I am a new and proud owner of a white capped pionus parrot! i try to keep his diet balance and give him lots of veggies, and he LOVES when i put an apple in his pen for him to play with and chew on... but i am so overwhelmed! at first he was scratching the back of his head and feathers were falling off! but that stopped and they are growing back! but now hes like chewing on his right wing and pulling feathers off! and little white feather are EVERYWHERE! is that normal? is he moulting? is there something wrong?? im totally freaking out! I recently moved him to another room so he wasnt in the way... but i leave the door open in that room cause ive read they like to watch and hear other activites... i have tried not to over stress him and i hold hiim for about 5 minutes every other day or so... im working on getting him toys and stuff... i also recently bought a "bird protector' thing that was supposed to like defend against stuff that could make your bird sick! i also EXTREMELY careful with salt and he DOES NOT get and alcohol what so ever.. i also keep chocolate,soda, coffee and any kind of human food or drink away from him... since he is new to my house i didnt want to let him out of his cage to fly around... is that something i need to do???? also my dad (when im not around) likes to feed him serano peppers! is that bad for him????? i try my best to keep my dad from feeding him that stuff! he just refuses to understand that the bird has a very fragile diet! i have seriously tried my best to take care of him and i only clean his cage once a week... do i need to change that???? also (i know this is gonna sound dumb) but i had no idea i was supposed to bathe him! how do i bathe a bird????? so basically what im trying to stay is i have NO IDEA what i am doing! this bird was given to me by someone who if i didnt take it they were gonna release it... and i couldnt stand to know that it would probly die and horrible and slow death! so my parents and i decided we would keep it.... help me!!! please!! i am way in over my head and im super busy all the time! i try to guve him as much attention as possible... but i know i am bound to be doing something wrong! what should i do! help!!!!
Help me?!
- Thread starter LizzieV
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HI I'll try and add some ideas for you!... First, don't "freak out" birds pick up on your feelings very easily. The fluff of white feathers surrounds my house, my purse, and even at my class the other day one of my students found one attached to my shirt and saved it to show his mom. Sounds ok to me. If he is showing bald spots from plucking... then you should be concerned.
You should be doing something with him EVERY day, not just every other. He needs to spend time out of his cage, with you, or on a stand ... not necessarily flying...
Peppers are fine for birds.. they love them, providing they aren't the "pickled kind".
Bathing is what they enjoy and need... so either they will do it themselves in their water bowl, some like showers, some like being squirted with a water bottle.
Stop worrying about doing things wrong and enjoy the new member of your family!!!! You will find lots of helpful information here or on the internet.
Oh, and probably change his cage more than once a week... that's personal too. I change mine daily and wash them thoroughly once a week.
Just remember to relax, so your bird does, enjoy him and be patient!!! A little bit of safe human food is ok too. Browse around here and you will find lots of good advice!! Steph Oh, and above all... take him to an avian vet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should be doing something with him EVERY day, not just every other. He needs to spend time out of his cage, with you, or on a stand ... not necessarily flying...
Peppers are fine for birds.. they love them, providing they aren't the "pickled kind".
Bathing is what they enjoy and need... so either they will do it themselves in their water bowl, some like showers, some like being squirted with a water bottle.
Stop worrying about doing things wrong and enjoy the new member of your family!!!! You will find lots of helpful information here or on the internet.
Oh, and probably change his cage more than once a week... that's personal too. I change mine daily and wash them thoroughly once a week.
Just remember to relax, so your bird does, enjoy him and be patient!!! A little bit of safe human food is ok too. Browse around here and you will find lots of good advice!! Steph Oh, and above all... take him to an avian vet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread Starter
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- #3
ok 
thank you SO MUCH! and... ok i'll look into avian vets and i only have one cage... but he lets me clean it with him in it.... oh and 1 more question... he likes to pick the news paper out of his poop tray and tear it up... i don't know if he's eating it or not.... but could that be part of the problem?
thank you SO MUCH! and... ok i'll look into avian vets and i only have one cage... but he lets me clean it with him in it.... oh and 1 more question... he likes to pick the news paper out of his poop tray and tear it up... i don't know if he's eating it or not.... but could that be part of the problem?
IcyWolf
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- Jul 5, 2011
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Does your cage have a grate in the bottom? I'm sure he isn't eating the paper but I wouldn't encourage him to chew on paper that has poop on it, and if he keeps doing it then I would recommend getting a cage with a grate so that he can't chew on it or changing the paper daily so it's at least clean. It's probably a sign that he is bored, make sure he has lots of toys to play with and that they are different kinds. Foot toys, hanging toys, preening toys, shredding toys, hard wooden toys, etc. We make a lot of our toys and I use paper towels and news paper to make some of them. It gives the birds something they can be destructive with.
I also agree, 5 minutes every other day is not nearly enough time. Our one bird is out of her cage all the time, in fact, I don't think I have closed the door for at least a month. And we try to let the other guys out at least 4-6 hours a day. You don't necessarily need to be holing her the whole time but it's important for the bonding process for you to spend time together, even if it's just with you sitting in the same room reading a book, listening to music or on the computer.
I also agree, 5 minutes every other day is not nearly enough time. Our one bird is out of her cage all the time, in fact, I don't think I have closed the door for at least a month. And we try to let the other guys out at least 4-6 hours a day. You don't necessarily need to be holing her the whole time but it's important for the bonding process for you to spend time together, even if it's just with you sitting in the same room reading a book, listening to music or on the computer.
andrea.faerie
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- May 16, 2011
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Relax Pionus are very emotional birds. I have a 5 year old rescue myself I'm also a full time college student with 3 jobs haha so I understand busy!! The little white feathers are ok, he's likely going through a molt! Bleu is too, there's downy feathers EVERYWHERE. It's gotten to the point that i'f I'm standing by his cage, he'll pull one out or a wing feather out and sqwak, then hand it to me haha. Bleu doesn't really play, but that's because he never had toys. His favorite is a brightly colored acrylic toy though and PAPER. He LOVES tearing up paper! I keep a roll of adding paper on top of his cage and pull it through the bars, he does the rest! Just give your new bird time to adjust, when you're home, read or sing near his cage. Both my fids LOVE peppers I usually do a pepper "medley" for them once a week Lucy likes green beans and Bleu is partial to anything I stick in his snack bowl haha
Pionus are very emotional birds. I have a 5 year old rescue myself I'm also a full time college student with 3 jobs haha so I understand busy!! The little white feathers are ok, he's likely going through a molt! Bleu is too, there's downy feathers EVERYWHERE. It's gotten to the point that i'f I'm standing by his cage, he'll pull one out or a wing feather out and sqwak, then hand it to me haha. Bleu doesn't really play, but that's because he never had toys. His favorite is a brightly colored acrylic toy though and PAPER. He LOVES tearing up paper! I keep a roll of adding paper on top of his cage and pull it through the bars, he does the rest! Just give your new bird time to adjust, when you're home, read or sing near his cage. Both my fids LOVE peppers I usually do a pepper "medley" for them once a week Lucy likes green beans and Bleu is partial to anything I stick in his snack bowl haha- Thread Starter
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- #6
@ ICYWOLF, yes his cage does have a grate in the bottom but sometimes the newpaper sticks up where he can grab it through the cage.... and ok thanks i let him out more and mess with him more i just read that they are easily stressed so i didnt want to stress him too much....
@ andrea.faerie, ok what like him pulling his feathers out... is that bad? it started yesterday...and today my floor was COVERED with the actual like feathers not the fluffy white ones... and a few wing feathers... im really careful about no strong or harsh chemicals around him... whenever i clean with bathrooms cleaners and stuff i always lock his cage and open all my windows.... and ok i didnt know they were good for them thats good to here i was totally freaking out cause my dad was feeding him peppers!... and my dad wants to give him scotch... isn't that like DEADLY for birds???????
i let him out more and mess with him more i just read that they are easily stressed so i didnt want to stress him too much....@ andrea.faerie, ok
what like him pulling his feathers out... is that bad? it started yesterday...and today my floor was COVERED with the actual like feathers not the fluffy white ones... and a few wing feathers... im really careful about no strong or harsh chemicals around him... whenever i clean with bathrooms cleaners and stuff i always lock his cage and open all my windows.... and ok i didnt know they were good for them thats good to here i was totally freaking out cause my dad was feeding him peppers!... and my dad wants to give him scotch... isn't that like DEADLY for birds???????
IcyWolf
New member
- Jul 5, 2011
- 1,542
- 3
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- ~Alexandrine Parakeet~2 Red Lored Amazons~Blue Fronted Amazon~Black capped conure~4 Green Cheeks~4 Parrotlets~2 lineolated parakeets~9 American budgies~9 English budgies~ And lots of babies :)
Could you post a picture of him? It sounded like he was just molting at first, but to have your floor covered in feathers seems like it may be plucking.
Absolutely no alcohol! This is something you need to make sure your dad understands, birds can't process alcohol and it will kill them! I'm quite a whiskey drinker myself but I would never let my birds have any. That's just asking for trouble. And the same goes for caffeine, avocado, fruit pits, including apple seeds and chocolate.
Absolutely no alcohol! This is something you need to make sure your dad understands, birds can't process alcohol and it will kill them! I'm quite a whiskey drinker myself but I would never let my birds have any. That's just asking for trouble. And the same goes for caffeine, avocado, fruit pits, including apple seeds and chocolate.
andrea.faerie
New member
- May 16, 2011
- 751
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- My lovely little Black Cap Conure, Lucy (in the sky with diamonds) <3
I give my fids apple slices, they like to hold them I thought it was molting too... but you said there's feathers all over your floor after one day... that kinda sounds like plucking, not molting. Does he have any bald patches?
I thought it was molting too... but you said there's feathers all over your floor after one day... that kinda sounds like plucking, not molting. Does he have any bald patches?
Remy
New member
I don't see a picture...
How long have you had him?
-Is he pulling the feathers out himself, or is he just molting? Is there any blood? (There shouldn't be any blood if he's just molting.) If the feathers are falling off by themselves then he's probably just molting, which is perfectly normal.
-He should be in the area with the most traffic, so he gets as much social interaction as possible. If he's near the kitchen make sure it's well ventilated, because cooking oils and smoke can be harmful or lethal to birds. Their breathing systems are very sensitive. And you have any non-stick/Teflon cooking stuff like pans, get rid of it! There is safe non-stick cookware, but if you aren't sure, then it's probably not bird safe.
-Parrots need a lot of social interaction! Do people other than you hold him? He should be out for a few hours a day. I have Puck out, even if he's just on his cage, whenever I am home. Even if you're not directly interacting with him, it's still social time. Toys are important because it gives them something to do, instead of just sitting there doing nothing. Not having anything to do can lead to nervous disorders and mental illness (imagine being locked in a room by yourself with nothing to do ever).
-Toys are important! If you don't have any yet, you can improvise with bird-safe stuff around the house. Puck LOVES to shred rolls of toilet paper so much that I bought him his own TP. With his previous owner he would shred those red beer party cups. I tie paper towels around the bars of his cage, and he loves to tear at them.
-Most human foods are safe for birds. It seems like you know the unsafe ones already (chocolate, soda, candy, caffeine, alcohol). They can't digest milk products, but it's okay to give them in moderation. Meat is okay. It's good to give them variety in their diet.
-Peppers are okay, and some sources say that they're actually healthy and detoxifying! (True for humans too.)
-I take Puck in the shower with me. I put on a necklace that he can't break, so he can hold on, and let the water splash him. I try to keep his head out of the stream. He also likes to bathe when he's in the car (?!) so sometimes I help him out by misting with a water bottle.
-Also, be careful of any household plants, if you have any, because some are toxic. If they're edible, or at least non-toxic, it's okay for your bird to chew on.
For your dad, and you, and anyone else living with you, perhaps you could find a list online of hazards for birds and print them out and go over it with them.
Thank you for rescuing him! It sounds like you'll do a great job.
Can I suggest a book for you? I'm reading "Holistic Care For Birds" by David McCluggage, DVM, and Pamela Leis Higdon. It's got some excellent advice on nutrition, training (or educating, as they call it), emotions, anatomy, environment and health. I got it pretty cheap on Amazon.
How long have you had him?
-Is he pulling the feathers out himself, or is he just molting? Is there any blood? (There shouldn't be any blood if he's just molting.) If the feathers are falling off by themselves then he's probably just molting, which is perfectly normal.
-He should be in the area with the most traffic, so he gets as much social interaction as possible. If he's near the kitchen make sure it's well ventilated, because cooking oils and smoke can be harmful or lethal to birds. Their breathing systems are very sensitive. And you have any non-stick/Teflon cooking stuff like pans, get rid of it! There is safe non-stick cookware, but if you aren't sure, then it's probably not bird safe.
-Parrots need a lot of social interaction! Do people other than you hold him? He should be out for a few hours a day. I have Puck out, even if he's just on his cage, whenever I am home. Even if you're not directly interacting with him, it's still social time. Toys are important because it gives them something to do, instead of just sitting there doing nothing. Not having anything to do can lead to nervous disorders and mental illness (imagine being locked in a room by yourself with nothing to do ever).
-Toys are important! If you don't have any yet, you can improvise with bird-safe stuff around the house. Puck LOVES to shred rolls of toilet paper so much that I bought him his own TP. With his previous owner he would shred those red beer party cups. I tie paper towels around the bars of his cage, and he loves to tear at them.
-Most human foods are safe for birds. It seems like you know the unsafe ones already (chocolate, soda, candy, caffeine, alcohol). They can't digest milk products, but it's okay to give them in moderation. Meat is okay. It's good to give them variety in their diet.
-Peppers are okay, and some sources say that they're actually healthy and detoxifying! (True for humans too.)
-I take Puck in the shower with me. I put on a necklace that he can't break, so he can hold on, and let the water splash him. I try to keep his head out of the stream. He also likes to bathe when he's in the car (?!) so sometimes I help him out by misting with a water bottle.
-Also, be careful of any household plants, if you have any, because some are toxic. If they're edible, or at least non-toxic, it's okay for your bird to chew on.
For your dad, and you, and anyone else living with you, perhaps you could find a list online of hazards for birds and print them out and go over it with them.
Thank you for rescuing him! It sounds like you'll do a great job.
Can I suggest a book for you? I'm reading "Holistic Care For Birds" by David McCluggage, DVM, and Pamela Leis Higdon. It's got some excellent advice on nutrition, training (or educating, as they call it), emotions, anatomy, environment and health. I got it pretty cheap on Amazon.
Remy
New member
I just saw the picture of your bird on your profile. That's pretty scruffy looking to me. Did he look like that when you got them? He's probably very stressed out with the move (and maybe whatever else happened at his old home), and if he's not getting enough attention and/or toys. Often it takes birds a while to adjust. They are smart, so it can be traumatic for them.
Also, a checkup with an avian vet is important!! I had my vet to a blood panel on Puck when I got him. Sometimes birds pluck when there is something physically wrong, like an illness. They can also give you some advice.
Also, a checkup with an avian vet is important!! I had my vet to a blood panel on Puck when I got him. Sometimes birds pluck when there is something physically wrong, like an illness. They can also give you some advice.
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- #14
ok thanks! ))))))) i have had him for a little over 2 months and no he was well pampered at his last home and i try to give him as much attention as possible still working on toys and stuff... but he likes shredding apples and carrots
))))))) i have had him for a little over 2 months and no he was well pampered at his last home and i try to give him as much attention as possible still working on toys and stuff... but he likes shredding apples and carrots
Remy
New member
And then they were just going to release him?? Did they give you any of his toys?
Tomatoes are fine, but I've read the green part of the tomato plant can be toxic. Puck especially likes little tomatoes!
Puck will spend hours cracking the seeds on fruits that have a lot of little seeds, like figs and raspberries. Even when he's full he'll still keep mushing them around and cracking the seeds!
As far as apple seeds go (and some other fruit seeds), there is only a teeny bit of cyanide in them, so if your bird gets one or two it's probably okay, but I would avoid feeding them that part of the fruit. I don't know about anyone else, but I have never heard of a bird getting cyanide poisoning from fruit seeds. I'm not sure if it's actually happened, or if it's just cautionary advice because they do have it. Actually, small doses of cyanide have been shown to have anti-cancer effects. It doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution. I found this short article on it: BirdsnWays - Are Apple Seeds Safe? - Eclectus Forum May 1997
What kind of high acid foods do you mean? Like citrus?
Tomatoes are fine, but I've read the green part of the tomato plant can be toxic. Puck especially likes little tomatoes!
Puck will spend hours cracking the seeds on fruits that have a lot of little seeds, like figs and raspberries. Even when he's full he'll still keep mushing them around and cracking the seeds!
As far as apple seeds go (and some other fruit seeds), there is only a teeny bit of cyanide in them, so if your bird gets one or two it's probably okay, but I would avoid feeding them that part of the fruit. I don't know about anyone else, but I have never heard of a bird getting cyanide poisoning from fruit seeds. I'm not sure if it's actually happened, or if it's just cautionary advice because they do have it. Actually, small doses of cyanide have been shown to have anti-cancer effects. It doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution. I found this short article on it: BirdsnWays - Are Apple Seeds Safe? - Eclectus Forum May 1997
What kind of high acid foods do you mean? Like citrus?
Remy
New member
If he's for sure plucking I'd have a vet look at him ASAP. There are a lot of things that can cause plucking. I'm not an expert by any means, but I have heard physical illness, diet, and stress can all cause plucking. Some of the users on here have some pretty good insight and advice on it.
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thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and no they didn't :/ so I'm working on toys... but i put apples and carrots in his cage and he likes to tear up the towel i cover him with at night... and ok thanks i'll find a avian vet for him
and no they didn't :/ so I'm working on toys... but i put apples and carrots in his cage and he likes to tear up the towel i cover him with at night... and ok thanks i'll find a avian vet for him [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Pionus-Parrots-Complete-Roger-Sweeney/dp/1895270227]Amazon.com: Pionus Parrots: A Complete Guide (9781895270228): Roger G Sweeney: Books[/ame]
Go to your local library and see if you can get this book. It sounds like you would welcome a book you could refer to as questions arise. And you have done a kind deed to recue this Pi.
Go to your local library and see if you can get this book. It sounds like you would welcome a book you could refer to as questions arise. And you have done a kind deed to recue this Pi.
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Thank you guys so much!!!! but he stopped doing it today when I lightly sprayed him with water... he clean his feathers and he hasn't done it at all today... also while i was home I left him out for around 6 hours today... is that ok? he pretty much stayed on a shelf above me at my desk... so i kinda forgot about him....
but he stopped doing it today when I lightly sprayed him with water... he clean his feathers and he hasn't done it at all today... also while i was home I left him out for around 6 hours today... is that ok? he pretty much stayed on a shelf above me at my desk... so i kinda forgot about him....Most Reactions
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