Molting

[Billy29]

At what age or time of season would you expect a baby amazon to molt? Just curious.

 

[torrap]

Sorry, I don't know about the baby, but I can show you what to look forward to.....
Both my Zons are molting right now. Their down feathers are everywhere.
Here are 2 pictures, one is of what Marley left here and there for me to pick up (in the last 2 weeks or so), the other is of just few of her feathers that are the most beautiful. Pictures don't do justice to these feathers, they have so many colors in them and they are iridescent also.

Molting Photos by minsk80 | Photobucket

Simba has her own collection. Colors are about the same, but Marley's tail is longer, so her tail feathers are longer and slimmer, Simba's are shorter and wider.

 

[henpecked]

In the wild they would molt about twice a year, a major and minor molt. Because we keep them inside their biological clock gets a bit off kilter. It's hard to predict exactly when our pets will molt.Things like diet, length of day, humidity, etc. will have some effect on molting. I'd expect a minor molt at about 8 months and another at maybe 14 months. Of course plucked feathers (missing feathers) could be replace at any time.(more so with flight feathers than contour feathers)

 

[Yve]

My amazon, Taino, molts about once a year around August to September. Right now am very concerned about one of his ceres--his left cere is a bit swollen.

 

[Yve]

Swollen cere

I am concerned with my parrot, Taino. His left cere seems to be swollen. He has been eating and playing as usual. No changes in his mood. I am not sure if his cere was bit by a mosquito or a red ant. We live in the country and there are nasty little insects everywhere. A good avian vet is difficult to come by around here. We would have to travel a good hour or so to get to one. I am closely monitoring his disposition and if the cere does not improve then off to a vet we will go. Any advise? Thanks in advance.

 

[henpecked]

Hey Yve , you should start your own thread here in the amazon section.

 

[Yve]

This is the first time for me. Am still learning how to do this. Thanks.