Molting vs. Plucking

thesarahdox · Jul 21, 2013

Because I've found so many contradictory viewpoints online, I'm coming to y'all.

My lil green cheeked conure, Punku, is almost 6 months old. He hatched the 2nd week in February. Overall he is well behaved, happy, lovable, goofy, and fun.

Over the past couple days, I've come across several feathers of his. Some were in his cage and the others were on our shoulders after he was preening. Being a first time bird owner, I'm terrified he's plucking. Some people are saying he's molting, others are convinced it's plucking. Any idea at all?

I tried posting a picture here, but it's saying I exceeded my limit...not sure what that means... :/
You can see the pic of all the feathers at www.instagram.com/thesarahdox

Please help....this mama is really worried

goalerjones · Jul 21, 2013

Since the answers we give will most likely play into the "either/or" categories I would advise an avian vet visit.

SoCalWendy · Jul 21, 2013

Those feathers don't look chewed, I'd say molt.

thesarahdox · Jul 21, 2013

goalerjones said:
Since the answers we give will most likely play into the "either/or" categories I would advise an avian vet visit.

That's on our agenda this week!

Echo · Jul 22, 2013

It is a molt. No worries.

thesarahdox · Jul 22, 2013

Your confident answer makes me feel better!

MeganMango · Jul 22, 2013

I went through the same thing when Mango had his first molt. One morning there was a whole pile of feathers on the floor, and he was grooming more than usual so I had the same worry. It was just a molt though, confirmed by all the new tail and wing feathers.

Echo · Jul 22, 2013

I breed Green Cheeks and right now, there's little feathers everywhere that I need to vacuum daily.

The feathers you found are molted feathers, they are whole and not chewed, and different sizes which is important as usually a bird tend to pluck in one area mostly so in your case they are coming from different parts of the body.

Totally normal for this time of year!

Please provide bathing water for your bird as what says molted feathers says new ones coming along which can be a bit itchy and irritable for him.

Echo · Jul 22, 2013

Also, I have a Grey who plucks no I can tell the difference pretty well.

Kalidasa · Jul 22, 2013

Look at the quills, if there's no blood at the tip it was ready to come out....there's generally a spot (or more) of blood on the quill if its been plucked before its time.

Echo · Jul 22, 2013

There's not always blood on a plucked feather. There's only blood if it is a blood or immature feather that was plucked. However, often times the end of the feathers is nipped or chewed when plucked.

DallyTsuka · Jul 23, 2013

gonna say molting.

plucking, you'll have bald spots on your bird as well

this is plucking:

my lovebird only ever plucks when she is on eggs though.

thesarahdox · Jul 23, 2013

Thank you all for your input! You made me feel much better! *hugs*

Auggie's Dad · Jul 23, 2013

Another way of saying it:
feathers on bird + feathers on ground = molting
no feathers on bird + feathers on ground = plucking
no feathers on bird + no feathers on ground = you don't have a parrot yet.

Echo · Jul 23, 2013

Auggie's Dad said:
Another way of saying it:
feathers on bird + feathers on ground = molting
no feathers on bird + feathers on ground = plucking
no feathers on bird + no feathers on ground = you don't have a parrot yet.

LOL well said! This made me laugh.

Molting vs. Plucking

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