Plucking

So my worst nightmare has come true.
I came home for my lunch break today to find a bald spot on Yoshi's neck and feathers that have clearly been ripped and chewed all over the cage floor. I think it actually started a few days ago, but he quite often has a random feather poking out of his neck after preening that gives him a messy look and i assumed thats all it was but its now very clear i was wrong. I am completely gutted and feel i've failed him somehow.
I'm going to give his cage a huge overhaul this arvo and add a few extra foraging toys and things to help distract this behaviour.
I also saw him regurgitating the other night for the first time (he's 2 in august, was told he's a red sided so i thought it was a bit early for this?) on his foot (he has some weird love for his feet, often holding one up and talking to and giving kisses to it.) for a few minutes but i havent noticed him doing this since.
My housemate, who is the only person he dislikes (he's terrified of her for a still unknown reason that started about 6 months ago), has been around a little more the past few days, she's usually only home to sleep and rarely goes near the birds as they dont interest her. Though he actually flew to her shoulder a couple nights ago when she was getting dinner (doesnt seem to matter who has food, he's instantly their best friend until the food disappears ), but after that freaked out anytime she got close.

He's fed fresh fruits/vegies/sprouted seed every morning and a warm mash of sweet potato/pumpkin and vegies/grains mixed in of an evening, as well as some nuts and a little seed as treats.
He's still his usual active chatty self and loves flying around the house and hanging out on my shoulder.
I'm at a complete loss as to whats causing it but i really hope i can figure it out and discourage it before it becomes a full blown habit

I'm sorry to hear about Yoshi's problem. I hope it's only temporary, possibly hormone related or due to your housemate being home more. It's impossible to guess. Here's a link you may find helpful.

http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

Please keep us updated.

Thanks for the link. I guess its going to be a process of elimination to figure this out. As far as i could tell while i was back at work today he didn't pull any more out thankfully. I tried to take some photos to clearly show the bald spot but everytime i parted the little gap he wouldn't stay still long enough to get a good shot (camera= something to put in beak) as it's mostly hidden by the surrounding feathers but you can see the general area.

He is so adorable! I hope this is temporary thing, I think changing his location, cage or even sleeping area may help. I had an issue with my Rocky becoming distressed when visitors kids would come over at night which would leave him sleep deprived so I purchased a small cage that I put in my walk in so I can put him in to get a quite sleep. Do you shower him everyday? This is a great distraction also, as soon as I get home from work my Fids start screaming so I immediately get them and throw then in the shower with me, They love it and they spend the next one hour preening. I think it'll be fine, just change things up a little ; )

Best of luck