Congo African Grey Losing 1 big feather about once every 3 days

[danbrah]

Hello, recently I've noticed that my parrot is losing one of his huge feathers once in a while... Like a flight feather (not the main ones that are black) and one of the Red tail feathers, and other random medium size feathers.

It's not everyday but seems to happen every few days.. I believe he is pulling them out himself because I seen him do it only once, but it was as if he was just preening himself (I witnessed this while I was walking around with him having fun in the house)

However; NONE of these feathers have any trace of blood.

Is their a cause for worry? I have gone to the vet before and they thought nothing of the feathers.


His diet consists of:

First Meal:
Totally Organic Pellets/ Sesame seed mix in the morning. (around 4 teaspoons of seeds and 4 teaspoons pellets)

Second Meal:
Brown rice or Quinoa and Bell peppers or Broccoli or Romane Lettuce

Throughout the day for treats: Approx 1 or 2 Veggie Nutriberri

(just an example)

 

[MikeyTN]

Some of my birds are still going through their molt right now so it's not unusual for them to be molting at this time, it varies depending on when they were hatched. Keep an eye on him for the time being, if you have a photo of him, please do post it for us to see so we can get a better idea.

 

[danbrah]

Some of my birds are still going through their molt right now so it's not unusual for them to be molting at this time, it varies depending on when they were hatched. Keep an eye on him for the time being, if you have a photo of him, please do post it for us to see so we can get a better idea.

Ops it's a her.
Photo of her or the feathers that dropped?


I don't think you could tell anything about her from a picture. She looks normal other than feathers missing around her neck, under her wings, near her feet, a bit on her stomach (due to fighting against another parrot for dominance when she was with her previous owner from what I been told by him)

I adopted her almost 2 months ago and the Owner told me that she was currently molting.

 

[danbrah]

Here is a picture if it helps. This picture is 1 month old; the big feathers didn't happen till the past couple weeks though.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't think Michael was talking about pictures of dropped feathers, LOL.

She could be going through a heavy molt at the moment, and that's why she is dropping so many feathers. If she is on a drastically different diet than she was on before you picked her up, this could also cause her to molt more heavily. Giving her more baths than usual during molts make it easier on them/for them.

Very good looking girl you got there.

 

[MikeyTN]

IF you could have a more updated picture of her it would be helpful! She's a pretty girl though!!!

 

[danbrah]

Here is an updated picture.

Typically how long does a Molt last for?

 

[MonicaMc]

Molts may only last a month, or they can last several months. One of my birds has been molting for 5 months, and if she continues molting, it'll be 6 months next month! Thought she was finished and then she lost 3 more large feathers. Been small feathers since.