My conure is losing flight feathers

[Dunny]

My green cheek conure ITSY has lost all her blue flight feathers on the left side. Seems like a couple at a time for a week or 2. She usually flies to me across the room and now seems to have trouble with flying. Should I take her to the vet? The nearest bird vet is 45 minutes away. Please help if you have any advice.
-Jim & Patrice (humans)
-Dunny and Itsy (conures)

 

[wrench13]

Well of course during molting, all feathers are replaced, but gradually. And they are molted evenly, meaning one on each side, progressively. If your bird has lost all flights only on one wing that is cause for concern and I should think a vet visit an excellent idea.

 

[onamom]

If she's not young and just learning to fly as they grow in for the first time - I'd take her to the vet for a check! Sometimes they can be clumsy when learning to fly and can break them. But losing all on one side does seem unusual.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I've had this happen with my budgies. One wing loses so many flight feathers they have difficulty flying. You can see a vet or wait a couple weeks and watch for new feathers coming in. If not then go to the vet.

 

[Dunny]

She's 8 years young. She still has a good appetite, active and no weight loss. She usually flies to me without issue. I know about molting but as mentioned, didn't think it was normal to lose all feathers on one side. The last 4 or so were on the floor this morning. They all look healthy to me, much like the other molted feathers when she molted one or two. However, there is one with a little blood on its tip. She is not and was not bleeding this morning. I have not seen her plucking.

Thank you all for your responses!

I'm waiting on a vet call-back. I think I will give her a couple more days and check for feather growth and any weight, appetite, or activity loss.

 

[rheashard2]

A vet is a good idea. It'll help rule out problems. Birds molt gradually and evenly.