feather issue

[sateebonsamui]

I have an 18 year old female African Grey which we raised from a hatchling. She is a very contented & happy bird who enjoys life between our home and our restaurant. For many years she seems to worry the area where her wings attach to her body, usually nothing is really noticeable but now she has opeded up a bald patch of about half an inch in diameter on both wings.
Does anybody have any ideas? I feel that is probably a medical issue or some sort of patasite.

 

[RavensGryf]

Hi, welcome. I'm sorry to hear your bird has started plucking more noticeably. It's not always easy to say why. Here is a good write up on the complex issue of plucking. http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html It would be rare for an indoor pet bird to all of a sudden get external parasites, so I would say it's not that. It sounds like time to take her to an avian vet for an exam and testing. Good luck with this.