Cockatiel feather plucking (scratching with beak) back feathers

[michbird]

A while ago she was laying dozen eggs but she has stopped. I'm now seeing her scratching (with her beak) the back feathers mostly.

I think it's called "feather plucking" but she's not bald or have bare skin. I have seen some feathers on the floor and on the cage. And, one or two feathers still on her body sticking a little bit up instead of flat probably from doing this.

Today, I took her outside to enjoy the weather and get some Vitamin D from the sun, as I heard this may be helpful. She didn't do this behavior while outside and I bathe her a little bit and cleaned the bottom of the cage with the hose. She has a cuttlebone that she is still going at it. I'm not sure if the cuttlebone still works but I'm guessing yes (It has two colors).

Shall I get her toys? I was thinking of a ladder or anything good for a cockatiel.

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

yes get some toys some shreaders may help

 

[Birdbabe]

And try to mist her or get her to bathe, dry skin is itchy skin.

 

[michbird]

With just water? and is there any place recommended to buy toys / shreaders at a good price online?
Sometimes I don't find a lot of selection at the local pet stores.

 

[Animallover03]

The vendors here on AA probably have what you are looking for

 

[sunnysmom]

Is she just preening? Cockatiels spend a lot of time preening. And toys would be great. There are a lot of vendors here that make wonderful toys. If you go under the Marketplace section they're listed there.

 

[michbird]

Yes preening! That's the term I was looking for. I don't know if it's just preening or itch.
In case it's something like bird mites what can I use?

I'll check out the Marketplace section and get her toys.

 

[sunnysmom]

Yes preening! That's the term I was looking for. I don't know if it's just preening or itch.
In case it's something like bird mites what can I use?

I'll check out the Marketplace section and get her toys.

It's very uncommon for non-aviary birds to have mites, and over the counter mite medicine can actually be deadly. A woman from another forum actually lost her birds by using it. Also, birds should only be treated for mites if they definitely have them- it's not a preventative thing like dogs with fleas- and should be treated by a vet. A way to tell is to put white paper on the bottom of a tiel's cage at night. In the morning, if there are little specks on the paper it could be mites. My guess is your bird is just doing normal preening. A bath once or twice a week with water can help keep their feathers nice. Either misting or letting them bathe in some shallow water.

 

[michbird]

It's probably not that then