I hope she isn't plucking

[josiesmom]

Josie had a shower today and since it was so nice out, I took her outside in the sun to dry off. I notice that her wing feathers are looking thin...missing a few on each wing. The big feathers. It also looks symmetrical. If she were plucking, would she start with her wings a pluck symmetrically? I haven't noticed her doing anything out of the ordinary. Any thoughts?

[Pinkbirdy]

Does she have any pins [molting at all ?]

[Mare]

I was also thinking along Terri's lines. Seeing feathers on the ground, around Sassy, I will pick up and check to see if the quill was chewed off or came out naturally. It's always a relief to find the quills whole. Now plucking may be different,,Sassy barbers.. Sounds like a molt to me, though. When Amigo molts I will find similar feathers around at the same time.

[PlaxMacaws]

The only plucker in my home is Jack - who also happens to be a B&G. Sadly, Jack has plucked under and above his wings. The bare areas exist in symmetrical patterns on each wing. He began plucking in response to rejection from and repeated aggressive attacks by, followed by permanent separation from his former cage mate, Maynard (my Military Macaw). Jack became so neurotic in response to no longer being allowed physical contact with Maynard that he refused to allow any pin feathers to grow in at those locations. This went on for so long that currently it's possible to see daylight through his wing skin when his wings are extended. He doesn't pluck much anymore, but I know his feathering at those areas will never grow back :(

Hopefully Josie is not plucking and her feathers are simply thinned out a bit from a molt. If she is plucking, though, you should be able to find evidence in her cage tray, and/or perhaps on the floor or on a wall near her cage.

[Mare]

Question, Tony..when a bird plucks does this mean he/she is pulling feather out by the root? Is this how they do this?

[plax]

Question, Tony..when a bird plucks does this mean he/she is pulling feather out by the root? Is this how they do this?In some cases they actually pluck, which typically means yanking the entire feather, root and all. That's as opposed to barbering, which is usually the snipping of their feathers at certain points.

[2birds]

Question, Tony..when a bird plucks does this mean he/she is pulling feather out by the root? Is this how they do this?

I wondered the same thing

[kendrafitz]

I think when it is symmetrical, it is usually a molt. At least that is my experience. Rosie loses the identical feathers on each side around the same time - usually w/in a week. She molts year round, which is not common from what I gather. How often does Josie molt?

[Mare]

I do notice when the feathers start falling more than usual and have always thought this was a molt time, 2-3 times a year around here. It's got to be bizarre for our birds (who are not indigenous to the America's) to have to acclimate! Do you think they really do?! I guess they would HAVE to, to survive. When Amigo first came to us, he was a mystery. He showed us that he was NOT meant for a cage or a house. It took a few years for us to get with it :)

[josiesmom]

I've had her for 2 years and can't say that I've ever seen a significant molt yet. That being said, she did come to us clipped and within the first year, all of those feathers were back. The missing feathers now are actually the ones you would clip. It looks like it is every other one or so. Otherwise, she llooks beautiful, just a bit thin on her wings.

[Macaw Lover]

Jody plucked several years ago when she was on an antibiotic so when I see feathers out of her I get concerned but when I pet her head and see one fall out I am a happy camper again.

[josiesmom]

I don't believe that Josie is plucking because she is getting some beautiful new feathers on her wings. The only strange this is that on both wings, in the yellow section, she got a black feather on both sides. Is that normal? I will try to get a pic tomorrow. We were outside today and I didn't have my phone to snap one,