A blessing and a curse

Parkers struggles flying lately, misisbg my hand and flying under it by a foot or more, and didn’t understand why.

Until today.

Parker really got into his shower today and spread his wings wide. That’s when I noticed it: he had barberer EVERY...single...flight feather. Only one primary feather is left.

He’s been on a particularly bad barbering kick lately. So the curse continues.

Plus side: he can’t fly to I could theoretically take him out this spring and summer without a harness cause there’s no way he’s flying anywhere.

I suppose every cloud has a silver lining.

Im sorry
It’s every parronts nightmare. We do our best to keep them happy & healthy and it still may happen. UGH

That’s terrible news. I hope he breaks the habit soon!

Don't assume anything taking him outside, we had an amazon clipped when I was a kid, rode around the street on my bike with him, then gust of wind took him up. Fortunately chased, landing in a tree and was so frightened didn't move till we got him.

I'm very sorry Parker is doing that to himself But you are right- now he can enjoy the outdoors in another month or 2, so that'll be nice for him

Thanks all! It’s a sad habit but at the end of the day he’s under wonderful, loving care. At this point all we can do is love him in all his downy pajamas

steveandbarb1 said:

Don't assume anything taking him outside, we had an amazon clipped when I was a kid, rode around the street on my bike with him, then gust of wind took him up. Fortunately chased, landing in a tree and was so frightened didn't move till we got him.

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I hear ya, I’ve heard all these kinds of stories. Difference here is that Parker isn’t clipped. Clipping only cuts down a few feathers, leaving those hlaf-feathers remaining, as well as the whole suite of primaries and secondaries that are left in tact.

He removed ALL his flight feathers, primaries and I believe even his secondaries (I’ll be the first to admit I can’t tell the difference). He officially has a single flight feather to share between his two wings. I’ve got him flight recall trained to an extent (coming to me when called) and he’s been dropping like a rock lately, not even getting 4 feet from his take off point. Scary stuff actually!

Don’t actually know how much advantage I’ll take here. He can’t fly but he can still get scared of new surroundings. I have time to game it out with him.

Aw, sorry to hear this, Chris! If I recall this is the first he's barbered his flights to this extent, right? You've had such an up and down battle with his plucking and barbering. Poor Parker. Have you ever tried chamomile flowers? Or even allnatural chamomile tea? Might have a calming effect on him.

I’m very sorry, total bummer!
Wishing you and Parker the best

Have you ever tried one of those fleece collars on Parker? The kind that are made to give pluckers something more appropriate to chew than their feathers? https://www.birdsupplies.com/collections/feather-plucking-bird-collar

- I have used the fleece collars and have been very happy with them. Much better than the hard plastic collars. The angles involved to barber Wing Feathers and the fleece collar should be a good combination. Worth trying.


- When reflighting an older Amazon, I would commonly use a short height perch to work on muscle development. If they got going, the glide range would be with in a soft landing height and length. Might work with maintaining your recall training and muscle memory. You may find yourself sitting on the floor, but if it works for you, so what!

Kiwibird said:

Have you ever tried one of those fleece collars on Parker? The kind that are made to give pluckers something more appropriate to chew than their feathers? https://www.birdsupplies.com/collections/feather-plucking-bird-collar

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I was going to suggest the same thing!

Sorry to hear Parker has decided to go nuts again, I kind of get how he feels in a weird way. I'm terrible for picking and scratching at any scabs, I have so many scars because of it yet couldn't tell you why I do it. I assume Parker might be much the same

I hadn’t really thought about the collars. I’m not quite sure how appropriate they are. Aren’t they more for mutilators to prevent skin damage?

Stephen, I hadn’t thought about teas, but I’m not sure how I would give it to him sincea he’s not really a water drinker?

chris-md said:

I hadn’t really thought about the collars. I’m not quite sure how appropriate they are. Aren’t they more for mutilators to prevent skin damage?

Stephen, I hadn’t thought about teas, but I’m not sure how I would give it to him sincea he’s not really a water drinker?

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The collars are for pluckers, too. Just more often seen on mutilators since the need is so much more urgent.

The tea idea came from Allee, as she often brews chamomile tea for her Harry whenever she (Harry, not Allee) becomes hormonal. Turns out it helps, because otherwise the hormones push Harry to pluck at her leg feathers. With my ekkies, I've used chamomile flowers sprinkled in with their meals. Not for any particular purpose so much as for simple variety of nutrition.

chris-md said:

I hadn’t really thought about the collars. I’m not quite sure how appropriate they are. Aren’t they more for mutilators to prevent skin damage?

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I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be appropriate to keep him from feather picking? Give him something else to chew besides his feathers. Perhaps it could break him of the habit for good even! According to the website I linked that sells the collars, they have different styles they recommend for different levels of plucking from mild to self mutilation.

I saw one used before for a chest plucking zon, well it was actually a hoody with some extra materials sewn onto the front but did the same job. Maybe see if you can find one of those fluffy collars online and see how parker handles it? You never know it may be enough to get it out of his mind enough to let the new feathers grow through and stop bothering him