Conure Feathers

[Zazu12304]

I made a post not too long ago about how my Green Cheek Conure wouldn't trust me. We're starting to get our bong back together. He eats fruits and vegetables from my hand and doesn't seem to mind when I stick my hand at the bottom of the cage (so he can get used to my hands). I still read to him and he highly enjoys it. Music is also one of his favorite things so I play that for him everyday. He still won't step up and he still scared of my hands if they go near him. I'm keeping a consistent routine of some of the things everyone suggested.
In the last post, people kept asking how old he was and what the gender was. We don't know any of that information. We don't know his background story at all. We did ask the owner If he knew how old it was, he said about 2 years old. As for the gender, we don't know that either.They didn't know what the gender was so we're just assuming it's a boy. I want to go get him to the vet sometime soon so then I can find out it's gender.
Now that that's out of the way, let me talk about the main issue here. Zazu (my Green Cheek Conure) has an issue with his tail feathers. They're really messy. I don't know if it's because he's dragged it along the cage (Its a big cage) or possibly plucking them. It doesn't look like they've been plucked but it could still be a possibility. I just noticed it this morning. I didn't see this issue at all when I put him to bed last night.
Zazu has fallen in his cage before a few times but that's because he gets over excited anytime I walk into the room or he's playing. I don't know if it's because he or she possibly fell last night while I was sleeping. I definitely would have woken up if Zazu had fallen so that likely isn't the reason.
When I looked it up, people were suggesting that it might be because of the birds diet. His diet is perfectly normal. I give him pellets, fruits, vegetables, and rarely seeds throughout the day (he likes it when I feed him carrots). He's not overeating or under eating at all.
I don't know how serious this is. Do I need to go see a vet for this or is it normal? I've seen other posts on this form about this issue but it's usually because their cage is too small and they're dragging it along the cage. I don't see any reason for that to be happening with Zazu because he has a a cage.
Please reply if you truly know what's going on and if I should go see a vet for this. ☹️

 

[Jen5200]

It is always a good idea to get in to see an avian vet when you get a new bird to get a check up, establish a baseline of health with the vet so that you know when something changes. I take my crew once a year, or earlier if something comes up that concerns me. Feather damage can happen when they play too hard, when they have habits of hanging on the side of the cage, possibly barbering or over preening. If there was plucking, you’d normally find feathers at the bottom of the cage rather than just “messy looking” feathers.

I can’t remember how long you’ve had Zazu? Did he have messy feathers when you got him, or is this something new that has come up? It can take a long time to replace all of the old feathers if it was existing damage. If it’s something new that has just started, I would definitely recommend a visit to the vet. If you are planning to make a trip to get DNA done, I would just go sooner to get the check up and make this part of what you ask the vet about.

 

[RemiBird]

I took Remi to the vet for a wellness exam and to ask about same thing you are asking now. Remi, for as long as we have had him, has kept his tail very messy. He actually chews on the tips and makes a little shaft out of the feather, and then he uses the feather to scratch his head.
The vet determined he is just fine and in good health. His preening gland was a little dry so she recommended red palm oil. Other than that, she thinks it's learned behavior (he comes from very stressful past). So, that's that.
So far, no improvement with his tail. It looks very ugly, but he just won't leave it alone. Otherwise, he is fine and healthy.