Thanks for the reply we were looking too buy the bird it’s from a pet store but they say the bird is 5 months old but by the way it looks it seems much older its already semi tame and will eat food from your hand but we feel like this bird is older and maybe someone returned him?They can have wear and tear, and beat them up in cage. Probably will molt them out soon. So I say normal. Tho you might see if cage stuff needs re arrange. My girl tail feathers don't get in this state . But I've had my quaker beat hers up
Does it have a ring on the leg? With that you should be able to know at least the year it was hatched.Thanks for the reply we were looking too buy the bird it’s from a pet store but they say the bird is 5 months old but by the way it looks it seems much older its already semi tame and will eat food from your hand but we feel like this bird is older and maybe someone returned him?
Thank you it doesn’t have a ring on but the other birds did who we were told one was a sibling, he does seem to come too the cage as soon as we interacted with him, do you think he looks like a healthy bird other than his tail looking chewed up? He seems to be quite active and friendly.Does it have a ring on the leg? With that you should be able to know at least the year it was hatched.
Quite common with very young conures (especially fresh from aviaries or pet stores) to have such feathers. Mine is freshly a year old and has had similar feathers. Now he molted most of his tail feathers and new ones look gorgeous. Don't worry, you'll see till his next molt. Also if the bird loves to climb on the cage sides it is possible their feathers always might look bit ruffled.
In your case it looks obviously chewed up. Baby/young conures still are clumsy and Don't know how to preen properly yet, so through time they should learn to preen gentlier through time. As mentioned, my Pascal was very much guilty of chewing up his feathers, not just the tail, but nearly all his feathers. Now he doesn't do it anymore. Another guy I know personally also has like a 6 month old conure who's tail feathers have been chewed up. As mentioned, they should grow out of it.
From the picture it looks fine. However it is always best to have an avian vet to do a general check up from up close, and they could help you much better about your bird's need as they might require something specific. I highly suggest to have microbiotic tests of the dropping, it can also tell a lot about bird's health.Thank you it doesn’t have a ring on but the other birds did who we were told one was a sibling, he does seem to come too the cage as soon as we interacted with him, do you think he looks like a healthy bird other than his tail looking chewed up? He seems to be quite active and friendly. View attachment 30484
Thanks allot for the reply will bear this in mindFrom the picture it looks fine. However it is always best to have an avian vet to do a general check up from up close, and they could help you much better about your bird's need as they might require something specific. I highly suggest to have microbiotic tests of the dropping, it can also tell a lot about bird's health.
It's truly amazing and very good thing if he is friendly from the start! Possibly he was handraised or socialised well with humans while he was a chick.
Also the vet should be able to confirm if they are under a year old, usually the eyes, feet and the beak are a dead giveaway from closer inspection. Other than that it is not possible to determine a bird's age.
Thank you, I think we will go ahead and get this conure after all he was so friendly! Thanks.Absolutely if the bird like you and interact with you that's a winner!!! Parrots that choose their people know best!
BTW my first GCC was stunted with bald head and terrible feathers, but she chose me! I almost got the pretty one next to her , but it paid me no mind. My girl and I had a special wonderful bond and 17 years of love. The burd lady at the store, and told me when one chooses you like that, that's the one you want. She told me the mom bird had plucked her head, and it was true feathers grew back perfect.
You definitely pick the one that picks you
Thank you it really is helpful all these comments from knowing nothing about it to everything basically. ThanksAs said above, pretty common with young birds. I also have one sun conure who is almost 10 and is very hard on her tail feathers. All the rest of her feathers look perfect, but she trashes her tail by climbing up and down the sides of her cage.