Preening out feathers

[Whoviana]

Sunflower has lost about 10 feathers today while preening. We watched her do it and she looks like she's preening normally, but some of her chest feathers are coming out. The feathers don't look damaged or bloody, but there is a noticable area on her chest where her feathers are not as full when she fluffs them.

She has a few pin feathers, but none on her chest. Is this plucking or over- preening? Could she be molting? Could it be diet? She is a picky eater (she only likes the purple pellets, for example).

 

[Donna turner]

I would guess molting. My bird usually starts loosing feathers before the pins show up. Tiel I had plucked and he'd have to work a little to get feather out and he'd exhibit some pain when it turned loose. Then he'd happily chew on it. I wouldn't worry for now unless you see something else not right.