Feather plucking

[ZooMama]

My Orange Wing, Bibi, is 7 months old. I hand fed him from the time that he was 2 weeks old and we are very well bonded. He was weaned to a pellet and seed diet, but is now off of seeds altogether. He is rarely left alone. He has 4 perches around the house and 2 at work. I introduce new toys regularly. He comes to work with me and has since he was 3 weeks old, so I don't think that it is stressful for him. He gets supplemented with fresh or frozen fruits, veggies, grains and eggs. His pellet diet is Pretty Bird Hi-Pro for Amazons. He showers once a week and loves it.

That's his background.... now he is featherplucking around his neck. It started about 4 weeks ago. The strange thing is that he will do it while we are interacting and will often drop a toy or food suddenly to pick his feathers. His behavior seems like he is itchy. What do you suggest?

 

[oled]

Maby you should get help from a vet

 

[ZooMama]

Yes. I plan on going this week, but I thought I would check the forum first to see if anyone has has a similar experience.

 

[henpecked]

Could be mites. has he been around other birds or where wild birds might have been?Sometimes you can catch mites with a piece of scotch tape around his feet where there are no feathers,look with magnifying glass and see if you see any small "bugs". Vet visit might be in order.

 

[ZooMama]

I've got an appointment for this afternoon.

Mites have been a concern, although I've been told that they are not very common in captive bred birds. However, he does come to work with me. It is an old building and very dusty.

Thanks for your responses. I will let you know what the Doc says.

 

[Clueless]

I'm new to the forum and my first post here. I rescued 2 amazons in August of last year -- they are older birds (imported).

Please rely on your veterinarian.

I did want to let you know that I was told about an African Gray that was plucking feathers around his neck. She took him to the vet and was told that her bird had an infection in his craw. The vet told her it probably happened when he drank his own water (apparently this can happen if they use the bathroom in their water). The owner moved the water dish to avoid any accidents in the future. The bird was treated with medicine and is doing fine.

 

[KellyH]

I'm new to the forum and my first post here. I rescued 2 amazons in August of last year -- they are older birds (imported).

Please rely on your veterinarian.

I did want to let you know that I was told about an African Gray that was plucking feathers around his neck. She took him to the vet and was told that her bird had an infection in his craw. The vet told her it probably happened when he drank his own water (apparently this can happen if they use the bathroom in their water). The owner moved the water dish to avoid any accidents in the future. The bird was treated with medicine and is doing fine.

That's good thinking and a definite possibility. Could also be a small toy part or something foreign lodged in his crop that is bothering him.

 

[lene1949]

Maybe the bird is just molting and not actually plucking?

 

[melissasparrots]

Its highly unusual for a young amazon to pluck and amazons aren't very pluck prone period. I think a vet trip is in order. This seems like a physical problem. My GSC2 started plucking when she was 13 months old and its allergies. Not saying your bird has allergies, but my vote would be a physical issue and a vet is in order to make sure its not something serious brewing.
Melissa