Single Red Flight Feather

[Aidenwb]

I recently took in a 2 year old black capped conure. We opted to clip in wings for the time being to allow it to settle in a bond without flying all over the house. When we were doing so we noticed that he had a single red flight feather, with the rest being the normal dark green. Any idea what would've cause him to develop 1 red flight feather or is its cause for concern?

 

[Shezbug]

There is sometimes color changes with certain illnesses. @Hankmacaw or @Macawnutz will either know more or be able to tag someone else in to help you with more information.

 

[Aidenwb]

Thanks. I've read that sometimes fatty liver disease can cause pigment changes and since he's 2 and the previous owners fed only seed I wouldn't be surprised. Thankfully we've corrected the diet to pellets, fruit/veggies, beans, and quinoa and the new flight feather that's come up since we've had him is normal coloured.

 

[webchirp]

Picure? If it's liver, the feather I've seen are an off color red. Not the vibrant color you might see on his shoulders.

 

[Hankmacaw]

If you have any suspicion that he has a liver problem, put him on Milk Thistle immediately. The feathers I've seen effected by liver disease are very dark brown or black - so I don't know about the red feather. The red feather could very well have been just an anomaly - my bird has weird colored feathers come in some times and it could have been from and injury.

You have corrected his diet, so with some supportive liver Milk Thistle and time the condition should be corrected.

 

[Hankmacaw]

Here is the bible on livers in avians;

http://avianmedicine.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20.pdf

 

[Aidenwb]

Where would I get milk thistle? I can get him on this right away.

 

[Hankmacaw]

This is the Milk Thistle I've used for years and my Vet approved it.

Amazon.com: Milk Thistle, Alcohol-Free, 2,000 mg, 1 fl oz (30 ml): Health & Personal Care

 

[Aidenwb]

How much would a small conure like that need? And is it best to give orally or on food?

 

[Hankmacaw]

A couple of drops per day - every day - I always prefer giving by syringe, but on food or in the water will work.

 

[Mizzely]

Could be genetic too.

 

[Monica]

My mitred conure had a tail feather that was half red, half green a couple of years ago. They are supposed to be completely green with an olive undertone to the bottoms. He's 25 this year and after he molted the feather it came back in perfectly normal.

It could be due to a health issue, or just a random abnormality. Bloodwork would have the best chance of explaining anything if it might be health related. I've also heard of hormones causing abnormal colored feathers.