New young BG bald crop

[macawluv]

Hello, My husband and I bought a BG macaw last Saturday. She is 5 months old today. I noticed earlier in the week that her crop is bald. Is that normal? I've searched the internet but not found much about how a full crop looks.. The breeder said that when it is really full you can see it, and this little one gorges at times, that is when I notice it. The vet thought she was a little under weight- she has gained weight since I got her and is now 925 grams.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum.

Also, many congrats on your new family member!!

No, at 5 months there should be no bald spot. Are you possibly confusing the crop with the keel bone/breast bone? Now those 'can' be visible at times.

 

[macawluv]

Thanks! We are excited. No, I am not confusing the crop. There are no feathers or anything in her cage... I've never seen her pick and we have her out a lot on her play gym. Toys in the cage etc. I will take a photo when I get home. Very sad, if she is plucking so soon will she ever stop?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Pictures would be SO very helpful! Here are some of my Niko when he was quite young.

4-5 months in the first 2 photos:




A wee little Niko, at around 9 weeks or so, and yes, then the crop looked (was) rather bald, especially when full:

 

[macawluv]

empty

empty

empty

Full crop

Full crop

I can only see it if I move her feathers and it is very small when she is empty. What do you all think? Thanks!

 

[Scott]

She's beautiful and in apparent good feather. I LOVE the second pic; looks like the pose for a mug-shot!!

Haven't handled a Macaw for a while, but looks normal. You'll have a better answer from a current Mac owner.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Scott is absolutely right. She looks fantastic, nothing to worry about.

Super sweet looking girl you got there. What's her name?

 

[Dopey]

Beautiful bird. Awesome colors and feathering.

 

[macawluv]

Ok great, thank you all! I was really worried. Her name is Kailani-we call her Kai, in Hawaiian it means Ocean and Sky. My husband is from Hawaii, hence the name The first photo does look like a mug shot! I think she felt it was, she didn't want to sit still for these photos. She is very sweet- but then very naughty. She has started really crushing our fingers when we try to let her gently beak them... :/