Downy feathers sticking out

[Kareem storer]

Our African Grey, Belle, is a happy, friendly bird. She doesn't pluck her feathers, plays a lot and has a lovely temperament. We've had her for over a year and we got her when she was 18 months old.

Her diet consists of fresh veggie mix in the morning and quality non-seed pellets in the afternoon and evening (she grazes in the afternoon and chows down in the evening).

We don't have an avian vet here (I live in Phnom Penh). She seems in good health and spirits, but we've noticed her downy feathers sticking out of her breast. It's been like this for about 2 months now ... so just wondering if it is anything to worry about.

Thank you

 

[Cottonoid]

Welcome to the forum! She is really beautiful

That is odd! I don't have much experience with feather issues - my parrot IS a plucker so I only see downy feathers The feathers around those little poofs look like they're in good condition too. Does it seem like she's missing feathers? Or the downy feathers are just long and sticking out? Do you think she will molt any time soon?

Sorry for all the questions and no advice! I'm very curious what others with more experience will say!

 

[texsize]

To have the downy feathers exposed for so long seems unusual but I don't know what could cause it.
My best guess is 3 or 4 of the contour feathers on her breast was molted or pulled put exposing the down feathers.

 

[HeatherG]

I would agree and think she may be barbering or chewing her chest feathers, exposing the fluffy feathers underneath.

 

[Kareem storer]

I've been monitoring her quite closely, actually they aren't sticking out today, I think she's due a molt. So this could just be a false alarm ... thank you all for your input