Shedding, Molting, or a bigger issue?

[HeadlessH00ligan]

hello!
so, this is link ( aka littles ), my almost 2 year old black capped conure. he’s very adorable and i love him to bits.
however, im concerned. yesterday, in the span of my work shift (2pm to 7pm ), he has been picking his feathers and revealing his gray downy feathers. he was totally fine yesterday morning before i went into work, and i came home to him looking like this in these photos.
the thing is, the birds were at the vet just 2 days go, and the vet checked him and his flock mates over, and said they look perfectly fine. she did not do any grain test or anything, just looked them all over and weighed them.
i’m literally typing this at 3am, im very worried. if someone knows what’s going on, please tell me ..
thank you

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

this is what he looks like normally, by the way ( he’s next to his girlfriend )

 

[Jcas]

Will he allow you to part the feathers and look for new quills coming in? That would be a definite sign that he’s molting. I hope that’s all your boy has going on; he sure is a handsome guy!

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

Will he allow you to part the feathers and look for new quills coming in? That would be a definite sign that he’s molting. I hope that’s all your boy has going on; he sure is a handsome guy!

when looking at them, i do not see any pin feathers or any bare spots. he also seemed to only pick at the spots in the images ( on his legs and in his top left side of his chest ). he is eating and drinking fine, as well

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wish our birds knew how much they upset us when they do things like this! I'd call your vet and tell them what's going on. Since he didnt have this probelm when you brought him to the vet a few days ago maybe he should be looked at again. Were there a lot of feathers on the cage floor when you noticed this?

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

I wish our birds knew how much they upset us when they do things like this! I'd call your vet and tell them what's going on. Since he didnt have this probelm when you brought him to the vet a few days ago maybe he should be looked at again. Were there a lot of feathers on the cage floor when you noticed this?

i know, i really wish i knew what goes on behind those eyes..
yeah, he was just checked over and confirmed to be okay..and the vet is closed this weekend sadly. there were a lot of undamaged feathers at the bottom of his cage

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would call your vet Monday. Give him a bath this weekend. Maybe his skin is dry. If he won't splash around in water use a spray bottle.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

I would call your vet Monday. Give him a bath this weekend. Maybe his skin is dry. If he won't splash around in water use a spray bottle.

noted, thank you

 

[rheashard2]

Also determine if there's a change around him. Maybe loud noises, music, construction etc while you weren't around. Some birds aren't tolerant of noises or changes. Even relocating a perch can cause negative behavior. The vet can verify that no skin or parasites.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I know Gardia (sp?) can cause itching that leads to picking under the wings and on the belly. However, your vet would have caught them when you went to the vet. Hrrrrm.... Strange mystery.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Giardia.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Giardia.

Thanks! It's one of those words I don't know how to spell, but can pick it out in a lineup, LOL

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I only know because my sister's new new puppy he has it so I looked it up to tell her more about it.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

I know Gardia (sp?) can cause itching that leads to picking under the wings and on the belly. However, your vet would have caught them when you went to the vet. Hrrrrm.... Strange mystery.

yeah..it’s very unfortunate that he started doing this the day after the vet visit

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

Giardia.

i looked this up..it’s contagious. both of my other birds, including his girlfriend, are constantly near him, and they all seem fine. plus, as i’m writing this, littles is playing with a bottle cap and seeming totally fine…i’m totally baffled

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Do you have any other pets in the house (dogs or cats)? They can be infected by Giardia too. So can humans.
No one can say your bird has Giardia without a poop exam. It's just a possibility. Don't worry. If your birds have it it's treatable.