Cockatiel preening feathers weirdly.

[CailynDV]

Hey, I have a cockatiel who has messy looking wing feathers from preening. This may be normal but I am unsure as I have never seen her do this before. Any help is appreciated

 

[HeatherG]

What are you concerned about? She looks well to me. (But maybe I’m missing what you’re talking about).

 

[CailynDV]

What are you concerned about? She looks well to me. (But maybe I’m missing what you’re talking about).

It's hard to get it on camera but she preening her feathers and makes them look very messy. In the first photo you can kind of see it on the wing closest to the cage. It's probably normal she has just never done that.

 

[HeatherG]

It's hard to get it on camera but she preening her feathers and makes them look very messy. In the first photo you can kind of see it on the wing closest to the cage. It's probably normal she has just never done that.

If I’m seeing what you’re referring to, her wing primary feather is just a bit ‘unzipped’ or ruffled at the edge. She should be able to “zip” it back up with her beak. Of course, as feathers get older they can wear out, get bent or broken, and they don’t zip up or interlock as well. That’s why birds moult: to replace the old, worn feathers.

Is that answering your question or am I way off?

 

[CailynDV]

If I’m seeing what you’re referring to, her wing primary feather is just a bit ‘unzipped’ or ruffled at the edge. She should be able to “zip” it back up with her beak. Of course, as feathers get older they can wear out, get bent or broken, and they don’t zip up or interlock as well. That’s why birds moult: to replace the old, worn feathers.

Is that answering your question or am I way off?

Yeah that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I just didn’t want it to be something that could possibly lead to plucking or something like that. I’m just very cautious with them and if they even act or seem a little it different I get worried. Thank you so much for answering!