Pinto facial feathers and we have a tail feather!

Brittany741 · May 20, 2016

First, the happy news. We have a tail feather! Not sure if and when Pinto is going to barber it. He loves to split the quill into 20 sharp strands.

Next, the bad. He has some feather loss on his cheek and around his eyes. Any guesses on what could be causing this? Wrangler also has some mild loss around his eyes. Could this be molting or scratching them off, or actual feather loss? On the back of his neck, the feather shafts are still there but all the green is missing. It's strange.

SailBoat · May 20, 2016

Although possible, it is rare for head and upper neck feathers to be loss to plucking. It is possible for a parrot to use a claw to work feathers from those areas, or by cage or perch rubbing.

With molting, it is possible for these areas to become bare. Normally, you will notice the area becoming larger over a week or so. Watch the time line to determine what you are seeing. Plucking (using a claw or rubbing in this case) will produce a like bare area, however if so, it can come about in a matter of hours up to a couple of days.

As you know, its a process that you have to maintain a watchful eye!

Great news on the tail feather!

BIRDIGIRL · May 20, 2016

Could they possibly have mites Brittany? Nice that he has a tailfeather lets hope he looks after it...fingers crossed

Brittany741 · May 20, 2016

BIRDIGIRL said:
Could they possibly have mites Brittany? Nice that he has a tailfeather lets hope he looks after it...fingers crossed

Good idea. Won't hurt to treat them anyway, just in case.

Taw5106 · May 24, 2016

For mites take some scotch tape, wrap it around your finger, sticky side out and touch your bird's feet with it. Mites will stick to the tape giving you a positive if mites are involved.

I have been looking at your pics of the eyes and cheeks. Is this boy bathing regularly? Is he housed with another Ekkie or spends time in a common area with another Ekkie? If so, how are they with each other?

Just some thoughts. Venus has a recurring respiratory issue that causes the feathers around her left sinus and nare to fall out, leaving her a bald spot there. Keep us posted!

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Brittany741 · May 28, 2016

I will try the tape today! And of course Oliver is starting his first molt and that has me being even more nit-picky.

EdwardH · May 29, 2016

The breeder that I bought my Ruby from a few years ago told me of a rescue ekkie which he bought because she was bald as a billiard ball (expect for the head). When he placed her in an aviary with another ekkie she stopped plucking. In due course she regrew all her feathers and hasn't plucked a feather for many years.
I'm inclined to think that if Pinto has a healthy diet and is happy in his new environment the plucking behaviour will reduce dramatically very quickly - especially if he has others things to occupy his time with.

Raixalotto · May 29, 2016

Could it also be something called Mojo Moult? (I've heard it called that in Australia, unsure if it's called something else, though) where an Eclectus is moulting and a bald patch will appear (but feather back up) we have 2 Eclectus at the rescue I work at that have it (the Avian Vet told us that is what it was called, and not to panic unless it didn't feather up)

Anansi · May 30, 2016

Raixalotto said:
Could it also be something called Mojo Moult? (I've heard it called that in Australia, unsure if it's called something else, though) where an Eclectus is moulting and a bald patch will appear (but feather back up) we have 2 Eclectus at the rescue I work at that have it (the Avian Vet told us that is what it was called, and not to panic unless it didn't feather up)

This is definitely a possibility. Bixby had it. Very annoying, as it lasts for far longer than a regular molt. Hard to say for sure, though. You might want to take him in for a vet check to be sure.

chris-md · May 30, 2016

Another option could be improved diet. In my search for answers for Parker I came across a nugget that a significant improvement in diet can stimulate a very drastic molt. Makes sense to me: lack of nutrients needed to sustain a molt biologically makes sense would inhibit a molt

Anansi · May 31, 2016

Ah! Excellent point, Chris!

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calieckies · Jun 7, 2016

Looks like a typical Mojo molt to me

the face and neck etc

Pinto facial feathers and we have a tail feather!

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A prettier batch of chop there never was

those of you with Ekkies in your front room with tv

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