Hi Everyone. I have a 10 year old maroon bellied conure named Mini. I've been lurking here for a while, but haven't posted much and am not sure where this post belongs.
Over the past few months Mini's behavior has been changing a little. While always super friendly with me, Mini has been more and more clingy - wanting to be on the back of my neck snuggling all the time. (I don't mind this at all
Along with the snuggling, Mini has been making new sounds. They're very cute - little cooing sounds, and lower sighing kinds of things - in addition to the usual clucking, and kissy sounds. These sounds have been increasing more and more - to the point that I almost always hear Mini making some kind of little sound, on me or in the cage.
And along with all of this, he's been plucking. This started a few years ago, and has come and gone. Right now there is a bare patch on his chest and another behind one of his wings, and his legs are pretty bare.
I just got back from two weeks away. The plucking is always worse when I'm gone. My husband was home with him, but even so, it seems like he gets bored when I'm gone and plucks. Now that I'm back, he has been sleeping ALL day - with his head behind his wing, sometimes on one leg - sometimes both, and looking pretty puffed up. I wouldn't say he looks like a pine cone, but the feathers aren't laying smooth and sleek either. It is a warm day - and I am exhausted from my trip - maybe he's just sympathetic?
On the one hand he just seems relaxed, but then again, I'm not used to seeing him sleep so much. He is eating well - lots of carrots and apples today along with pellets and some seeds. He took a bath this morning, and also had a little time in the shower with my husband. His poops seem normal.
I have called our avian vet to try to get an appointment tomorrow - we were planning on having blood work done this summer anyway, so I figure we can just do it now. Do I need to be more concerned than that? There isn't a great emergency avian vet where I am so if it can wait until I can get in to see our regular guy I'd prefer that.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Cecily
Over the past few months Mini's behavior has been changing a little. While always super friendly with me, Mini has been more and more clingy - wanting to be on the back of my neck snuggling all the time. (I don't mind this at all
Along with the snuggling, Mini has been making new sounds. They're very cute - little cooing sounds, and lower sighing kinds of things - in addition to the usual clucking, and kissy sounds. These sounds have been increasing more and more - to the point that I almost always hear Mini making some kind of little sound, on me or in the cage.
And along with all of this, he's been plucking. This started a few years ago, and has come and gone. Right now there is a bare patch on his chest and another behind one of his wings, and his legs are pretty bare.
I just got back from two weeks away. The plucking is always worse when I'm gone. My husband was home with him, but even so, it seems like he gets bored when I'm gone and plucks. Now that I'm back, he has been sleeping ALL day - with his head behind his wing, sometimes on one leg - sometimes both, and looking pretty puffed up. I wouldn't say he looks like a pine cone, but the feathers aren't laying smooth and sleek either. It is a warm day - and I am exhausted from my trip - maybe he's just sympathetic?
On the one hand he just seems relaxed, but then again, I'm not used to seeing him sleep so much. He is eating well - lots of carrots and apples today along with pellets and some seeds. He took a bath this morning, and also had a little time in the shower with my husband. His poops seem normal.
I have called our avian vet to try to get an appointment tomorrow - we were planning on having blood work done this summer anyway, so I figure we can just do it now. Do I need to be more concerned than that? There isn't a great emergency avian vet where I am so if it can wait until I can get in to see our regular guy I'd prefer that.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Cecily