial infection. Antibiotics for 10 days, and everything is fine now; no more plucking. There are several medical reasons a happy, well adjusted, well occupied bird can start destroying feathers and they can range from just uncomfortable to life threatening. Please get your bird to a qualified (preferably certified) avian vet asap for grams stains and a parasite screening at the very least.

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Kiwibon · Mar 16, 2017

SilverSage said:
Has she been checked by a vet yet? That's the first step when a bird STARTS destroying feathers.

I actually recently had an experience with this. My lovely Ringneck Nohea began to pluck. I was stunned. Not only have none of my birds ever started plucking before, but I have rehabilitated several pluckers over the last few years.

We went straight to the vet. Sure enough, bacterial infection. Antibiotics for 10 days, and everything is fine now; no more plucking. There are several medical reasons a happy, well adjusted, well occupied bird can start destroying feathers and they can range from just uncomfortable to life threatening. Please get your bird to a qualified (preferably certified) avian vet asap for grams stains and a parasite screening at the very least.

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Thanks for the reply! Do you think the feathers will grow back out? Even if they're snipped and not plucked?

She's insured, although I have no avian vet anywhere near me, but there are several good vets. Would that be ok?

She's also afraid of hands still. When I got her a couple of months ago she wouldn't go anywhere near me but now she will sit on my arm and take food, but I cant handle her yet. I don't know what she'll be like at the vets if I can't pick her up... Do you have any suggestions?

SilverSage · Mar 16, 2017

1) her feathers will grow in when she molts them
Naturally.

2) where do you live?

3) I have taken even the most wild birds to the vet; a good vet won't have a problem

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Kiwibon · Mar 17, 2017

SilverSage said:
1) her feathers will grow in when she molts them
Naturally.

2) where do you live?

3) I have taken even the most wild birds to the vet; a good vet won't have a problem

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Thanks again! I live in England, Southampton. I actually might think it could be the pellets she's eating... she eats coloured ones and perhaps she's getting too much sugar? Do birds destruct feathers this way?

SailBoat · Mar 17, 2017

What you are defining is commonly referred to as Barbering and it is a form of feather destruction, as is Plucking. As stated above, they will grow back as part of normal molting.

The root cause of any feather destruction is rarely clear and requires a step by step process of determining what is causing it. The first step is always to check for medical cause(s).

Certified Avian Vet, Avian Qualified Vet, Avian Interest Vet, Large Animal (Farm) Vet that also care for Farm Birds. NOTE that Dog and Cat specialists have no real interest in treating Avian clients, and will only do so if pushed. Much of it comes down too issues of handling Avian Clients and the risks of causing more harm if not done correctly. Start with the most qualified and work down the list. Ask fellow Avian owners around you. Use the internet to quickly find Vets that work with Avian clients.

Kiwibon · Mar 17, 2017

SailBoat said:
What you are defining is commonly referred to as Barbering and it is a form of feather destruction, as is Plucking. As stated above, they will grow back as part of normal molting.

The root cause of any feather destruction is rarely clear and requires a step by step process of determining what is causing it. The first step is always to check for medical cause(s).

Certified Avian Vet, Avian Qualified Vet, Avian Interest Vet, Large Animal (Farm) Vet that also care for Farm Birds. NOTE that Dog and Cat specialists have no real interest in treating Avian clients, and will only do so if pushed. Much of it comes down too issues of handling Avian Clients and the risks of causing more harm if not done correctly. Start with the most qualified and work down the list. Ask fellow Avian owners around you. Use the internet to quickly find Vets that work with Avian clients.

Thanks for that! I'm glad to know the name of it now! I'll be taking her to the vet for a check up as soon as I can.

If it's nothing to do with medical, I've also started reading up on diet plans that might cause this issue too. Hopefully I can sort something out. <3 Thanks again!

Why is she snipping feathers?

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