We’ve talked about the differences between molting, preening, and plucking in a post found here.
Molting is misunderstood and usually viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.
We have 10 birds in our home.
That means they’re going to shed between 50,000 and 70,000 feathers combined, annually!
Feathered factoid: Ducks have 10,000 or more feathers and swans have upwards of 12,000+.
Editors note: In the featured image above, Barney was obsessing with the other bird in the mirror as Catherine observed.
We have since blocked access to that part of the mirror and Barney has become far more social (less hormonal). Endnote
One of the reasons we are able to stay in business going up against the likes of Amazon and Chewy is that we answer the phone and can provide useful advice.
And although PetSmart and Petco will answer the phone on a national or store level, good luck with getting information about proper care for your white-capped Pionus.
There is been a definite uptick of calls and emails seeking advice for birds exhibiting bad hormonal behavior.
Stacy T writes:
My bird is a plucker and your recent article about lighting is something I’d like to try.
I’m not sure what full-spectrum light to purchase as he has a cage that has a solid play top.
Before I share Versele-Laga’s story, if you’re a fan of all-natural Goldenfeast or Higgins (where all the seed and nut blends contain InTune pellets) you may have noticed this logo appearing on bags (see featured image at top).
I have 2 questions.
I have a cockatiel that a friend gave to me.
When I first got it, there were clearly dark bars on the underside of the tail feathers.
Yellow-headed Amazon (aka the Yellow-headed Parrot and the Double Yellow-headed Amazon) Lupe asks My yellow-headed Amazon (Chelsie) has been seeing a vet for feather plucking since Feb. We have done…
From a Facebook fan last night
I’ve got a Catalina macaw that has a problem of plucking, I took her to the vet, she has a clean bill of health, now if anyone can help with the feather plucking problem, I would appreciate it, Thanks
From a customer on the West Coast during a phone call this week
“My 14-year-old lovebird began to pluck for no reason at all.
We have him on the best foods we can provide like Harrison’s pellets but we had to put a collar on her to stop the feather loss.
Nothing has changed in her life and she is fully flighted”
Yes I have another question for you, my green-cheek conure seems to be molting all the time and he’s lost the two big red feathers in the tail and I can feel the feathers under his skin in between his back and wing feathers is this normal or is he short on calcium he will not touch a cuttlebone or any calcium bone to rub down his nails or beak so I have two perches, that are rough, he is a year and a half old, already really molted.
Thank you very much! Jane
Hello, knowing of your holistic approach to things here is a synopsis of our bird and situation. We have an 11 1/2 yr old Goffins Cockatoo, Taedo ( we have had him since 2008 when he was 3 mths). We did have him sexed and know he is a male.
I Have An African Grey And A Triton Cockatoo.
I hand fed both and have had the Grey since 1985 and the Cockatoo since 1987.
They are housed separately in AE birdcages and I have perches around the house for them to move to as I work around.
Both are female.
My Gray has begun acting strange.