Parrot losing hair on neck and chest area

[alizwarraich]

Hi y’all, I’m new to this community and just joined as I’m concerned about my ring neck parrot. She has lost a lot of hair around the neck and chest area such that her skin is clearly visible. I can also see some dark spots on her exposed skin but I don’t know what those are

Also, she has been with me since 20 months and I’ve seen some behavioural changes in her in the recent 6 months ever since I bought a male ring neck for her to play with. They stay in the same cage which is large enough for 2 parrots. The male parrot stays outside the cage for most of the time but the female comes out very less often. Before the male parrot, she would come out and play more often but now she doesn’t. They haven’t got along well even after being together for like 7 months. They’d still fight over the toys and food even when I have kept separate food trays for them

I’ll take her to the vet hospital next week which isn’t in my city but still I would appreciate if anybody can help. I’m attaching 2 of her current pictures

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to the forums, @alizwarraich, but I'm sorry you're having troubles with your IRN. I'm glad you're able to get her to a vet, I would recommend a visit, but beyond that I think you should look into housing them in separate cages. I once had a male and female cockatiel who I could never have caged together, not even for a short time, because the male got FAR too aggressive for the hen, and she needed her own space to be able to retreat to. I suspect the stress of having to share a cage may be too much for your hen, as you have mentioned that they fight over things like food and toys. This stress may be a factor in your hen plucking out her feathers, birds in the wild are able to get away from each other if they're not getting on so well, whereas your hen does not currently have this option available, so if it was me I would look into getting another cage just for her. They can still interact outside their cages, but I would supervise them there too, as you may find they could still be aggressive with each other, as was the case sometimes with my 'tiels.

I wish you the best of luck with your ringnecks, and please keep us updated with your progress and with your vet visit!

 

[alizwarraich]

Yeah this is one thing I can surely do, have her in a separate cage. Thanks for the reply

I’ll post update after visiting the vet

 

[LaManuka]

Yeah this is one thing I can surely do, have her in a separate cage. Thanks for the reply

I’ll post update after visiting the vet

You're most welcome, I hope it helps you and your IRN

 

[wrench13]

My personal opinion in this case is - the second parrot has upset the equilibrium of your Female and she is plucking and starting to actually chew on her flesh OR the male is doing this. Sorry but I would rehome the male ASAP. Get the vets opinion but thats my take on it. And do it soon so the plucking etc does not become a long term habit. Harsh - maybe? But she was there first, and this looks pretty severe.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Not all birds welcome the "friend" that was chosen for them and are happier alone. I agree with either separate cages (preferably separate rooms) or rehomimg the male. I know that I have to keep two of my male budgies in a separate room to fly because they are too sexually aggressive with the girls that fly in the main room and are also too aggressive with the docile male English budgies in the main room. They posture and chase them around the room and they don't want to come out when the "terrorists" are there. The English don't fly as well or as fast and I worry they may fly into something while being chased. It's our responsibility to only put birds together that enjoy each other's company or at least ignore each other. The stress of being uncomfortable in their environment can lead to serious illness or stress behaviors like plucking. I remember when I kept tropical fish if a fish was being picked on it was going to die from the stress so I would have to move one of them to another tank. In nature, an animal being picked on has the option of leaving, but we must intervene in captivity. Surely if someone has dogs or cats that seriously don't get along they would need to make sure the weaker one is safe both physically and psychologically.