Amazon parrot attacking itself!!

[Dan1227]

I got my white fronted amazon 9 months ago. I’m not sure how old he is but he is an adult. Recently while he is playing with his toys inside of his cage he would grab his wing with his foot and bite his wing. I’m not sure what to do. He eats a mixture of 80% ZuPreem fruit blend pellets, 10% seeds (which is what his previous owner fed him) and 10% fresh fruit. I spend hours with him daily and I shower him everymorning. Today I made a step into making him a cage less parrot hoping that it would help. I have not seen him bite himself yet but, I just wanted to know if this has happened to one of your feathers friends or if you guys have suggestions on what I should do. Keep in mind that I’m a young teen and have a part time job so I can pay for my parrots stuff.

 

[finchly]

What a gorgeous bird!

Someone will come along and help you. I have smaller birds so I’m not much help. One thing I did notice is the diet. Your bird would really benefit from some fresh veggies, broccoli carrots, things like that. Just cut them up and offer them to him.

What is his name?

 

[Dan1227]

Thank you very much. I’ll make sure to cut offer him vegetables, his name is Cosmo.

 

[Clueless]

Cosmo is beautiful.

My amazons don't bite their wings but I have seen Secret groom her feet, toes, etc. and that can appear like biting.

I'm going to tag someone that has a lot of amazons @melissasparrots

 

[Macawnutz]

Some macaws will bite their wings or feet in play, most times it's harmless.

 

[Anita1250]

I have a 35 year old BFA. When he was a baby, he used to do that. He would even lie on his back and fight with his own feet. He would bite his wing as if it was another bird attacking him. He never caused any damage to anything. As he got older, he grew out of it. Sometimes, though, he will still fight with his feet. Almost as if they belong to another bird. I never really thought anything of it. I would think that it should be ok as long as Cosmo doesn't cause any real injuries to himself. Should that happen, I would take him to an Avian vet to check. Perhaps he may have some sort of itch that makes him bite the wing to scratch it. Good luck, Anita.

 

[webchirp]

Carlton does this...he generally doesn't hurt himself and it's very humorous to see when you know he isn't self harming.

 

[MahaSarah]

My Amazon Parrot sometimes does this when she is playing, she bites her legs when she is wrestling some toys haha.

 

[Dan1227]

Thank you all for taking the time and replying to me you guys calmed me down if anything serious happens I’ll take him to the vet ASAP.

 

[SpecialistElbru]

Recently while he is playing with his toys inside of his cage he would grab his wing with his foot and bite his wing. I'm not sure what to do.

We are assuming that when you said "bite his wing" you meant it is his wing feathers he is biting and not the fleshy part of his wing he is biting. Is this a correct assumption?

Biting feathers is part of preening behavior, sometimes parrots have unusual rituals when it comes to preening. When Cosmo bites his feathers are they still smooth and feather shaped? If so, then there is nothing to worry about. If after biting the feathers they are broken or mangled so as not to be flat, that is a problem known as "feather destructive behavior".

 

[Dan1227]

No, he is biting his actual wing not the feathers he even has a few ruffled wings where he is biting.

 

[Clueless]

@Macawnutz

I haven't seen anything like this on my amazons.

 

[Dan1227]

I know right, it’s so strange.

 

[webchirp]

You might want to take him in for a checkup if he hasn't had one recently...

 

[Macawnutz]

Checkup and video of the behavior.

 

[Dan1227]

I’m going to take him to the vet on Friday and for some reason it won’t let me upload the video

 

[Sweet Louise]

I hope you get some answers. Let us know what you find out. He is a gorgeous bird.

 

[Clueless]

I’m going to take him to the vet on Friday and for some reason it won’t let me upload the video

I know you mentioned you were a young teen, is the vet an avian vet?

Please keep us posted. Cosmo is lucky to have an owner that is concerned.

 

[Clueless]

Just another note, there are threads on here about certified avian vets.

Recommendations, how to find one, etc.

Bird Emergency Highway 911 | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

 

[Dan1227]

Yes the vet is an avian vet and thank you