Expert: Roger Lederer - 1/31/2012

Question
QUESTION: I rescued a baby hooded oriole a year and a half ago. The last five months he has been losing feathers around his neck and they don't grow back. I give him live bugs and mealworms and all kinds of fruit. It is too late to release him into the wild because he is tame. He sits on my shoulder and is not afraid of people or dogs. We live in Southern Ca. His parents nest in our palm trees every Summer. I am very attached to him and I do everything possible to keep him healthy. Does anyone know what might be the reason for the loss of feathers?

Thank you
Judy

ANSWER:  There are a whole bunch of reasons the feathers could be falling out and not growing back: parasites, inflammation of feather follicles, allergies, malnutrition, and/or an adverse reaction to photoperiod (in the wild they molt in response to day length; in captivity, artificial light changes that.) So those are some possible reasons.

(I don't mean to be a grinch and I appreciate your rescuing the bird but it's unfortunate that you didn't release him when you could. I also have to note that it is illegal to possess a wild bird without the proper permits.)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. I live in Menifee, Ca. Do you know if there is somewhere I can take him to have him checked out? He is starting to sneeze quite a bit. Since he has been in captivity so long do you think it is too late to let him go this Spring when his parents arrive? I only want what's best for him. Thank you, again, very much for your time.

Judy

Answer
My quick search tells me there is a parrot rescue in Menifee and a Wildlife Rescue in Hemet. Otherwise, call your local wildlife official for info. And you can always take him to a vet. Let him go, yes. He might make it when there are other orioles around. If he does, he'll be able to reproduce which he can't now, so it's worth the gamble, I think.