You are correct that this is not what a normal feather should look like, but it is very common in macaws and conures when they are young. I am sure that most owners who have had a "baby" macaw or conure have seen these marks numerous times. I know that
@Macawnutz and
@Shezbug have seen it with their birds too. My veterinarian has said that it is just something that happens from constant rubbing, and holds no health risk to the bird.
Feathers can get rubbed , especially long tail feathers wing tips , looks different than this tho , from my take . Sure babies can have stress bars tho not normal .
For me, these GCC don't fall into either. Id like to hear more of their history...but right now I lean towards over over supplemention, or imbalanced diet . I do not think it is serious, and probably has already resolved .
We have different experiences, and veterinarian can differ in their interpret as well. The veterinarians I've worked with and in my personal experience, would not consider this normal wear and tear , and would investigate. In every bird I have worked with with feathers like this there is a cause.
Nit that I think Rudy needs to freak out. But it's good they are paying attention and . monitoring..when you have a bunch of people you can get a variety of ideas and experience, overall that's makes us stronger.
