GCC feathers

[leann4417]

Hi! I’m new to conures and got the sweetest hand fed green cheek. He’s about 16 weeks old now. Do his feathers look ok? Are they supposed to look kind of dark toward the ends?

 

[zERo]

Welcome to the forums!

It appears he has a bit of bronzing. This is fairly normal in young parrots especially as they are rough on their feathers.
A few of them look like stress bars too which are also from being rough by rolling around/playing on his back like lots of GCC like doing!

It should all molt out and be replaced by perfect feathers in the next few months.
Here’s a picture of what my GCC looked like when I brought him home vs. him now:
While he didn’t have bronzing he had lots of stress bars.

Now 2 years later

Your baby is a cutie btw! 😍
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

 

[leann4417]

Welcome to the forums!

It appears he has a bit of bronzing. This is fairly normal in young parrots especially as they are rough on their feathers.
A few of them look like stress bars too which are also from being rough by rolling around/playing on his back like lots of GCC like doing!

It should all molt out and be replaced by perfect feathers in the next few months.
Here’s a picture of what my GCC looked like when I brought him home vs. him now:
While he didn’t have bronzing he had lots of stress bars.
View attachment 51072
Now 2 years later
View attachment 51074

Your baby is a cutie btw! 😍
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you so much! Is there something different I should do with his cage? He loves his toys but I worry I put too much in it.

 

[zERo]

His cage looks okay!

Though, I would remove the bells on toys that have them, as the clapper aren’t always very secure.
The foraging toy up top is not 100% safe either.
I have the same one but can’t trust it as it’s almost small enough for my GCC or Quaker to get their head stuck in.

This forager is much safer and, IMO, offers more fun! My GCC loves it!
Paradise Toys Bird Creative Foraging System Wheel, Spins with Food Inside, 6” Diameter https://a.co/d/3XdnEL0

Just one more thing, the two colorful toys, me personally, I would remove them. The clips aren’t safe and the beads appear to be painted rather than dyed. You can check with a wet paper towel, if they’re painted no color will come off.
When looking for a clip, use stainless steel or aluminum and they must twist shut, and twist very tightly!

I’m not trying to scare you or anything. I can tell you already adore your little guy!
Here’s a few sites I like to order from for natural toys and toy parts.

My Safe Bird Store https://www.mysafebirdstore.com/
MakeYourOwnBirdToys.com https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/

The other two toys you have are great though! When getting him more I’d just keep in mind to look for more natural toys.

 

[clark_conure]

Meh, birds fine..........IMO.


I don't see any dark banding or anything and seems ok with you.

If you start seeing dark stipes in the color feathers bad, but this one looks completely healthy and well tempered.

 

[leann4417]

His cage looks okay!

Though, I would remove the bells on toys that have them, as the clapper aren’t always very secure.
The foraging toy up top is not 100% safe either.
I have the same one but can’t trust it as it’s almost small enough for my GCC or Quaker to get their head stuck in.

This forager is much safer and, IMO, offers more fun! My GCC loves it!
Paradise Toys Bird Creative Foraging System Wheel, Spins with Food Inside, 6” Diameter https://a.co/d/3XdnEL0

Just one more thing, the two colorful toys, me personally, I would remove them. The clips aren’t safe and the beads appear to be painted rather than dyed. You can check with a wet paper towel, if they’re painted no color will come off.
When looking for a clip, use stainless steel or aluminum and they must twist shut, and twist very tightly!

I’m not trying to scare you or anything. I can tell you already adore your little guy!
Here’s a few sites I like to order from for natural toys and toy parts.

My Safe Bird Store https://www.mysafebirdstore.com/
MakeYourOwnBirdToys.com https://makeyourownbirdtoys.com/

The other two toys you have are great though! When getting him more I’d just keep in mind to look for more natural toys.

Good points! Thank you! I’ll look into them.

 

[clark_conure]

you won't see them...he's obviously happy.Just enjoy your new bird.

 

[zERo]

I mean you can’t deny he has bronzing a bit. The OP is clearly distressed about it and wanting to know if this issues can resolve itself.
I saw this in my own GCC when I brought him home as you can see in the first picture of him I posted.

I agree it’s not of terrible concern, but if the poster is concerned, and they are, we should ease their worry if the situation does not match it.