"Moistened Bink"  wrote in message
news:37r76jF5hj6nsU1{at}individual.net...
> We have an adorable one year-old green cheek conure, and due
> to an unfortunate accident almost three weeks ago (long story,
> details given upon request) all except one of his tail feathers were
> pulled out.  He didn't bleed at all when it happened.
>
> Within a week he started growing four new tail feathers, but just
> yesterday we noticed all but one of these new feathers are also
> gone.  We don't know whether he pulled them out himself, or if
> they just fell off by themselves.
>
> We're worried now, even though he can still fly very well, and the
> lack of tail feathers doesn't seem to bother him too much.
>
> Is it possible he doesn't recognize these new feathers and is pulling
> them out?  Is it common for the first set of new tail feathers to just
> fall off?
>
> Thanks very much for any info.

Growing feathers is a fairly stressful time for a bird.  It takes extra
nutrition to produce the feather and there is some discomfort involved.
Being one-year-old, this may be his first replacement of tail feathers.  But
regrowing all of them at one time is not, as you know, the way it works
naturally.

My guess is that it bothers him and he is removing them.  If it happens
again, I think this bird is a perfect candidate for a collar.  He wouldn't
have to wear it for long and its purpose would be to prevent him from
developing a bad habit that could become a life-long one.

I have a Painted Conure with no tail feathers.  I doubt that they will
regrow now because he has removed them for so long and feather follicles can
be permanently damaged.  Had I thought of it years ago when the problem
began, maybe I could have prevented the habit from developing, maybe not.

His onset was not due to trauma but something about his liver (vet opinion)
at that time causing him aggravation he didn't know how to deal with but by
removing his tail feathers.  He is fully flighted and navigates quite well.
He'd never make it in the wild but has accuracy getting around here.  Since
he is the only flighted bird I have, he thinks he's special.  He buzzed me
yesterday while I was washing dishes.

If you should collar him, I'd check with the vet to see what you can put on
his tail to keep him comfortable as those feathers regrow.  The collar is
torture enough without him being unable to tend to his tail.  Once the blood
feathers emerge from the sheath, you should be safe to remove the collar.

I'm sure you've addressed the cause of the original trauma and it will not
reoccur.  If you choose to discuss the details, make sure you are wearing
your flame-proof gear.

--
Sincerely,
Joanne

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