GCC over preening - how to stop it?

[Tzutzik]

Hi,
I have a 1yo GCC and lately (for the past month) I noticed his feathers are ragged, it turns out he’s chewing, shredding(?) them when preening.
He does not pluck and seems to be molting now. Is it normal? Is there any way to make him stop doing this to his own feathers? I don’t want it to become a lifetime habit.
Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Zainabals]

Hey,
I’m sorry your little guy is going through this.

I’m no bird expert but how about chew toys? The kinds that mimic feathers to preen to help distract him.
Is he getting enough attention?

 

[Tzutzik]

Hey,
I’m sorry your little guy is going through this.

I’m no bird expert but how about chew toys? The kinds that mimic feathers to preen to help distract him.
Is he getting enough attention?

Thank you, I will try getting him more toys, hopefully he’ll prefer chewing them than his own feathers. I would say he’s getting enough attention as I work from home and he’s with me outside of the cage most of the day.

 

[Angelica]

Thank you, I will try getting him more toys, hopefully he’ll prefer chewing them than his own feathers. I would say he’s getting enough attention as I work from home and he’s with me outside of the cage most of the day.

Maybe the birb is stressed from some noises or something you can't hear idk how well birds ears are but I know dogs can get pretty stressed out about some types of noises

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hi,
I have a 1yo GCC and lately (for the past month) I noticed his feathers are ragged, it turns out he’s chewing, shredding(?) them when preening.
He does not pluck and seems to be molting now. Is it normal? Is there any way to make him stop doing this to his own feathers? I don’t want it to become a lifetime habit.
Any advice?
Thanks!View attachment 56392

It does look like he's shredded some of his feathers. I would bring him to an avian vet to rule out any medical reasons for this behavior and get some professional advice.