What are these small black flakes?

ParrotAddict · Apr 6, 2012

Hello to all my Parrot friends:

I have recently added a new member to my family. She is a 8 month old orange vested Senegal. I have noticed when I spend time with her that when she preens herself, some small black flakes will fall off of her, as well as some small clear flakes. I only see these flakes when she is preening herself and she does have alot of little new feathers growing up too. Someone suggested to me "Mites", but these small black flakes dont move at all and besides, I thought you could not visualize mites very well with a naked eye. Could this possibly be from the new feathers growing in?

Please let me know for I am concerned! :rainbow1:

amysaviary · Apr 6, 2012

Without a pic. I would say it is the coating on the feathers from when they come in. When she preens or u pet her they r breaking open (which is a good thing) and then u see these flakes. I would not worry at all.

JamesC · Apr 6, 2012

Before I got my conure a buddy that now performs that function, I used to help her crack open the pin feathers she could not get to. They consist of the clear flakes and the black. I always thought that the black was residual blood that was left in the shell when the feather was growing but I don't have that as fact. Just a guess. I agree, it is probably nothing to worry about. But as with anything with birds, if it catches your attention keep an eye on it until you are sure that it is normal.

roxynoodle · Apr 7, 2012

Ok, I have not seen any of the black and my amazon covers me in feather sheath pieces all day, but it does make sense that it could be dried blood from the blood supply to the new feather. If the bird is not overly itchy or showing signs of pain and you don't see them moving, it is probably not mites. Although when you take it to the vet for it's wellness check, you might want to have him/her take a close look to make sure.

I've also read if a bird has mites you will see tiny holes in feathers.

suebee · Apr 7, 2012

put black flakes onto a damp tissue etc see if they bleed so to speak

i've never seen black flakes coming off nut, but she is currently covered in pins

Spiritbird · Apr 7, 2012

My bird does this too when she is actively preening. I reallly do not worry about it.

ParrotAddict · Apr 9, 2012

THANK YOU everyone for all your comments. I argee, I think it is just from her preening her new feathers. Thank again!

What are these small black flakes?

ParrotAddict

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amysaviary

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JamesC

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roxynoodle

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suebee

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Spiritbird

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ParrotAddict

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do your birds have an *ahem i am busy look???

Bowie whistled!

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