black tip feathers... stimulate molting??

[GetDownPip]

We have had our GCC for almost 3 years now. Bought him young (at an appropriate age) from a good breeder.

My question is... He has had black tipped feathers on his wings (small green feather above blue flight feathers) ever since we got him! Initially I thought they were just weathered feathers and he would molt them. 3 years later and he has not molted them yet! He has molts his tail feathers, his flight feather and his head feathers, everything BUT his small green wing feathers.

Now, we do pet him down his back, but that wouldn't keep them weathered/black would it?? I mean we scratch his head and those feathers look like new.

Should I be concerned? Is there a way to stimulate or promote molting? If he is fine, I'm ok with him looking "a little rough." :20:

He is on the same ZuPreem Natural pellet diet with occasional fruit and sunflower seeds. (I'm just started to try to expand his fruit & veggie diet.)

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

 

[wrench13]

Some species just naturly have black tip feathers. What you want to watch for are stress bars, further up the feathers. They can happen while feathers are growing and somethig stresses them.

 

[GetDownPip]

Some species just naturly have black tip feathers. What you want to watch for are stress bars, further up the feathers. They can happen while feathers are growing and somethig stresses them.

Thank you for your comment.
I don't think they are stress bars. It just looks like the ends of the feathers have just been weathered/roughed up. I just find it very strange that those feathers have yet to molt, probably his entire life this far. :33: Is that odd?

 

[Jen5200]

My GCC Tango always has some feathers that look like this. I’m pretty it’s just wear and tear. I think by the time he molts and regrows some of them, the others are starting to look worn. I don’t ever see many of those feathers in the cage bottom, now that I’m thinking about it. I wonder if they are less important than flights and tails, so are replaced less often?

 

[GetDownPip]

My GCC Tango always has some feathers that look like this. I’m pretty it’s just wear and tear. I think by the time he molts and regrows some of them, the others are starting to look worn. I don’t ever see many of those feathers in the cage bottom, now that I’m thinking about it. I wonder if they are less important than flights and tails, so are replaced less often?

Ah... kinda makes sense. I barely every see feathers in his cage, unless they are flight or tail feathers.

 

[MonicaMc]

An improved diet with more fresh foods may help... but if you are petting the back feathers, first off, that can cause the feather bronzing (which you are describing) as well as encourage sexual hormonal behavior...