Does this look like a molting or a plucking.

[Allan Gibbs]

I'm about three days away from my vet visit but I've been notices small feathers from Moe while he's preening. His overall demeanor appears as if he's adjusting to his new home well. He's eating well, chewing toys, exploring his cage, and seems happy just perched on his cage door preening himself. Also, the overall condition of his feathers looks good. No bald spots but I notice some rough spots right underneath his neck. I'm not sure if he can even reach that spot with his beak.

The one thing I do notice is that sometimes he appears itchy and is aggressively preening a certain part of his body. I'm wondering it may be mites. I'm considering getting a mite spray at Petsmart - but was hoping to make it to the vet appointment before I do. I really don't want to change vets since this vet has seen my Conures but he's not available until Wednesday. Any thoughts? Sure I just get the mite spray tomorrow just to play safe?

By the way, almost all of the feathers I've seen are the white fluffy type in the lower middle part of the photo below.

 

[parrotqueen]

Sure looks to me like molting, but I'd still keep an eye on him.

Mite spray sounds like a good idea. Even if it turns out he doesn't have mites, at least you'll have that spray handy should it happen later.

I'm still pretty sure it is just molting. My cockatiels looked ratty when they molted, and they would even aggressively preen now an then as you described. Despite this, they're just fine today. They no longer 'attack' their itches anymore.

 

[greycloud]

Looks like normal molting to me. Do not use mite spray! There is no need to add chemicals to your bird till you see a vet. I think waiting till wed. is fine. Spray him with a misting bottle once a day. The vet will probably do blood work and skin scraping to check for bacterial or fungal infection.

 

[Spiritbird]

If you want to go the natural way put some aloe vera gel in the water you spritz him with, a few drops in a small bottle), and that will help with itching. Also you can make weak cammonile tea and spray him with that. Suggest you get them used to a shower perch. Especially for the dry winter air indoors. If it was mites then I would think both birds have them by now.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Thank you. I was a bit concerned about using chemical as well. My first thougt was mites but I haven't noticed any itching on me or my family so I thought it may be just Avian specific.

Thanks for the advice on the Aloe Vera gel. I was wondering if there was lotion or after bath moisturzer for Avians.

 

[Spiritbird]

There is bath items that are in blue bottles and sold on Windy City Parrots. Do not remember the name but they are supposed to be very good.

Found the link http://www.windycityparrot.com/Merc...2491002&Category_Code=health&Product_Count=11

 

[featherhead]

The stuff in the blue bottle is called BIRD RAIN