Is this molting or plucking?

[masterrez]

Hi I have a green cheek conure who has grey spots around her body. I see random feathers in her cage here and there and pin feathers. My question is ....is this 100 percent molting or could she be plucking as well? The reason why I ask this is because I was away for about 2 weeks. So I'm wondering if she is plucking or just molting. While I was away she was taken out and into the family living room by my dad so she was not ignored or anything. When i came back she was kinda grumpy but not to the point where she had behavior problems. Again she could have been grumpy because of his molting because i know my dad and i know he took care of the bird while i was away. I just want to be sure cuz if it is molting it will be our first one.

Anywho here are some pics. I could not take any under the wing cuz she would not stop moving lol. But there are grey patches there to. Anyway thabks for the help guys and i love this bird to death so i always try to keep her in good health.

 

[AFP520]

I'm not an expert but that looks like a ton of pin feathers on the face. Molting is my guess.

 

[wenz2712]

I would say molting.. Codie has also been going through a molt for Weeks now!

 

[Bobioden]

I also would say molting. Give her plenty of baths. It softens the pinnies up, and makes it easier for her to remove them.

 

[lexx510]

Pin Galore! She's molting, lol.

 

[masterrez]

Lol thanks guys. I didn't even know what pin feathers were until this morning and the feather lossng with the pin feathers were freaking me out. And I'm trying with the baths I make sure she has one every night. But some niights she just doesn't want one.

 

[AFP520]

Take her in the shower, and gently roll those pin feathers in between your fingers to help break them open.

I've read molting is a painful process (compare it to the pain of stubbing your toe) and this helps give them some relief.

 

[masterrez]

okay! i will try that and see if it helps. Thanks for the tip!

 

[patch]

Was it like one day your bird just exploded? Because that happened to me too. I looked at the ground around his cage and feathers everywhere. Then he became a porcupine all over.

 

[masterrez]

Was it like one day your bird just exploded? Because that happened to me too. I looked at the ground around his cage and feathers everywhere. Then he became a porcupine all over.

Lol no I was away so when I came back all I see are these grey patches...I didn't really notice the pin feathers but then I was like what the heck are those lol

 

[lexx510]

Oh, and be prepared for her to be quite moody while she's molting.