Plucking or molting?

[jzarc17]

Hello All,

I am nearly 100% positive that neither of my birds pluck but I wanted to check my understanding of plucking. Today I noticed my GCC had a tail feather that was sort of upside down...the underneath of the feather was facing up. Shortly after noticing, I saw my GCC seem to pull it out. I imagine that this feather was on the way out by how it looked upside down. Based on that, this example is not true feather plucking just because I witnessed him remove it the rest of the way, is it? I'm thinking feather plucking is more when a bird removes a feather that is not ready to be molted yet. Attached you will find a picture of the feather I saw him remove. Is there something to look for on a feather to tell if it was molted vs. plucked?

 

[CrazyKozmo]

That looks like a normally molted feather to me. I've seen my gcc's do that same exact thing...and they're not pluckers (thank goodness!!).

 

[MR. Mango]

Agreed it’s kind of like having a really loose tooth

 

[barbs0nly]

Hello All,

I am nearly 100% positive that neither of my birds pluck but I wanted to check my understanding of plucking. Today I noticed my GCC had a tail feather that was sort of upside down...the underneath of the feather was facing up. Shortly after noticing, I saw my GCC seem to pull it out. I imagine that this feather was on the way out by how it looked upside down. Based on that, this example is not true feather plucking just because I witnessed him remove it the rest of the way, is it? I'm thinking feather plucking is more when a bird removes a feather that is not ready to be molted yet. Attached you will find a picture of the feather I saw him remove. Is there something to look for on a feather to tell if it was molted vs. plucked?
View attachment 384059

it looks molted!! i thought you can tell if there’s remaining blood in the shaft? at least that’s how i was taught THATS A BEAUTIFUL FEATHER BTW

 

[jzarc17]

That looks like a normally molted feather to me. I've seen my gcc's do that same exact thing...and they're not pluckers (thank goodness!!).

Thank you and yes, thank goodness!

 

[jzarc17]

Agreed it’s kind of like having a really loose tooth

good analogy! Thank you!

 

[jzarc17]

it looks molted!! i thought you can tell if there’s remaining blood in the shaft? at least that’s how i was taught THATS A BEAUTIFUL FEATHER BTW

Thank you! I have saved all his molted tail feathers, I love them! I'm hoping to someday find a way to make something with them that I can display in my office at work so I can feel like he's with me.

 

[barbs0nly]

Thank you! I have saved all his molted tail feathers, I love them! I'm hoping to someday find a way to make something with them that I can display in my office at work so I can feel like he's with me.

you just gave me an idea HAHAH maybe in like a picture frame or smthing

 

[jzarc17]

you just gave me an idea HAHAH maybe in like a picture frame or smthing

Yes, that's a good idea!

 

[CrazyKozmo]

Agreed it’s kind of like having a really loose tooth

I was thinking the exact same thing.....just forgot to type it!!