Urgent Macaw plucking pin feathers, but acting normal.

[rygby07]

Please help me out! I have a green-winged macaw I have owned for 5 years now. After his most recent molt I noticed that some of his feathers weren’t growing back in some places. I later noticed that every now and then when grooming himself, he would pull out a pin feather and eat it. Nothing in his environment or diet has changed, and he is still acting completely normal. He’s given a shower every few days, he plays and interacts with his toys, he is still very talkative, but I don’t understand why he is doing this.

I can‘t see a vet til a few more days.

My macaw is 31 years old and he had plucked under his wings before I got him, but it still had stopped about 15-20 years ago. Could it possibly be an old habit coming back? Or is it likely a disease? I am very careful to mot use chemicals and scents around him and I leave an air purifier going at all times.

He is on a Zupreem fruit blend and gets fruits, nuts, and veggies often.

 

[Macawnutz]

Often a very simple bacterial infection can cause them enough discomfort for them to do this. Even if you can't get in a for a few days you need to make an appointment with the vet to rule out any infection. Get a CBC and a fecal gram stain. If it's been over a year you should also get a chem panel done. That will give you answers to know what your next steps are.

 

[rygby07]

That makes me feel more at ease to know. Thank-you so much and I will most defiantly ask the vet of they can run those tests. I have him for an appointment on Tuesday with a new vet and I’m hoping that they will be able to provide those things. (The usual vet I take him to can’t see him until another 2 weeks)

 

[Macawnutz]

As long as the new vet sees macaws often I think you are good. Nothing worse than a vet not familiar with handling a large male macaw.

Let us know how it goes. If your sweetie is healthy we can look at other things.

 

[rygby07]

Agreed. Will do, again thank-you so much for your help!