Having 2 Green Cheek siblings, how to tell if preening is bad?

[Gxg]

I was wondering since I've noticed a couple of times whole feathers taken out whenever my babies preen each other - they are 5 to 6 months old now and I was wondering if this is simply molting again - but I am not certain at this point...

 

[jagrooten5]

I'm no expert but I think if you see blood on the feathers that is a bad sign, and if one or the other starts to get noticeable bald spots. I know I get concerned when I see Lily drop a big feather but keep in mind that parrots molt in cycles, so they lose and grow feathers all the time. I am always paranoid about plucking because I knew a guy who had an African gray with the worst case of plucking I have ever seen.
Your best bet is to keep lots of toys and stuff to keep them from getting bored. Change their cage around every few days to make it interesting. That's what I've read about preventing plucking.

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[GaleriaGila]

Agreeing with Jag...

Stay tuned for more input from our many GCC afficianados, and others.

Meanwhile...



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[Gxg]

I'm no expert but I think if you see blood on the feathers that is a bad sign, and if one or the other starts to get noticeable bald spots. I know I get concerned when I see Lily drop a big feather but keep in mind that parrots molt in cycles, so they lose and grow feathers all the time. I am always paranoid about plucking because I knew a guy who had an African gray with the worst case of plucking I have ever seen.
Your best bet is to keep lots of toys and stuff to keep them from getting bored. Change their cage around every few days to make it interesting. That's what I've read about preventing plucking.

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These are some of the feathers I've seen thus far...

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[jagrooten5]

Lily sheds those all the time. I don't know for sure but I don't think it's something to be concerned about. Lily has lots of little pin feathers on her head too, so I know she just molted a lot. Do either of yours have any pin feathers?

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[Skittys_Daddy]

Those are quills that they are shedding and birds shed them all the time. They are probably the most common sheddings. Its totally normal, its just like us shedding hair.

The larger feathers (primaries, flight and tail) are shed more sporadically throughout the year depending on their molts. These are also often the most troublesome as they grow in as 'blood feathers', then as pin feathers and finally the actual feather itself. These are the ones that you really need to keep an eye out for, as far as damages go- but with plucking, the quills are more common.

Its still a good idea to keep an eye out for any unusual markings/bald spots or bloody feathers. I examine Skittles daily. He is always wanting 'pinnies' preened on his head.



In the meantime, here are a few suggestions as far as plucking goes.

If your bird is being plucked by the other bird, separate them. Birds preen each other all the time, but they shouldn't be plucking each other (you'll know if that is happening because the one being plucked will express their displeasure.) But based on the pictures you posted- its more them preening each other. I don't see anything that resembles plucking behavior- but take that with a grain of salt as I'm no expert on plucking.

 

[CherylCali]

EarlyBird loses those on her own too from normal grooming. And sometimes a little fluff of her grey undercoat.

CherylCali

 

[jagrooten5]

Haha Lily loses little gray downy fluff all the time and it floats through the air 😂

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[Gxg]

Lily sheds those all the time. I don't know for sure but I don't think it's something to be concerned about. Lily has lots of little pin feathers on her head too, so I know she just molted a lot. Do either of yours have any pin feathers?

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This one just came out today and it took me by surprise how one of them seemed cool, then this appeared.

 

[Leaf]

Hm, only had Auri for a little over a month now, and she's not quite due for molting (about 4mo old), but might be approaching it. She preens a lot but I've only ever seen her lose a couple tiny chest feathers.

The tailfeather you showed let me do a quick search and from the looks what I've managed to find lying around the web, they might be entering their first molt. Might not be any behavioral issues causing the feather loss, and from what I've read it's perfectly normal for it to actually work the other way around during the molting process Hope it helps you!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I keep my birds feathers in plastic bags. I still have feathers from my first bird, a budgie. Its like having a piece of them with you all the time.

 

[snowflake311]

My black capped conure started his first Big molt at 5 months. He is 6 months and still molting this is a big one. He is going to shed all his baby feathers and get his big boy feathers. He already looks so much brighter and we still have a lot more to shed. Sprinkles preens all the time and wants me to preen him too.

Do you keep your babies together in the same cage? They might bond to eachother more than you.

 

[Gxg]

I keep my birds feathers in plastic bags. I still have feathers from my first bird, a budgie. Its like having a piece of them with you all the time.

I agree

I've decided to simply start taking pictures of them to see their feather development.

This is the girl from a couple of days ago...

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And this is the boys..

Maybe I'm off - but it seemed her feathers were a lot rougher than his. And I was trying to make certain I was not crazy...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

You named your birds "Peace and Quiet"? Are you sure they are conures? I mean thats like naming a politician "Honest" lol.

 

[Gxg]

You named your birds "Peace and Quiet"? Are you sure they are conures? I mean thats like naming a politician "Honest" lol.

It fit their personalities perfectly and they're very off the wall - Quiet is very low key, but she's very strong/confident and affectionate....AND willful. She will do what she's determined to do and she doesn't play. Peace is so hyper/excited and hilarious but easy-going - it's bananas