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Post by sundevil2011 on Jan 29, 2010 23:34:45 GMT -5
I just recently acquired a cockatiel in a peculiar way from a past owner who could not take care of him. The poor thing had clipped wings, which is fine, but I have never seen a bird with cut tail feathers! Anyways, after two full days of being out of a cage free to fly around in my apartment, I finally got one and put him in it last night. This is where my question begins. He has been obsessively cleaning himself/scratching himself all over, but especially concentrating on one spot on his back. I noticed he had a large bald spot on his body under his wings extending down toward his tail, covered with little white bumps (which I think may be new feathers starting to grow in but I am not sure). I have included a video that I took of him cleaning/itching and the bald spot is visible when he lifts up his feathers that cover it. I have not found any feathers that he has pulled out, which makes me think they were pulled before he came to me. I am not familiar with molting birds, but I was thinking this could possibly be a molt. I was also told by local petsmart ladies that he could just be stressed out, so I am trying to leave him alone in there and just talking to him outside the cage. He seems to be biting me a lot harder and started hissing at me  I hope he is ok, I want to play with him if he wants to. Should I leave him be? Will he not want to play with humans anymore if I delay playing with him until he is not stressed out anymore? What are some signs that he has mites? He definitely looks like he's itching himself a lot. I have grown attached to Buddy and I want him to be ok...please any information about bald spots and what I can do to help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.  |
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Post by cherylrowland on Feb 7, 2010 9:02:56 GMT -5
Are you seeing feathers, large and small, in the cage? That is a good indicator of molting, but I would take Buddy to an Avian vet to ensure that he doesn't have mites or any other problems. Yes, he could be stressed? But it sounds like he definately needs to see a vet. Also, get a fine spray mist bottle and spray him at least once a day. This will help with bird dander and will more than likely give him some relief, if he has dry skin. Cockatiels are very sensitive to the environment they are in, especially if you live in a low humidity area. You can also, put a small dish of water in the bottom of his cage to let him bathe himself when he wants. But my first suggestion is to see an Avian vet.
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Post by Just Ask Jan! on Feb 21, 2010 11:08:51 GMT -5
The photo indicates that he is preening his feathers which is perfectly normal. Spray daily or more often and this will encourage preening. The white feathers on the skin are the powder feathers which he rubs on and then distributes to remaining feathers. Preening is how they keep clean.
If flights are trimmed, often the tail feathers get broken (cracked in half) These can be pulled and new feathers will come in sooner.
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Post by amazinganderman on Dec 29, 2010 0:26:25 GMT -5
Hi My Tiel does the same thing, But when he bites the one spot on his back he chirps as if it hurts. I have look at the spot and it looks as he has a rash or a few red bumps. He has no other signs of illness but the biting the one spot over and over. Does your tiel chip like it hurts? I just recently acquired a cockatiel in a peculiar way from a past owner who could not take care of him. The poor thing had clipped wings, which is fine, but I have never seen a bird with cut tail feathers! Anyways, after two full days of being out of a cage free to fly around in my apartment, I finally got one and put him in it last night. This is where my question begins. He has been obsessively cleaning himself/scratching himself all over, but especially concentrating on one spot on his back. I noticed he had a large bald spot on his body under his wings extending down toward his tail, covered with little white bumps (which I think may be new feathers starting to grow in but I am not sure). I have included a video that I took of him cleaning/itching and the bald spot is visible when he lifts up his feathers that cover it. I have not found any feathers that he has pulled out, which makes me think they were pulled before he came to me. I am not familiar with molting birds, but I was thinking this could possibly be a molt. I was also told by local petsmart ladies that he could just be stressed out, so I am trying to leave him alone in there and just talking to him outside the cage. He seems to be biting me a lot harder and started hissing at me I hope he is ok, I want to play with him if he wants to. Should I leave him be? Will he not want to play with humans anymore if I delay playing with him until he is not stressed out anymore? What are some signs that he has mites? He definitely looks like he's itching himself a lot. I have grown attached to Buddy and I want him to be ok...please any information about bald spots and what I can do to help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. |
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Post by Just Ask Jan! on Dec 29, 2010 9:29:13 GMT -5
A spot that is itchy and red and does not regrow feathers after molting should be checked by an avian vet.
Jan
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Post by marieandchirpy on Dec 29, 2010 10:50:45 GMT -5
Cockatiels preen themselves on a regular basis to keep their feathers groomed. If your bird is molting then that would explain the screaming because he is hitting molting feathers as they grow in. When they molt blood feathers grow in. The shaft of the blood feathers contain blood and nerves and when Cockatiels hit them with their beaks it will hurt.
As for the red spot, it is a good idea to have it checked by a vet.
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Post by mrshilobird on Dec 29, 2010 11:16:15 GMT -5
Hello, I am new to this site. I love my Cockatiel Shilo so much!! He was a birthday gift from my husband. He is just a baby, approx 6. months old. Already he says many different phrases, such as "I'm such a pretty pretty birdy" "come here" "what ya doing" and wolf whistles, and of course i've taught him to whistle "jingle bells" :0) I'm working on "I love you"
Right now he is in moulting stage, approx how long does this last ? He is also growing some new tail feathers, A couple of the longer tail feathers were broken due to him trying to fly. The pet store had clipped his wings.
I spend alot of time with Shilo, I can't believe how loving and sweet he is! Shilo is no doubt the most wonderful gift that I could ever have recieved!
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Post by marieandchirpy on Dec 29, 2010 12:51:18 GMT -5
Hello, I am new to this site. I love my Cockatiel Shilo so much!! He was a birthday gift from my husband. He is just a baby, approx 6. months old. Already he says many different phrases, such as "I'm such a pretty pretty birdy" "come here" "what ya doing" and wolf whistles, and of course i've taught him to whistle "jingle bells" :0) I'm working on "I love you" Right now he is in moulting stage, approx how long does this last ? He is also growing some new tail feathers, A couple of the longer tail feathers were broken due to him trying to fly. The pet store had clipped his wings. I spend alot of time with Shilo, I can't believe how loving and sweet he is! Shilo is no doubt the most wonderful gift that I could ever have recieved! Molting takes several weeks. As for his clipped wings, they will fall off because he is molting and grow back fully flighted. It might be a good idea to not clip them while he is learning to fly, because it will help him gain confidence in himself. Just be careful he doesn't have an accident. Yeah tiels are very loving. Even though my Chirpy will not let me touch her, she loves to sit on my lap and cuddle up to my feet and arm. Here are some youtube videos of Chirpy with my feet and arm: As you can see Cockatiels are very affectionate. |
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I hope he is ok, I want to play with him if he wants to. 
