African grey losing down feathers. Wasn't a good look, she was on a poor diet when we got her.

African grey losing down feathers However, one common issue that many African Grey owners face is the problem of feather plucking. Feather loss can have several different causes. Time of Year African Greys Molt An African grey will usually shed feathers organically in the spring (breeding season) when the weather is warm. Apr 25, 2023 · Signs of old age in parrots include reduced feather quality, overgrown claws, skin imperfections, inappetence, weight loss, less energy, poor posture, muscle wastage, irritability, and lethargy. Feb 17, 2025 · Is your bird losing feathers? Learn what’s normal during molting, when to worry, and how to keep your bird comfortable. Get expert vet advice. Aging and elderly parrots are likelier to develop degenerative health conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and kidney failure. In this article, we will explore some of the common reasons why African Grays may When I got my Grey, she lost all her head feathers and looked like Dr Phil. Dec 14, 2023 · Here are the reasons why a parrot’s feathers may change color: Maturity A juvenile parrot’s feathers will change color as it grows and molts its down feathers. There can be numerous underlying causes for this behavior, including stress, boredom, poor diet, fungal infections, and My African grey parrot is losing feathers and is nearly totally bald apart from the head JA: I'll do all I can to help. Sep 15, 2023 · African Gray Parrots are known for their striking plumage and engaging personalities. What starts as mild feather loss can rapidly progress to permanent feather destruction, beak deformities, and eventually death if left Environmental enrichment and mental stimulation can help reduce stress and prevent feather plucking in African grey parrots. Jul 18, 2017 · From Cockatoos to African Greys, pet parrots have been a favourite throughout the world for countless years. These are the common reasons for African greys to pluck their feathers. Feather Plucking The plucking of feathers is a typical symptom in African Grey Parrots. How Hard is Molting For an African Grey Molting can be a challenging time for African Grey parrots. Caring for your Parrot’s feathers, Dot Schwarz reveals more about how our Parrot’s work, how to care for them and more. Molting removes old and damaged feathers, allowing strong and vibrant replacements to replace them. They may also pick their feathers when they’re ill. Feather loss can also be a natural and seasonal process in African grey parrots, so it’s important to monitor the overall health and behavior of your bird. If you have the time, money, and patience, raising a parrot can be a very fulfilling experience. Her feathers look droopy and she’s constantly itching herself and looks uncomfortable when itching. In an attempt to help Zeus, I’ve researched- and I’m finding that feather plucking in any parrot comes down to 3 basic causes: 1) medical reasons, 2) psychological reasons or 3) environmental causes. When did you first notice the African gray was losing her feathers? Customer: yesterday Veterinarian's Assistant: Is her skin bumpy or itchy as well? Customer: not that i can see. Excessive feather picking is a common ailment in African grey parrots. Feather plucking refers to the condition in which a bird excessively pulls at its own feathers, causing discomfort and damage to its plumage. As these soft, fluffy feathers are shed, they’ll be replaced with bright, strong, and sleek adult feathers. Signs of an Unhappy African Grey Signs of an unhappy African Grey can include decreased appetite, feather picking or plucking, decreased vocalization, and increased aggression or biting. Undoubtedly, their exotic physical appearance is a factor in why they are so popular and it can be alarming when your pet parrot starts to shed its feathers. Loss of feathers and skin disorders can be signs of a local disorder (that is, one that only involves the skin or feathers), or they can be signs of general, system-wide disease. Feb 16, 2023 · If you take a look at your African grey’s tail after the molt you’ll see that end of baby tail feathers kind of almost look smudged or black. The resulting dust What I do know is that plucking is common in African Grey (AG) parrots. Jul 21, 2022 · My African Grey Timney has been rubbing the back of his neck with one of his toys, which I guess feels good, but it has broken off a lot of his neck feathers on the back of his head. It’s caused by a circovirus and primarily targets the immune system, feathers, and beak. However, if you’ve noticed that your African Gray is losing feathers, it can be a cause for concern. So, if you’re a proud owner of one of these magnificent birds or considering adding one to your household, keep reading to learn more about their health and how to keep them happy and healthy. Losing feathers is a common problem among African greys. I took that one down and he found another toy to rub the back of his Chest feather loss in African Grey parrots often results from natural molting, where old feathers shed and new ones grow within protective sheaths. Monitor for signs of stress or skin irritation, which may indicate plucking or infection. African Greys are highly intelligent birds and need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. It could simply be a perfectly natural molt, or it could be down to parasites. So, if you have an African grey parrot, you are probably wondering why do African greys pluck their feathers? Aug 4, 2023 · Discover common African Grey Parrot health issues and effective prevention tips to keep your feathered friend thriving. Skin and feather disorders are among the most common health problems seen in pet birds. A common presentation of birds with feather destructive behaviour is a normally feathered head with a complete lack of feathers on the rest of the body as seen in this African grey parrot. This seems like an odd place for a plucker to pull their feathers from (all the cases I've heard from were chest and leg feathers being plucked). As for the general question of how long plucked feathers take to grow back: down and contour feathers (like the ones found on a bird's chest) can fully regrow within a month. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease are other possibilities; or the parrot may be plucking itself - or being plucked by its cage-mates. Any suggestions ???? Oct 18, 2025 · If your African grey parrot is plucking out its feathers, then you’re probably concerned about your bird’s health. she does itch a bit Veterinarian's Assistant: And what's the African gray's name and Jan 7, 2023 · African Grey parrots can pluck their feathers, which can seriously affect the bird’s health and well-being. We took them both to an avian vet who told us the bird whose feathers are falling out had a vitamin deficiency so we have been stepping up both their pellets and we are giving them avian vitamins (as suggested by the vet). Have you noticed that your African grey parrot is losing feathers? Aug 7, 2025 · If you've noticed symptoms of psittacine beak and feather disease in your African grey parrot, like feather loss, digestive issues, beak abnormalities, or listlessness, it's important that you take it to see a vet. Learn how to help your parrot thrive today! Oct 22, 2017 · Hi, I've had my African Grey for over 6 months now (she's 9 months old) and she just started pulling our tail and wing feathers. Definitely go to the vet, or at least call one. Dec 29, 2020 · My African grey has been over preening and I find a lot of down like feathers on the floor (not big ones). Is your African Grey losing feathers, not plucking or molting? A DVM explains potential causes like diet, environment, and health issues. 2. These include changes in behavior, such as excessive sleeping or loss of appetite, as well as physical symptoms like labored breathing or fluffed-up feathers. How Do I Know if My African Grey Is Dying If you suspect your African Grey parrot is dying, there are a few signs to look out for. Dec 24, 2023 · Feathers are made of beta keratin (β-keratin), so they’ll experience natural wear and tear. Picture it as a slow-motion feather explosion, with your Grey looking slightly ragged around the edges for a few weeks. In some cases, it can be due to poor nutrition or a lack of environmental stimulation. Oct 30, 2017 · Usually downy feathers in healthy parrots are used to stay warm in a cool environment. Feather plucking can result from a variety of factors, including stress, boredom, starvation, or medical issues like mites or allergies. Seek expert guidance now! In this short article, we will explore some common African Grey Parrot health issues and how to identify and treat them. The birds often do it in response to feeling stressed, depressed, and unstimulated. Duster birds like cockatoos, African greys and cockatiels have down that disintegrates. Oct 31, 2024 · This involves shedding feathers throughout their body, with a focus on wing and tail feathers last. Customer: My African Grey is loosing the downy type feathers around her neck Veterinarian's Assistant: I'll do all I can to help. The various causes are outlined below. When did you first notice the African gray was losing feathers? Customer: Abiut 4-5 weeks agob JA: Is the African gray's skin bumpy or itchy as well? Customer: Not really JA: And what's the African gray's name and age? Customer: Rio. Hines’ Wildlife Care Articles To learn more about why some parrots pull out their own feathers, go here To learn more about parrot nutrition go here Feathers are a bird’s most precious possession – beautiful and May 15, 2025 · Discover the causes of feather plucking in African greys, from stress and poor diet to illness and boredom. If you want your African grey to stop picking its feathers, treat Is your African Grey experiencing crop swelling, clicking sounds, or feather picking? A certified Vet Tech explains potential causes like infection or impaction. Jun 16, 2023 · What Causes Loss of Balance in Parrots? A parrot showing signs of wobbliness or clumsiness may have a health issue. These are small plumes with brush-like tips that break up into a fine white powder, which the bird then disperses through its plumage as a conditioner. All About Your Parrot’s Feathers The Causes of Molt, Feather Problems And What You Can Do About Them Ron Hines DVM PhD Is This A Wild Bird? If So, This Links To All Of Dr. Feather Cysts Nov 29, 2015 · Discolorations – Feather discolorations, such as black tips on feathers, or the appearance of feathers that are not part of the normal coloration of your parrot species (such as a yellow feather on an eclectus where there should be a green or red feather) are problems that are almost always dietary in nature. The down feathers of most parrots are a mixture of whites and greys. Feathers play a crucial role in a parrot ‘s well-being, helping with temperature regulation, flight, and communication. However, in many cases, feather-plucking is caused by stress. Dec 7, 2024 · Feathers 襁 loss treatment and cure in big Parrots by @fazal_s_exotics This African Grey lost the flying feather and tail #africangreycare #africangreyparrot #bigparrots #parrotsdiet #birdknowledge. If your bird is healthy he or she will only lose a couple of feathers from each side of the body at a time. If your African grey is losing feathers, there are several things you can do to help it feel better and stop plucking. Get expert tips to help your bird now!. Feather Plucking or Feather Picking Feather plucking or feather picking is one of the most common health problems observed in African grey parrots. He's not plucking or anything of the sort. Feb 16, 2023 · However, one of the birds has been losing her feathers and it is getting worse. Feather plucking is a harmful behavior where the bird pulls out its own feathers, leading to bald patches and potential skin damage. If you have noticed this African Grey parrots are known for their intelligence, charm, and ability to mimic human speech. I'm not really sure 3. Learn about diet, enrichment, and veterinary care! Customer: I have a 4 year old African Grey parrott - Under his neck down his chest he's losing feathers - He eats well & exercises reguraly - This has been happening for a while now. Common Health Issues in African Grey Parrots Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) PBFD is one of the most serious viral infections that can affect African Greys. Modified plumes known as powder down feathers are found on the flanks of many species, notably African grey parrots, Cockatiels, and white Cockatoos. It happens when a parrot takes out its feathers excessively, resulting in bald patches or damaged plumage. This behavior can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress May 19, 2023 · Natural remedies such as behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and nutritional supplements can help stop feather plucking in african grey parrots. A parrot will detect the change in temperature and Figure 1. Possibilities include: Ear Infections It’s common for parrots to have ear infections. 10 years old JA: Is there anything else Mar 6, 2022 · Why do African Greys pluck their feathers? Well, African Greys pluck their feathers when they’re depressed, stressed, unstimulated, or suffering from any illness. Wasn't a good look, she was on a poor diet when we got her. This behavior is characterized by the bird plucking out its own feathers, leading to feather loss and skin irritation. The auricular feathers hide parrots’ ears, shielding them from dirt, dust, rainwater, bugs, and air turbulence. fvlz 4wejj k8ssvo t4cp efmm odms fax uqcx f8kc94 mopdkykmg