Darkening (Gray/Black) Tail Feathers

[code3gary]

I just got a new baby Citron Cockatoo, about 3 months old.

I've been noticing that his/her tail feathers have been turning black (darkening gray, anyway) from the tips upward.

At first, I thought it might be from him rubbing his tail up against something dark, but ruled that out because he hasn't been.

And, since it looked like it could be a water stain and I thought maybe it was causing mold to grow. But, apparently that doesn't happen -- and it won't clean off.

I talked to my breeder and vet (avian, of course) and they have never heard of this happening.

Obviously, I'm afraid for his health. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.


--- GARY

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Gary, welcome to the forums, and congratulations on your new baby!

Can you possibly show us some pictures? http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Is it at all possible that his/her feathers are getting discolored from any toys? What type of cage is he/she in? My B&G's breeder had an Umbrella cockatoo in a SS King's Cage, and the bird took on a 'dirty', 'greyish' looking color, despite frequent baths. She finally figured out the cage was the culprit.

 

[Sucre]

We came home the other night and almost had a heart attack when we saw Sucre, our U2. His tail feathers were red half way up. Of course my first thought was blood, but on closer inspection, it was too even across the feathers. We made sure he seemed okay, and wondered about it for a couple of hours, until I went to change his water bowl. He had destroyed another new toy (Large parrot approved, you know?) that day, and apparently he had decided to soak one of the red pieces in his water bowl, and then soak his tail feathers in it. Straight to the shower with Sucre, and it rinsed right out - after about 20 minutes of splashing around!

Did you have the cage covered with a dark cover? It's possible yours could have gotten his / her tail feathers in the water and then gotten up against the cover. These dyes are a pain with a white bird, and I wonder how safe they really are.