Molting questions

[LouieTheBirdsDad]

I have a yellow sided green checked conure that I have had for over a year but I have some questions on molting. It started about four five maybe six months ago he started to what I thought was molting. He would lose feathers and a pin feather would replace it but recently he had lost one of his primary flight feathers but the one on his other wing is still there and I have read they lose them two at a time. He is very healthy. He is on a pellet diet and get veggies and fruits everyday. He also has a bath bowl that I refill everyday.
Thanks

 

[EllenD]

If he was under a year old when he started the heavy molt a few months ago, then that was probably his first really big molt. He's going to do that at least once a year, along with molting feathers hear and there. As far as the flight feather goes, it's very possible that he either molted just one of them, or he knocked it out somehow, they do that as well, especially with flight and tail feathers. It will grow back in a couple of months...

 

[LouieTheBirdsDad]

Thank you for your help.

 

[MonicaMc]

From what I've noticed, if a bird molts out #6 on one wing, then they'll molt out #5 or #7 on the other... not the exact feather on the other side.


As long as there are no bald spots or obviously destroyed feathers, it's probably normal.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Good for you for reaching out. Great input above.
Do you have a certified avian vet? Most of us swear by ours! Here's a link.
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
Regular vets often "wing it" with birds, although some are very dedicated and skilled.

Welcome!