Is this normal for the conures feathers too look like this?

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
FE94E3C0-932B-4185-A1A1-09CF776D18F9.png
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
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
 
OP
L

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
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
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?
 

Skarila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
2021 Parrot of the Year 🏆
Apr 19, 2021
766
Media
86
Albums
5
2,660
Hungary
Parrots
✻Csillam the rescued budgie
✻Pascal the Emma's (Venezuelan) Conure

Previous owned:
✻Archibald the cockatiel (fostered 6 months)
✻RIP - 28 YO Zeleni the mischievous IRN
✻RIP -Sunny the budgie
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?
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.
 
OP
L

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
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.
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.
7E206E95-3F01-47A9-808A-ADAD04644E90.jpeg
 

Skarila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
2021 Parrot of the Year 🏆
Apr 19, 2021
766
Media
86
Albums
5
2,660
Hungary
Parrots
✻Csillam the rescued budgie
✻Pascal the Emma's (Venezuelan) Conure

Previous owned:
✻Archibald the cockatiel (fostered 6 months)
✻RIP - 28 YO Zeleni the mischievous IRN
✻RIP -Sunny the budgie
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
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.
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.
 
OP
L

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
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.
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.
Thanks allot for the reply will bear this in mind
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
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
 
OP
L

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
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, I think we will go ahead and get this conure after all he was so friendly! Thanks.
 

Jen5200

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2017
1,874
Media
23
Albums
2
249
Washington State
Parrots
Baby - Sun Conure;
Tango - GCC;
Bindi - Sun Conure;
Stanley - Pineapple GCC;
Screamer “Scree� - Cockatiel;
Tee - Pineapple GCC; Jimmy - Cockatiel
As 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.
 
OP
L

Lui217

New member
Sep 3, 2021
6
0
Parrots
Conure
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
As 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.
Thank you it really is helpful all these comments from knowing nothing about it to everything basically. Thanks
 

ZoeyBear

Active member
Jul 27, 2021
204
Media
5
209
United states
Parrots
Zoey (GCC) R.I.P
R.I.P Skittles (GCC)
My GCC does that to her tail on the sides of her cage. so it seems to be pretty normal the bird looks healthy otherwise i would still suggest a vet checkup for him. and also make sure you have a full set up for him if you do take him home.
 

Most Reactions

Top