Common action or something more?

[Butters]

Today we went to visit the baby Tonka who is 12 weeks (on 6/7) and in the last few visits we have noticed he really likes chewing on his left wing. He is still being weaned so he still does his baby scream. When we first noticed it he was doing it directly after a feeding, it's like he would turn his head see it and latch on, doing the whole head shake and trying to flap his wing at the same time. We didn't think anything of it. He was still feathering so we figured it had something to do with the feedings and the pin feathers irritating him.

We're becoming more concerned now because besides this little spot on the top of his wing, he's fully feathered. Today he was munching on some pumpkin seeds and I started looking at it, since its lacking its feathers and he started going at it again as soon as I put him down. He was chomping on it pretty vigorously today and were disappointed.

Debbie said she would have him seen by the vet to make sure nothing is wrongness in case, but we feel bad. If you try to keep him from doing it, or attempt to distract him from it he gets frantic and goes at it even more. We put him down and just watched him and by the time we left it was pretty red and irritated.

I did take a video- I will try to upload it.. But I was just wondering if this was common for babies to preen or even become engrossed in something like this? The other one doesn't pick at himself the same way and being first time bird owners do not want him to develop bad habits before he even gets a chance to come home since it seems like he is doing it more and more, and he is not letting any feathers grow there. It isn't completely bald, but some skin is visible.

 

[Butters]

Apparently my piece of junk phone has decided the video cannot be played, so this is the best I can do.

 

[gemini84]

im sorry i cant offer any advice, but im sure some one will be along soon that can. I just wanted to say s/he is absolutely adorable.
I hope there is nothing wrong and you enjoy a happy long life with the newest member of your fammily

 

[Kalidasa]

Hi butters! Looking closely I can see quite a few pin feathers there, and those new quills are itchy and uncomfortable. Daily bathes relieves this itching. And a good aloe spray really helps condition the skin. Mango products makes a good one, All's it has in it is water, aloe, and trace amounts of omega oils. Or you can make an aloe spray yourself with fresh aloe juice and water. But it really helps with the irritation of it.

 

[Devann]

I could be wrong because I've never had a baby bird but I agree with Kalidasa. Looks like itchy pin feathers to me

 

[punkindave]

I was in there on Saturday and was surprised that both of the Caiques had feathered up so quickly, soooo many pin feathers!!! They're both adorable!!

It's hysterical when you interrupt or distract a Caique from their "very important tasks", they scream like you're murdering them don't they??? They are nutty little birds..

With Scooter the scream is normally a "war call" to play and it normally results in a session of finger wrestling, nipping, "surfing" and general rough housing!! He "wins" when he "escapes" and darts (hops) up to my shoulder and shakes my glasses in his beak and cheers!! Then it's back down for another round.. He never seems to tire of it.

 

[adamf]

Good lookin 12 week old. I'd wait to hear what vet says. BTW, its the first WBC pic I've seen at that age, with virtually no black feathers on the head!

 

[Nmagnum]

We were there last Friday. He's not biting the wing much. He'll probably grow out of it soon.

 

[JadeC]

I like the black patches on baby caique's heads

 

[Pinkbirdy]

We were there last Friday. He's not biting the wing much. He'll probably grow out of it soon. View attachment 7486

That is the cutest WB I have ever seen !!!!!

 

[Caseyflightfree]

have you decided on a name yet for your WBC? I'm at the stage to bring my first one home any day now-just waiting on a call