Molting vs. plucking

[mom2mny]

How can I tell if my Amazon is molting vs. plucking? We've only had Tommy, our BFA, for about 1 1/2 months. He seems to be losing a lot of feathers now. He's also lost a few tail feathers. I'm just worried that he's stressed and plucking.
Thank you for your help.

 

[SandyBee]

A lot of birds are molting right now and they do lose a lot of feathers. If there are no bald spots and no blood on the feather shafts that have come out its probably a molt. You should also be noticing new pin feathers to replace the lost ones. Showers/baths are very helpfull for him to feel comfortable and preen.

 

[henpecked]

Molting and quality of feathers are related to diet. He is probably having a major molt now due to being on a good diet. IMO ,but i don't know the history of your zon. Unless you notice "bald " areas i would guess major molt instead of plucking. Especially if you don't see signs of "barbering".(chewing feathers). Are you able to "pet" him? You should be noticing "pin" feathers starting to emerge.

 

[Pajarita]

Actually, henpecked, in my personal experience, it's birds that are in bad diets (too much protein) that have what we call 'major' molts. Especially amazons which require less protein than others.

 

[henpecked]

I was referring to birds that had not been on healthy diets suddenly eating right and then having a heavy molt. IMO feathers are one of the first visible signs of a poor diet. Birds that are lacking nutrition don't molt in new feathers like they should, hence the ragged, worn out looking feathers. The OP has only had the bird for about 6 weeks, about the right time frame for a better diet to manifest it's self in a good molt.

 

[Pajarita]

Ahhh, I see what you mean now, I did not know about the six weeks and yes, if she was fed mostly seeds or pellets before, she would go into a heavy molt now.