• Welcome to Avian Avenue! To view our forum with less advertisments please register with us.
    Memberships are free and it will just take a moment. Click here

why has my 2yo conure lost main chest feathers?

Anzutiki12

Checking out the neighborhood
Joined
1/31/20
Messages
1
Real Name
sarah mueller
20200131_201106.jpg

My green cheek conure on the right has lost adult feathers like the left conure has and only has down feathers remaining; I just noticed this and do not know if this is normal for this kind of bird? I dont remember this happening with the other bird.
 

Shezbug

ASK ME FOR PICTURES OF MY MACAW!
Super Moderator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
4/28/18
Messages
25,837
Location
Vic, Australia
Real Name
Shez
Is there a chance one if them is plucking the feathers out?
Are there new pin feathers growing?
 

Mizzely

Lil Monsters Bird Toys
Super Moderator
Vendor
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Avenue Concierge
Joined
8/9/11
Messages
39,969
Location
Northern Mitten Michigan
Real Name
Shawna [she/her]
Definitely looks like plucking. When you see their pajamas like that, its almost always feather destruction
 

Mockinbirdiva

Cruising the avenue
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
11/20/09
Messages
11,338
Location
South Carolina
Real Name
Andrea
If you are keeping them together then watch them closely from across the room to see if the bird on the left is plucking the other. Both of my female crimson bellies will pluck feathers from the male when they are allowed out together so I have to watch them and stop it when I see it. Otherwise they each have their own cages. You can't rule out he is plucking himself either... could be stress or an underlying illness. Do they bath often? Lack of humidity in their area? Diet? Anything that could be causing stress... other animals in the home, loud noises, cages out in the open?
 

Greencheek Lee

Sprinting down the street
Avenue Veteran
Joined
10/3/14
Messages
596
Location
California
Real Name
Lee
For some reason 2 of mine just did the same thing. The pineapple has mostly grown back after taking more baths. The regular green cheek is about 1/2 way back to normal. In 14 years of having GCC's I have never had that happen. So, try more baths, check humidity and give it a couple weeks to see if it continues.
 

Mockinbirdiva

Cruising the avenue
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
11/20/09
Messages
11,338
Location
South Carolina
Real Name
Andrea
I would also ask if they are both the same sex. Years ago when Casey- male crimson belly was given to me, he came with a male normal green cheek I had raised from a breeding pair I owned and sold to the friend of the lady who owned Casey. I didn't know those two ladies lived together when they visited my home and bought the green cheek "Joey". They had been keeping the two males together. I wasn't expecting two birds, but just Casey per my phone conversation with the lady and when they showed up with Joey too I was quite surprised but took Joey back and allowed the two males to stay together since they were used to each others company. About a year later I walked into my bird room with the conures and saw a couple of feathers fly. Thought... hmm odd... I better keep an eye on those two for potential problems since Joey was maturing. I think Casey was at least 2 years old then. The next day I walk in and see the cage floor full of feathers. Full of feathers. I investigate the two and see Casey's back is totally naked, no down, just bare skin. I didn't know if he had plucked himself or what. While I was in the room changing papers I witnessed Joey sitting next to Casey and saw him pluck a feather off Casey's back. I set up another cage and separated them permanently. Those two were very bonded and pretty unhappy about being separated but I couldn't allow it to go on or escalate into more destructive behavior. Like I said... just watch them when they are together.
 

Monica

Cruising the avenue
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
5/18/10
Messages
11,253
Location
Hell, NV
Real Name
Monica
It's always best to rule out medical reasons first prior to exploring environmental or behavioral issues as to why a bird is plucking.

Please look through this page.

 
Top