Signs of aging in Amazons

[MalkieBear]

We have a White-fronted Amazon of indeterminate age. He was rescued one early December morning in 1987, found clutching to the rapidly cooling engine of a motorcycle on the means streets of Canadian Gotham. He's been in the family for 21 years. Today, his feathers are a pretty sad sight. An African Grey we had plucked most of the feathers off of his head and neck, but many are growing back since the AG found a more suitable home (he was a nasty biter - but has settled miraculously in his new home - go figure). WFA's feathers look pretty awful. There is no sheen to them, his bib looks sooty, and he's been in a constant state of molt for about 3 years now. Have not found a vet in new rural city, but suspect that expert advice might be appropriate. Long story longer... are there definite signs of aging in a parrot in terms of their appearance? I have read about obesity, decreased activity, stroke, cancer, etc., but cannot find any information on visible signs of aging. WFA is still a pretty feisty little SOB, and has fallen in love with my 18 yr old cat to the point that I cannot touch her without WFA going mental and attacking me. He tries to feed her, an act which, understandably disgusts cat. Any info would be most appreciated.

 

[TexDot33]

I would suspect some sort of vitamin deficiency in this situation. Please add leafy green veggies to your birdy's diet if not already present (kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, carrot tops, AVOID: Spinach and iceburg lettuce ... )

Yes, an avian vet is a MUST in this situation!!

I will look into outward signs of aging ... I am not sure about this one.

 

[Tracy842]

Get to a vet ASAP. Maybe a vitamin A deficincy. I know it makes feet and beaks look horrible and can be hard to reverse so the sooner the better.

 

[NicoleN]

Normally I do not agree with adding supplements to a birds water, food, or even bath water, but I am in a similar situation with one of my Amazons. He was a rescue from a bad situation and he was in good feather when i got him, but over the past few months they have turned brown. I thought they could be stress marks, but my vet confirmed that they were from nutrition deficiency (which blows my mind b/c the other one is in perfect feather).

The point of this, is that my vet suggested I start adding a supplement called Nekton-Bio to his fresh foods, just sprinkle it on each meal. There won't be any changes until he goes through a molt, but it's worth a shot.

I agree with Tex and Tracy though about also seeing a vet. It's always good to discuss changes in your birds diet with a vet.

 

[K C's Mom]

sounds like Vitamin A deficincy my Kaylee is going through that now and she is a year old, she isn't or has never been a seed junkie I always gave her fruits and veggies just not enough greens and different types of veggies also she was eating way to much goldenfeast food so no more goldenfeast , from now on tons of all sorts of veggies and organic pellets and no seeds except maybe a nutriberry twice a week, also going to start her on Nekton-Bio vitamins I hear they are fanstics vitamins and great for their feathers
her feathers had a few black spots in them but I will not notice a change until her next molt