Macaw doesn't preen tail feathers

[f3ath3rs2]

Summer's a lazy preener.

She is getting a new tail feather now and as soon as I start preening it she gives me this look like "FINALLY MOM!!!!!" and sticks her butt in my face.

Too funny! Boy do they have us trained!
Anytime I try to help Monster, she screams and tries to run away, convinced I'm taking her whole tail off.

 

[Stevo]

The only tail feather preening with large macaws, that I have seen, has been via allopreening from another macaw.

 

[Holiday]

The only tail feather preening with large macaws, that I have seen, has been via allopreening from another macaw.

That makes sense, Steve. Great pic, too! There are some feathers on that tail that they do have trouble reaching. Of course, some they can reach--Elvis preens the sheath off as it grows in on some of the tail feathers, but with others, she just lets it go. It's the bigger ones that she seems to have the most trouble with.

 

[Billie Faye]

Steve I have a couple of birds do that also
Gus, B&G, doesn't preen his tail feathers and he is the ONLY one of my macaws who doesn't...He HATES to have them touched...I really think he was mistreated over the years by a man...or right after the man's wife died...he has been with me almost two years now and I'm finally able to get them preened with out his panicing...You would NOT believe the dried blood inside the sheath I found when I first started to preen them a couple of months after he came to me...I was really shocked!

 

[Jacqi]

Haven't come across the issue of a new tail feather w/ Tiki, but all other pins, including those on her face, she sits happily, quietly for removal.

Still doesn't like the full bath. Nope, nope, nope. & I'm beginning to think she only likes spraying so she can try to drink from the nozzle. She runs from the spray, but then runs back towards it at an angle to try to get a drink WITHOUT getting her whole body wet.

 

[Ladyredwingrider]

Mozart wants to be showered every morning after breakfast.