is this normal or is he plucking

[chrysty]

My 9 yr old male cockatoo has a strip down his chest that is bare. sometimes noticeable sometimes not so much. I haven't had them but two months and I do notice some feathers but assume the amount is normal but I have noticed that a couple weeks ago there was more than now. Otherwise he seems fine eating playin normally. He however is scared of everything thing. Before I got them they were in a basement all the time alone.he plays with me but doesn't step up from cage.
Can anyone help? I have pictures but don't know how to upload here.

 

[weco]

Welcome to the Forums Chrysty, hope you enjoy your stay.....

Don't feel bad, I think I was around here a year or so before I figured out how to post pics in a thread.....just tried to find the link, around here on how to do it, but it seems to have eluded me, but many post the links to outside postings like flickr, etc, as the forums conservative in allocating space for actual images, but if any of our Super Moderators who are not taking a midday nap happen to read this thread, I'm sure they'll post the link to the instructions.....

 

[torrap]

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

It's in a Technical Support forum.........

 

[Allee]

Hi Christy! Welcome to the forum!

Here's the link weco mentioned! Nice timing, weco, caught me before my nap time!

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Christy, Umbrellas do have a narrow bare strip down the middle of their breasts that is perfectly normal. I'll try to find an article for you. In normal circumstances the bare skin is completely smooth and there are no follicles or feathers. I had a vet look at my U2 to make sure, she told me no feathers had ever grown there. In a fully feathered bird the strip should be covered.

 

[weco]

Hi Christy! Welcome to the forum!

Here's the link weco mentioned! Nice timing, weco, caught me before my nap time!

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Christy, Umbrellas do have a narrow bare strip down the middle of their breasts that is perfectly normal. I'll try to find an article for you. In normal circumstances the bare skin is completely smooth and there are no follicles or feathers. I had a vet look at my U2 to make sure, she told me no feathers had ever grown there. In a fully feathered bird the strip should be covered.

Guess it's a good thing it's nap time.....would it have been better if you waited to post your reply, 'til after your nap ? ? ?

Just a thought, but then that's what it is, isn't it...the thought ! ! ! Nap well.....

 

[Allee]

Thanks weco, but I had to forget the nap completely! It was a nice thought though...

 

[weco]

Sorry Allee, but I was alluding to a seemingly more obvious reason for needing a nap.....

 

[Allee]

Enlighten me, please! Was it because I posted the link after someone else had posted it or am I giving false info? Maybe my U2's just weird?

 

[chrysty]

Thank you all for the info.. I'm still a little concerned cause I can see it sometimes especially when he decides to splash all of his water bowl through out my kitchen and becomes wet.
Will be keeping a close eye on him.

 

[weco]

Enlighten me, please! Was it because I posted the link after someone else had posted it or am I giving false info? Maybe my U2's just weird?

No, sorry, you're in the wrong ballpark...have you been overworked lately? Maybe it's an ocular problem, but Chrysty spells her name a little differently than you recognized her by.....don't worry Allee, I was married to a Texan, so fully understand...go back to sleep, it's just a very minor thing, to everybody except Chrysty, I'm sure ! ! !

 

[Allee]

Chrysty, I truly apologize for changing your name. I am so sorry. If your U2 is having a pool party in his water bowl, that sounds pretty normal. I'm also pretty certain about the bare strip, but it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on him.


Weco, thank you for the correction and the laugh. What can I say, I live in Texas with a Too, maybe I need more than a nap.

 

[getwozzy]

Well, I missed my nap so watch out, Walt [emoji41]

But! Chili (galah) also has a bare strip on her chest (along the keel bone)-- the only time I can see it is when she's wet or if she situates her feathers just right.

 

[Kimmied]

I'm so glad I saw this Mina has a slightly bare area on her chest too and I thought she was plucking. Good to know it just something U2 have.

 

[Frumpydumple]

My Mother's African Grey has the same sort of thing. I don't think it's anything to worry about.