Weird stick like feathers on Alexandrine?

[drippa]

Hi, I have 2 alexandrine parrots and there seems to be pine feathers growing on the head and wing areas, is this normal? they are both 2 years old

Also, the second one has very bad feathers, and very many white fluffy ones instead of green ones, ill make a second thread about that one later though.

 

[Flboy]

Oh, Oh, Oh! I know this one! Pin feathers! When feathers first grow, they are encased in a tube! Depending on your fid, she may let you crack them, but they can be painful at first! You will see them help each other in the grooming!

 

[PerfectPrideBengals]

If the feathers open up normally later, then it's just normal feather growth. If they are deformed however, you might want to do a blood test for PBFD. Psittacine Beak and Feather disease. It is a very contagious virus that affects a lot of wild birds in Australia and is easy to pick up at bird shows here in the US.

 

[clark_conure]

When you shower put a towel over the rail/door and have birds perch o steam them, or make sure they get regular baths, it should open up the pin feathers easier.