Greenwing Advice

[Macawnutz]

No, I'm not.

But... I love when people flip out over uropygial glands because we can end their worry so fast.

As far as the feathers, your bird has two centers, not one. Even amounts on both sides for a total of twelve.

To make you feel better, I flipped because I noticed one of my hys did not have a uropygial gland. Then I checked the other and they both do not have one. It's a Hy thing.

 

[Monica]

And a lot of people flip out over a bird's ears or the empty space at the bottom of the beak!


I thought they had two "center" feathers! But then i had to stop and think, do all birds (who have defined "center" feathers - not like short tailed species) have two center feathers? lol

 

[Macawnutz]

Omg yes! The ear threads, my bird has a hole in their head! Never seen the beak one but I can see that being scary.

I nearly brought Maui to the vet for his tattoo. It looks like a huge bruise.

Wait, do any birds have one center? None of mine do. Amazons, Cockatoos, Macaws. The hys and the cockatoos don't have a preen gland.

 

[rocky'smom]

tiels do , I'll try to get picture later my 2 aren't talking to me right now.

 

[Macawnutz]

Do they?

Maybe I should double check my cockatoos before sticking my foot in my mouth. lol

 

[rocky'smom]

@Joey wade, Dr. Tony read thru the last 2 pages. he said to tell you that he has seen more panic over uropygial glands, one person show up at Birdy ER claiming that feather, that they brought with, fell out and left this giant hole in the bird's back. after explaining what the preen gland did and that the feather was just common tail feather. the guy was in tears laughing so hard. that was $400.00 ER visit.

 

[Monica]

OMGOSH!!! Poor guy! LOL


But yes, cockatiels have two as well!


Tomi Girl. First photo, her yellow center tail feather is behind her grey center tail feather.

Next photo. You can *barely* even see the center grey feather hiding behind the yellow center feather...

Found some great in flight shots of other peoples tiels that also showed the two centers.
All sizes | Cockatiel | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Cockatiel flying up photo - WP02153
Cockatiel, Quarrion Or Weiro (nymphicus Hollandicus) In Flight, In Stock Photo, Royalty Free Image: 21699923 - Alamy



I feel like we've just baffled each other unintentionally... lol just one of those things you don't always think about!

 

[Macawnutz]

I'm going to check my toos anyway but I'm sure they have two centers.

Your girl has unmatched centers Monica? Birthmark or something?

 

[Macawnutz]

Or oh, is that a pied thing?

 

[rocky'smom]

if I can get Bebe out of his cage (fat chance but I am trying) his center tail feathers are super long.

 

[Macawnutz]

Two centers AND a uropygial gland on my cockatoos! Guess I should never listen and always double check. I was told cockatoos don't have that gland, they do.

I'll double check my hys now but I did notice it myself.

 

[Monica]

Yes, she's a pied! And, because of that, she was assumed male! Not too many people are aware of other gender characteristics... (I knew she wasn't when I saw her...)



I think I've only heard for sure that some macaw and amazon species do not have a gland. I'm not sure if all cockatoos have a gland or not, though.



I just know that not all parrots have them, even if others in the same family do have them.

 

[Joey wade]

These replies make me feel less stupid. I am so thankful for this board.

I can't imagine a $400 vet bill just to say everything is normal. Pretty sure you can get a hip replacement done here for that price.

 

[rocky'smom]

every bird parront worry to some extent. Dr. Tony said that even he worries about Happy, his GW right. she is in eggie mood and is sitting on 5 right this very minute. she is more his wife's bird and he said that wife can handle the bird but if he gets close, Happy gets very upset.

 

[aooratrix]

My bird knowledge goes to zero if it's one of my kids. It's normal...and nerve-wracking.

 

[Hankmacaw]

It once cost me $278 dollars and a 200mi. round trip to learn not to feed H&J yogurt as long as they would eat it - they liked it and anything for my babies The day after stupidly indulging them, they were both dumpy and had terrible poops. I put them in the car and rushed to the Dr. - he looked them over and said you gave them a tummy ache. Education is expensive.

 

[Joey wade]

Expensive indeed. I am very lucky to have cheap vets here. Wish they were more specialized, but it's nice to just pay a few dollars for medicines, X-rays, pulled feathers and other simple stuff.

As a side note. I was taking some Christmas pics today and Vader flew (more like glided) across the room today from his perch to my arm. It was incredible!

 

[Hankmacaw]

Vader is looking like a real macaw now. Your B&G is a beauty.

 

[rocky'smom]

he is a big boy now, they are both beautiful.

 

[rocky'smom]

@Joey wade, knowing that you are teacher and in all boys school you might like this site for stuff for the little boys there. the lady that write this blog in a local in MN. she does some of these on TV once week. it's all science from the kitchen.

The Kitchen Pantry Scientist