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[BirdLover80]

Hi everybody! A little about myself...my wife and I have 3 birds, 2 lutino cockatiels, both male, Peter and Tristan, and a green indian ringneck parrot, female, Isolde. We had a third cockatiel, Zoey, but sadly she passed away about month ago. She bonded to me bigtime and I was crushed when she left us.

All of our birds are rescues and I'm happy that we took them out of the bad situations that they were in. It's so sad that pet owners neglect their feathered friends because the bird didn't meet their expectations or didn't bond to them.

My IRN is 20 years old and losing her feathers. I'm guessing it's because of her old age but will know more as soon as I can get her into an avian vet. I have not seen her plucking but I can't watch her 24/7. Any pointers on this would be appreciated.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and a warm welcome to the forums.

Can you give us a little more info on your IRN? When did she begin to lose feathers? Is it in excess of a normal molt? Do the lost feathers looked chewed/mutilated?

This thread may prove helpful in distinguishing normally molted feathers to those that were pulled: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

 

[BirdLover80]

Can you give us a little more info on your IRN? When did she begin to lose feathers? Is it in excess of a normal molt? Do the lost feathers looked chewed/mutilated?

Thank you! According to the previous owner, Isolde did pluck her feathers previously but hasn't plucked in a year or two. I have cleaned the cage since rescuing her so I cannot say whether the feathers looked chewed gnawed on. I didn't really pay much attention when I cleaned the cage out. I will be on the lookout from now on though.

I can tell you she is badly malnutritioned though. The previous owner didn't know much about birds at all and was feeding her parakeet seed. I've read that malnutrition can lead to plumage loss. She was also in a very stressed out environment because the previous owner has about 8 chihuahuas that yapped nonstop.

Any help would be welcomed and appreciated!

 

[SilverSage]

When did you get her?

First step; avian vet ASAP

Second step, safe environment

Third step; a bath!

Fourth step; lots of fresh yummies! At that age it might be tough, but if a seem better than most species at attacking good foods. Hit hard with orange, red, and yellow foods like peppers, squash, carrots, etc. and LOTS of greens.


I have to mention, what feathers are disappearing? Irns are particularly prone to PBFD and a test is in order right away for the safety of your own flock. $20 from avian biotech. Please get her tested.

 

[BirdLover80]

Thanks for the suggestions. I got her 2 weeks ago. The feathers that are disappearing are on the chest, back, neck, and under the wings. I've noticed that her balance is poor too as she often stumbles and falls over while walking. Other than the feather loss and poor balance, she seems otherwise healthy. She chirps, whistles, sings, flies, and very cheeky with me. Sadly, I don't have the money to take her to an avian vet at the moment.

 

[RavensGryf]

First, observe if she is indeed plucking them out, or if they are 'disappearing'. If they are disappearing, you'd definitely want to know if it is a result of heavy molting, or disease. Wendy gave an excellent link above on plucking. If you determine your bird is not plucking, it isn't to be taken lightly if you can't figure out the reason for the feathers disappearing.

Even if you say it is not financially possible to go to the vet right now, as SilverSage said, I'd go here to AvianBiotech for reliable and affordable testing: Order Collection Kits and Supplies Online and order your collection kit for PBFD. It is only $24.50 Service Pricing Just to rule it out. It is essential for any parrot owner to know they don't have this dreaded disease in their home. It can decimate your entire flock, and is scarily not super rare. If you have any questions about collection or sending your sample, contact them here: Contact Information In the mean time, try bathing her or at least misting with a bottle, and get her on a better diet. Here's a good link on that http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

Best of luck with your girl . Please keep us posted!

 

[BirdLover80]

Thank you so much for the info! I will do that as soon as I can. I'll read up on a better diet as well. I've already switched her from seed to pellets and started giving her fresh fruits too.

 

[BirdLover80]

I found some photos of my wife and I's birds on my phone so I thought I'd share. :09:

Peter - our male, lutino cockatiel

Tristan - our other male, lutino cockatiel

Isolde - our indian ringneck

These are the only photos I have of Isolde at the moment. You can clearly see the plumage loss though. I'll post better photos as soon as I'm able to.

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to y'all

 

[RavensGryf]

Though I'm no expert with plucking, it looks like it might be, since the bare patches are in a specific area on the shoulders. Again, it's just an opinion, and I still urge you to get the testing done.

Both tiels are cute! They're pied mutation, not lutino .

 

[SilverSage]

Agreed with Julie, and I would wonder about mites as well, which could get to your cockatiels also. And again, Julie hit it on the nose; your beautiful tiles are not lutino, but pied lutino birds are fully lacking any grey feathers.

 

[BirdLover80]

Thanks guys! I have not seen any mites on her but I will definitely keep an eye out. Wouldn't I see them crawling on her if she had them?

 

[SilverSage]

No, feather mites are very very tiny, you wouldn't see them with a naked eye.

 

[Regan]

Welcome! I can't help you but I can say you will be a great birdie parent! Your feathered babies will be glad you have taken them under your wing

 

[BirdLover80]

Just a quick update since I havent been here as of late. I can say for certainty that shes not plucking her feathers as theres no feathers on the bottom of the cage and I havent cleaned the cage in about a week. Must be mites or something else. I've noticed that shes growing feathers back in fact. Not many but it's a start. Few questing if you guys dont mind answering.

1) How do I get my bird to stop yapping and screeching all the time? Now, I know birds can be noisy animals, I get that. I want her to chatter and such and I'd be worried if she wasn't. But high pitch squaking that can blow out eardrums is a little much. I'm guessing shes doing it for attention. Is there any way to discourage it?

2) It seems my bird thinks I'm her mate. Whenever I whistle or talk to her she makes this clicky sound, positions her body so that her wings are in the shape of a heart, and demands for her head and back to be rubbed. Is this normal? I don't have any problem with it, was just curious since I've never heard of it before.

Thanks!