Is this molting?

[adz1984]

I ask because my Alexandrine is only about 18/19 weeks old and I have been seeing these little feathers for a few weeks..
She does seem to preen a lot and I've noticed some pin feathers but not a lot..
Some pics

 

[SailBoat]

It is likely Molting.

But that would also depend on what season it is where you are, the current temperature and humidity range and health and diet of your Parrot.

 

[adz1984]

It's summer here in Australia and this January has apparently been the hottest we've had in 160 years temps 30-40c daily
I feed a mix of 3 different pellets some softened with water and some dry also little bit of seed and fruit/nut mix. I'm feeding a big variety in hopes she will eat enough. I've tried simple chop, plain cooked quinoa, mashed sweet potato organic baby food she just not interested much
I been slacking on fresh food as she just throws it or plays with it she's very picky eater even pellets I don't feel she's eating enough, only thing she pigs out on is sunflower but she only gets as treats now

 

[SailBoat]

It's summer here in Australia and this January has apparently been the hottest we've had in 160 years temps 30-40c daily
I feed a mix of 3 different pellets some softened with water and some dry also little bit of seed and fruit/nut mix. I'm feeding a big variety in hopes she will eat enough. I've tried simple chop, plain cooked quinoa, mashed sweet potato organic baby food she just not interested much
I been slacking on fresh food as she just throws it or plays with it she's very picky eater even pellets I don't feel she's eating enough, only thing she pigs out on is sunflower but she only gets as treats now

Thank-you for the location information, it truly helps in addressing this type of question.

Based on the extended Heat Spell you have been dealing with, your Parrot is more likely adjusting to your weather and therefore it is classified as a Molt.

Diet is very important to the overall health of all parrots and it is important to know of any variation that your Parrot species requires and adjust their diets to meet those requirements.

I'm an Amazon Snob, so I am not going to advise you regarding your Parrot's diet. Please refer to your Parrots Forum for information regarding that subject.

With the high heat, increase the baths for your Parrot. You can also use a fine misting strayer and remember to start Misting Up into the Air Above Your Parrot. This is more like a light Rain and is commonly more accepting as a starting point for your Parrot.

Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

Have only experienced 40c once and that was more than enough for me!!!

 

[adz1984]

Thanks didn't know heat could start a molt I guess that explains why she's molting rather early. I been bathing every second day sometimes daily due to heat she quite likes it.
Now I just need to fix this picky creatures eating habits as I think she may be underweight (her keel is kinda pronounced).
I have a gram scale on it's way here. I have no idea how to find out what's a healthy weight as theyre's alot of factors like age, gender, parents and sub species.

 

[SailBoat]

Thanks didn't know heat could start a molt I guess that explains why she's molting rather early. I been bathing every second day sometimes daily due to heat she quite likes it.
Now I just need to fix this picky creatures eating habits as I think she may be underweight (her keel is kinda pronounced).
I have a gram scale on it's way here. I have no idea how to find out what's a healthy weight as theyre's alot of factors like age, gender, parents and sub species.

Parrots either add or reduce specific feathers based on the weather they are exposed too, connected to the natural changing of the Seasons. It is important to understand that Feathers are Expensive! That means each feather requires energy from a high quality natural based diet and stores from the body too create. Point being, they are careful not to add too many Feathers during the very early Winter and not molting more Feathers than needed during the very early Summer.

There is a normal 'volume' at the start of a late Spring Molt from there during the Summer, they may need to further reduce the number of or hold based on the weather they are exposed too. So, you are not seeing a new Molt, but an adjustment based on need!

Your baby is still young and likely has not been allow to fledge or may just begining to learn how to fly! The Keel Supports (the foundation of) the flight muscles! Begin able to feel the Keel at this age is not totally out of normal.

What is the target weight for your Parrot at its age is something a like owner, your Avian Vet, or Breeder is more likely to have.

Weight is an important part of understanding the health status of your Parrot. It can also become a process of driving yourself Nuts!

Weight is taken every day, in the morning, before the first meal and after the early morning movement i.e., your Parrot is empty! That weight is written down, with the day and time. As time passes, you will begin to see the further growth of your Young Parrot as it adds muscle and overall mass. In addition, you will see minor variations during the year with the effects of Winter and Summer.

Now, until your parrot transitions between a young Parrot and becomes a young Adult Parrot. You will see a growth in weight and then a leveling off.

At this point in your young Parrots life you should not be limiting food and doing your best at introducing and expanding your Parrot's diet.

 

[adz1984]

I got my parrot from a pet store, apparently hand raised and 10 weeks old. She was already clipped before purchase so your probably right that she has never fledged, she doe's flap her wings and jump off things from time to time..
She has been eating pellets for over a month now but i'm not sure if the quantity is enough (alot left over and crumbles not much time spent eating etc).
The only food she will really dig into and eat for a long time is seeds, mainly sunflower, she won't lift her head from the bowl until every last sunflower seed is gone. My question is should I just give her seed along with pellets if I feel she isn't eating alot?
Below is a pic of the flock, you can see her diet was mainly seed from the floor.

 

[wrench13]

Slowly reduce the quantity of those sunflower seeds , which are like junk food for parrots, and if fed exclusively will eventually cause dietary problems and illness and possibly death.
A good quality pellet plus fruit and lots of veggies is the best diet for parrots. You have to be the boss here. If you give them a commercial mix, they will eat the sunflower seeds first, then the millet seeds and so on down the nutrition scale. If you slowly reduce the sunflower seeds, you parrot will learn to eat the pellets. With the scale you'll be able to track it's weight and see what is normal after the transition.

 

[adz1984]

Just to be clear she doe's eat pellets and knows they are food, i've had about 5 different pellet brands in her bowls ever since I bought her (about 9 weeks), the problem is she doesn't eat much pellets or veg quantity wise which leads me to believe she doesn't like them much even though I've been patient and introduced many different brands and techniques (watered, dry, mixed with seed).
I feel I may be starving her without seeds, Maybe i'm wrong but she crumbles them up alot and i have no idea how how much is actually being consumed add to that time spend in pellet bowl is much less when I had a seed bowl out.