Nico’s Thread 😊

[kme3388]

Nico is going to start a thread, and just update here so he doesn’t clog the forum. He just went on vacation to Arizona. He loved sitting outside during the day. He really enjoyed the car ride. He loved sitting on my shoulder, and watching the cars pass by. He is now home back in Minnesota. He’s feather plucking worse then I’ve ever seen. I’m hoping it calms down within the next few days. Here’s some photos from his vacation.

 

[foxgloveparrot]

YESS!!
I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE MAKE THREADS FOR THEIR BIRDS!
I'll definitely be following this!
Beautiful boy!

 

[Deleted member 42416]

Beautiful birby and beautiful scenery!

Have you ever tried those birdy plucking vests? I don’t think every bird would be amenable to it, but I’ve even heard of ones that have sacrificial chewable stuff attached like parrot safe would chips or cork.

I am praying for his plucking to stop!

 

[Zoruace]

I can never get enough of Niko really..
He so CUTTE

 

[kme3388]

Nico unfortunately ripped out every single tail feather except for one. It looks rather odd but I still adore him the same. He did this immediately when we got home from Arizona. It’s calmed down now. I felt bad because I don’t understand why he just randomly started destroying feathers, and ripping them out. He did it right in front of me for the first time. He really needs a birdie psychologist. He really does hurt himself when we is stressed. I cried because I couldn’t stop it. I tried to hold him close to calm him, and he just continued. Nico really doesn’t deal with stress well. Here are some photos of what he did. He broke off piece by piece.

 

[Scott]

Lovely, respectful idea creating Nico's thread! Plucking one of the most vexing behaviors, have you read this superb narrative? https://www.parrotforums.com/threads/plucking-a-search-for-answers.52217/

 

[kme3388]

i am just hoping he is able to get his tail feathers back. He didn’t bleed which is a huge relief. The photos here show how much he snapped off of his tail feathers. Nico allows me to take photos or look at anything on his body which makes it easy for me to check things to make sure he is okay.

 

[kme3388]

Nico ripped out his last tail feather, and started chewing further down the feather shaft. He did bleed, and is fine now. I have to contact his vet on Monday. Hopefully he turns around. I don't know what triggered his feather destruction.

 

[Deleted member 42416]

Nico ripped out his last tail feather, and started chewing further down the feather shaft. He did bleed, and is fine now. I have to contact his vet on Monday. Hopefully he turns around. I don't know what triggered his feather destruction.

I am so sorry…this is truly frustrating and heart breaking.

 

[kme3388]

He’s still Nico, and window peeping all day everyday. He just doesn’t want tail feathers anymore. Apparently they are overrated.

 

[saxguy64]

Awww, my first ekkie, Patches, had the same theories on tail feathers. I'd get so excited every time he started growing in a new one, then it was gone. Every time. Disappointing and heartbreaking, every single time. We was however, the most handsome boy I've ever seen. Your Nico reminds me a lot of him Have to admit, I have a soft spot for pluckers.

 

[kme3388]

Awww, my first ekkie, Patches, had the same theories on tail feathers. I'd get so excited every time he started growing in a new one, then it was gone. Every time. Disappointing and heartbreaking, every single time. We was however, the most handsome boy I've ever seen. Your Nico reminds me a lot of him Have to admit, I have a soft spot for pluckers.

Thank you so much for your kind words. Because of how Nico looks people naturally ask what's wrong with him. I don't know how many people sense I've had Nico have asked me why I don't just put him up for adoption because of how he looks/acts. I don't think they realize I adopted him with these challenges knowingly. I can be so sassy, and over protective when people make comments about him being ugly, or so ugly he's cute. It's nice to be on a forum where people just understand!!!

 

[saxguy64]

The people who make those kind of comments just don't get it. To me it's no different than saying a human child who's a burn victim, or disabled, or whatever makes them look different, should be sent away, or that it's your fault. Small minds.

BTW, I also have a disabled son. People can say what they want, but he's an accomplished wheelchair athlete, and competes nationally and wins. More than most of them can say about their "perfect," able bodied kids.

So, I can speak with some level of authority on this- Nico is gorgeous, just like my Patches was, and no closed minded yahoo will ever convince me otherwise. Be proud of your green dino, he's perfect just the way he is!

 

[Laurasea]

Brrrr...this Florida girl looking out your Minnesota window!
Though I love snow and do miss it. Nico has such a nice big window.

I see your nice sleek set up, but then I think of all the stuff I'd have to attach to it to keep my quakers from screaming bloody murder. My quakers are more marauders!
: one who roams from place to place making attacks and raids in search of plunder :
I don't think eekies are as into screaming? Must be refreshing to have quieter parrot friends. Unless I'm just clueless and they are noisy?

No shame in showing some skin. Definitely still a cutie

 

[kme3388]

Brrrr...this Florida girl looking out your Minnesota window!
Though I love snow and do miss it. Nico has such a nice big window.

I see your nice sleek set up, but then I think of all the stuff I'd have to attach to it to keep my quakers from screaming bloody murder. My quakers are more marauders!
: one who roams from place to place making attacks and raids in search of plunder :
I don't think eekies are as into screaming? Must be refreshing to have quieter parrot friends. Unless I'm just clueless and they are noisy?

No shame in showing some skin. Definitely still a cutie

Nico isn't as loud as my conure. He tends to only scream if myself, or my husband are outside (he'd have to able to see us), and when he wants to be held. My conure on the other hand.... I would never put her in the window Listening to a frog horn go off would sound more appealing and be more delightful.

 

[kme3388]

Hey everyone, we are in the process of moving. A lot of our furniture is out of our house now. Nico today has ripped out more feathers. He is starting to have no wing feathers either. I can’t get him to calm down. I did put in a message to his vet, and I also put on his hoodie in hopes that it prevents him from continuing to rip out feathers. He is just mad!!! I don’t even know what to do. Does anyone know how to help until his vet gets back to me?

 

[StormyPica]

Keep the sweater on if at all possible. Keep him warm and give him something calming, like tea.

 

[kme3388]

Keep the sweater on if at all possible. Keep him warm and give him something calming, like tea.

Do you know if I should ignore it? Not that it isn't important but I don't want to make it worse by giving it attention. I have left his sweater on. I wasn't sure if it was safe to do this overnight. I've had it on him to keep him warm. I've never left it on him all night. He is currently trying to do everything to get it off.

 

[StormyPica]

Do you know if I should ignore it? Not that it isn't important but I don't want to make it worse by giving it attention. I have left his sweater on. I wasn't sure if it was safe to do this overnight. I've had it on him to keep him warm. I've never left it on him all night. He is currently trying to do everything to get it off.

Don't leave it on overnight, too much of a risk. Try to keep him near a heat source, plucked birds can get cold. Ignore it sometimes, like if he tries to get you and you don't come and he starts plucking, but if he's just plucking randomly, you can give attention.

The most important thing to do when he plucks is redirection, with training or a game, something positive that isn't a reward.

 

[kme3388]

Unfortunately, Nico has learned how to undo the velcro on his hoodie, and he can now get it off immediately. He is a smart ekkie