New Member

[Kyle]

I just registered as a new member and don't know if this is the right place to post this. I need some advice on my Blue Head Pionus. I got him as a hand-fed baby about 3 years ago. He has been DNA tested so I know he's a boy. I got him in August and by November he began picking his feathers. he does not pick his down feathers, but all his green feathers so that he looks like a dirty snowball. I have taken him to a local bird vet who ran all sorts of tests but there is nothing wrong with him as far as his health. I've changed him to a pellet and fresh food diet, spray him a couple of times a day, and am home with him all day. I take him out of his cage all the time, even outside with me when I'm working in the yard. Does anyone have any advice for me as to what is the matter? My husband has had several birds (macaws, amazons) and I had a cockatiel someone gave me which I loved and when he died I decided on getting my pionus. My husband says none of his birds ever did this. Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks!

 

[parrotqueen]

Hi Kyle! Pleased to meet you and your little boy!

I am dearly sorry, as I have nothing to really help you with this problem hopefully somebody else can shed some light on this.

I wish you all the best!

 

[Ratzy]

How did you change his food? Gradually or immediately? Immediately can force a moult and other health problems.

 

[Spiritbird]

Welcome to our world of wonderful parrot people. You did the right thing to take bird to vet. If there is nothing medically causing this to happen then we look at the environment/nutrition. Does anyone in your home smoke cigarettes? If they do I suggest it be done ouside. Is there stress of some sort with the birds human flock? If birdie seems to be itching you can add some aloe gel to the spritz (few drops) to about 1 cup of water. Also you can make a cup of cammomile tea and instead of drinking you spritz on the bird. This would be for a stress situation. Keep us informed of what is happening.

 

[genevieve]

I hope this helps... I am in no way an expert, just reiterating what I've heard.

It sounds like you give him lots of attention, but does your pionus play by himself? Does he have a variety of toys that he is interested in? You want to make sure he isn't entirely depenpendant on you.

Also, any type of residue on the feathers can cause issues. I can recall two examples of this from a seminar I attended earlier this Spring. First, someone ate a lot of junk food and would handle their bird immediately after. Second, someone let their bird shower with them, but would leave them on the floor of the shower where they'd get covered in suds that weren't properly washed off.

If he plucks his feathers at night, it is more likely to be a physical problem.

How much undisturbed sleep does he get? Is the cage in a quiet spot?

I've heard it can be useful to keep a journal. It might help identify cyclical issues which could be caused by hormones. In that case, I'm told you want to limit the time the bird spends "cuddling" with you to no more than 5 minutes at a time, block access to small, dark places, and perhaps artifically shorten the numbers of sunlight.

Perhaps someone with a Pionus can address the best bathing habits. Spraying several times a day seems like a bit much to me. The bird's feathers may not dry completely before bedtime. I'd guess it would be better to drench him a few times a week.

 

[justwingingit]

Welcome to the forum! It's a good one. Hopefully, you will get the help and advice you need here to have a happy, healthy relationship with your bird. I don't want to "Parrot" (ha ha) what the others have said, but since you ruled out biology, then it's time to move to behavior. The internet is wonderful in researching your specific bird. The diet sounds good. Does he like to chew on wood, burrow in a box or shred. I found that for my AG, Simon, a box is her best toy. Keeps her busy and she loves it. My Hyacinth, Talara, loves her phone book. Keep us posted. In the meantime, I'll see what information I can get for you.

 

[antoinette]

Hi welcome to a great friendly forum.
So much advise given, sure many of your questions will be answered.
Keep us updated

 

[cindyluhoo]

Welcome Kyle. I am a newer member also and had some great advice from a lot of people. It seems like you covered all bases, hope some other members have other ideas to help you and your bird out.

 

[Kyle]

Thank you for all your advice and interest. We do not smoke, so that can't be a factor. I don't think I changed his food too quicklyas he began this almost immediately (within 4 months) and only recently have I started not giving him certain things until now we're down to just pellets and soybeans, garbanzo beans, apples and oranges which are his favorites. Someone told me not to give him seed, especially sunflower, thinking it might be causing the plucking. He loves peanuts, especially breaking them apart, but I haven't been giving him those either. I appreciated Justwingingit's advice on the phonebook and burrowing box and put both those things in his cage tonight. He seems frantic when he's plucking, like he's itchy or something, which is why I've been spraying him - someone told me birds won't pluck if they're wet. Maybe I'll try Spiritbird's suggestion about putting aloe in the water. Actually he doesn't like being sprayed at all and protests when he sees the bottle but I'm at my wit's end. As far as "dark time" I had wondered about that. I cover him about 9 p.m. and uncover him about 7 a.m. He's in our family room, though, so my boys sometimes have the t.v. on after 9. My husband tells me "birds are used to noise in the forest and they still sleep" so I haven't thought much about that. Maybe he needs more quiet time? He doesn't seem to pluck at night. Thanks again to everyone. I'm wondering if he is just not liking me. He actually seems happier when he's around my husband. But I'm the one spending all the time with him!

 

[cindyluhoo]

I was reading my Bird Talk magazine last night and came across this add Got Plucker? Get help at www.nattynewfeathers.com Refeathering aids, collars, toys for pluckers. This might be something to check out. Thought I would pass it on.

 

[antoinette]

Somthing to consider...
When I got my AG Mishka, after handrearing her, we decided she should sleep in the lounge. There was so much activity going on, the tv, kids, their music etc.
I noticed she was not having a proper nights sleep. Beleive it or not, she became moody and very aggessive.
I then let her sleep in my bedroom where it is very quiet.
Immediately we noticed a changed, she was not moody and all the aggressiveness had vanished.
A long shot, but you never know, hope this helps.

 

[Kyle]

Thank you for the website information. I'm going to check that out!

 

[genevieve]

Oh one other tip I remember... if you see Petey plucking and try to stop him, it might reinforce the behavior. Basically, the bird will see plucking as a way to get your attention. Instead, when Petey is plucking, do something to distract him. Like drop a book on the floor or turn on some music. Then once Petey has stopped, give him something to play with... something to distract him from plucking.

 

[ikylejm]

i know this is way late but maybe someone else is reading with a similar problem. It sounds like allergies, maybe try an allergen-free pellet?