Parrots and feather louse/lice?

Featheredsamurai · Sep 14, 2014

Anyone ever deal with this before? I've relized I should really towel both Rosie and Kenji and look them over for louse. I'm 99% sure they do not have them, but I've had loads of exposure to bird louse through various birds and had to treat Shaymus earlier in the week with a spray.

But what about parrots? the spray says to avoid food and eyes, is it safe to be spraying on the feathers if I find any louse on them? I'm going to manhandle poor Kenji tomorrow and look him over, poor thing is going to hate it. Rosie's easier, she finds being held not her favorite thing but doesn't throw a fit(unless she is at the vet, then she even squawks a little).

Advice would be greatly appreciated

Scott · Sep 14, 2014

I have never experienced lice on my parrots in 25+ years of ownership in SoCal. Don't know if this is sheer luck or the absence of such infestations in the realm of the coastal to 10 miles inland venues.

Is the spray you described suitable for parrots? Regardless of labeling, it might be a good idea to check with an avian-specialist vet for best advice.

RavensGryf · Sep 14, 2014

Is this a problem that you (falconers) run into from time to time with the raptors? I would call an avian vet or even a few of them and see if they know if the product is safe for parrots. If it's not too much trouble, I'd go ahead and check Rosie and Kenji for peace of mind. Are the lice easy to see? Good luck!!

Featheredsamurai · Sep 14, 2014

It's marketed for parrots, but good idea to call my avian vet just to be sure.

@ravensGryf
It is a common problem, the raptors get the louse from pigeon and other infected bids. Maybe from landing in trees too. Not critical, but I think they're nasty and they eat the feathers making them look a little ratty and the birds are bothered. Louse are better than true lice since they eat the feathers and not the blood.

Nasty little critters x.x

louse on a pigeon wing

RavensGryf · Sep 14, 2014

Eww. Yuck. Are they fairly easy to get rid of?

Featheredsamurai · Sep 14, 2014

RavensGryf said:
Eww. Yuck. Are they fairly easy to get rid of?

pretty easy, I sprayed shaymus once and he hasn't shown signs of them since. Before they where crawling all over his wings. x.x I also found dead louse in his mouth from him preening them out.

EAI · Sep 15, 2014

Oh yuck! Poor Shaymus! it makes me want to check all my bird's wings!
I hate bundles of bugs...one or two are okay but when they're all scattered in one area...no thank you.

I would try to see if it's possible to spray your parrots too. I'm getting all heeber jeebers thinking about it.

Parrots and feather louse/lice?

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